Login
Login

Enlargement of the European Space Agency#Possible future cooperation

[[File:Location ESA member countries.svg|thumb|ESA member states, CA and ECA states:

{{legend|#5B9ED7|ESA member states}}

{{legend|#5FB4A1|ECS states}}

{{legend|#3D9345|Signed Cooperation Agreement}}

{{legend|blue|Associated states}}

]]

The European Space Agency (ESA) was founded in 1975 when the European Space Research Organisation (ESRO) merged with the European Launcher Development Organisation (ELDO). The ESA Convention was signed by the ESRO and ELDO members on 30 May 1975 and by Ireland on 31 December 1975. Canada signed a Cooperation Agreement on 9 December 1978. The Convention entered into force on 30 October 1980 after the ratification procedures in the 10 ESRO/ELDO members were finalised.

Current membership

The current membership of the European Space Agency includes 23 member states, three associate members and one cooperating state:

class="wikitable sortable"
State

!Cooperation Agreement

!ECS Agreement

!PECS Charter

!ESA Convention signature

!Ratification{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Law_at_ESA/ESA_Convention |title=ESA Convention / Law at ESA / About Us / ESA |website=Esa.int |date=2014-02-07 |access-date=2016-02-11}}

!National Program

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Austria}}

| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |1979 for associate membership

12 April 1984{{cite web|url=http://download.esa.int/docs/LEX-L/ESA-Ratification-acts/Austria_(30_Dec_1986).pdf |title=BUNDESGESETZBLATT FÜR DIE REPUBLIK ÖSTERREICH |website=Esa.int |access-date=2016-02-11}}30 December 1986FFG
{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Belgium}}

| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |ESA Founding member

| 30 May 1975

3 October 1978BELSPO
style="background:#fec"

|{{Flag|Canada}} {{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/esapub/hsr/HSR_25.pdf|title=Canada and The European Space Agency Three Decades of Cooperation|author=Lydia Dotto|website=Esa.int|access-date=2016-02-11}}

|9 December 1978{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/esapub/bulletin/bullet96/LECLERC.pdf|title=Canada and ESA: 20 Years of Cooperation|website=Esa.int|access-date=2016-02-11}}
January 1984
May 1989
January 2000
15 December 2010{{Cite web|url=http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/programs/esa/default.asp|title=Cooperation Agreement between Canada and the European Space Agency (ESA)|last=media|first=Government of Canada, Canadian Space Agency, Directions of communications, Information services and new|website=Canadian Space Agency website|language=en|access-date=2018-02-20}}

|

| CSA
{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Czechia}}

|1996

|24 November 2003

|24 November 2004

8 July 2008{{cite web|url=http://download.esa.int/docs/LEX-L/ESA-Ratification-acts/Ratification_Czech-Republic.pdf |title=Rozeslána dne 6. října 2009 |website=Esa.int |access-date=2016-02-11}}12 August 2008through MoT
{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Denmark}}

| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |ESA Founding member

| 30 May 1975

15 September 1977DTU Space
{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Estonia}}

|{{dts|20 June 2007}}{{cite web | url = http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/Estonia_signs_Cooperation_Agreement_with_ESA | title = Estonia signs Cooperation Agreement with ESA | access-date=6 September 2014 | date = 26 June 2007 | publisher = European Space Agency}}

|{{dts|10 November 2009}}{{cite web | url = http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/Estonia_becomes_fifth_ESA_European_Cooperating_State | title = Estonia becomes fifth ESA European Cooperating State |access-date=6 September 2014 | date = 12 November 2009 | publisher = European Space Agency}}

|{{dts|22 September 2010}}{{cite web | url = http://www.investinestonia.com/en/news/dozen-estonian-companies-to-create-solutions-for-european-space-agency | title = Dozen Estonian companies to create solutions for European Space Agency | publisher = Estonian Investment Agency | date = 22 September 2010 | access-date = 2 July 2014}}

4 February 20151 September 2015{{cite web|url=http://www.eas.ee/kosmos/en/estonian-space-office/news/article/460-estonia-is-full-member-of-esa-from-1-of-september-2015 |title=Estonia is a full member of ESA starting from 1st of September 2015 | Estonian Space Office |website=Eas.ee |access-date=2016-02-11}}ESO
{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Finland}}

| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |1987 for associate membership

22 March 1994{{cite web|url=http://download.esa.int/docs/LEX-L/ESA-Ratification-acts/Finland_(1_Jan_1995).pdf |title=Asetus Suomen liittymisestä Euroopan avaruusjarjestöa koskevaan yleissopimukseen ja sen liitannaisehtoihin tehdyn sopimuksen voimaansaattamisesta |website=Esa.int |access-date=2016-02-11}}1 January 1995through MoEAE
{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|France}}

| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |ESA Founding member

| 30 May 1975

30 October 1980CNES
{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Germany}}

| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |ESA Founding member

|30 May 1975

|26 July 1977

|DLR

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Greece}}

|January 2001

|N/A

|N/A

19 July 2004{{cite web|url=http://download.esa.int/docs/LEX-L/ESA-Ratification-acts/Greece_(9_March_2005).pdf |title=Hellenic Republic : Ratification |website=Esa.int |access-date=2016-02-11}}9 March 2005HSC
{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Hungary}}

|{{dts|April 1991}}{{cite web | url = http://pecs.esa.int/node/104 | title = Hungary and ESA sign PECS Agreement for another five years | publisher = European Space Agency | date = 11 November 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100209045148/http://pecs.esa.int/node/104 | archive-date = 9 February 2010 }}{{cite press release | url = http://www.esa.int/For_Media/Press_Releases/ESA_Poland_cooperation_agreement |title = ESA/Poland cooperation agreement | date = 28 January 1994|access-date=6 September 2014 | publisher = European Space Agency}}

|{{dts|7 April 2003}}{{cite book | chapter-url = http://www.esa.int/esapub/annuals/annual03/ar3_agree_signed.pdf | chapter = Agreements 2003 | title = ESA Annual Report 2003 | publisher = European Space Agency | pages = 112–113 }}

|1st: {{dts|5 November 2003}}{{cite web | url = http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Industry/Industry_how_to_do_business/Hungary_and_the_Czech_Republic_sign_Cooperating_State_agreements_with_ESA | title = Hungary and the Czech Republic sign ECS agreements with ESA |access-date=6 September 2014 | date = 4 December 2003 | publisher = European Space Agency}}
2nd: {{dts|26 September 2008}}{{cite web | url = http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Plan_for_European_Cooperating_States/Hungary_and_ESA_sign_PECS_Agreement_for_another_five_years | title = Hungary and ESA sign PECS Agreement for another five years | access-date =30 January 2013 | date = 11 November 2008 | publisher = European Space Agency}}
3rd: {{dts|17 October 2013}}{{cite web | url = http://www.nih.gov.hu/nemzetkozi-tevekenyseg/hirek-nagyvilagbol-tet/europai-urugynokseg | title = Extension of ECS Agreement between ESA and Hungary | access-date = 21 October 2013 | date = 11 November 2008 | publisher = National Innovation Office | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140309160122/http://www.nih.gov.hu/nemzetkozi-tevekenyseg/hirek-nagyvilagbol-tet/europai-urugynokseg | archive-date = 9 March 2014 }}

24 February 20154 November 2015{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/Hungary_becomes_ESA_s_22nd_Member_State |title=Hungary becomes ESA's 22nd Member State / Welcome to ESA / About Us / ESA |website=Esa.int |access-date=2016-02-11}}HSO
{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Ireland}} Ireland is considered initial signatory, but since it was not member of neither ESRO nor ELDO (the precursor organisations to ESA) the convention entered into force when the last of the other 10 founders ratified it.

| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |ESA Founding member

|31 December 1975

|10 December 1980

|Enterprise Ireland

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Italy}}

| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |ESA Founding member

|30 May 1975

|20 February 1978

|ASI

style="background:LemonChiffon"

|{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Latvia}}

|{{dts|23 July 2009}}{{cite news|date=23 July 2009|title=Līgums ar Kosmosa aģentūru liks tiekties pēc augstākiem rezultātiem|language=lv|work=Diena.lv|url=http://www.diena.lv/lat/politics/hot/parakstis-ligumu-par-sadarbibu-kosmosa-joma|access-date=24 July 2009}}

|{{dts|19 March 2013}}{{cite web|title=Latvia becomes seventh ESA European Cooperating State|url=http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/Latvia_becomes_seventh_ESA_European_Cooperating_State|access-date=19 March 2013|work=esa.int|publisher=ESA}}

|{{dts|30 January 2015}}{{cite web|date=31 January 2015|title=Signature of the PECS Charter between ESA and Latvia|url=http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2015/01/Signature_of_the_PECS_Charter_between_ESA_and_Latvia2|access-date=31 January 2015|publisher=ESA}}

|

|

|LSO

style="background:LemonChiffon"

|{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Lithuania}}

|7 October 2010{{Cite web |title=Lithuania signs Cooperation Agreement |url=https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/Lithuania_signs_Cooperation_Agreement |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}

|7 October 2014{{Cite web |title=Lithuania becomes eighth ESA European Cooperating State |url=https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/Lithuania_becomes_eighth_ESA_European_Cooperating_State |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}

|28 September 2015{{Cite web |title=Lithuania becomes ESA Associate Member state |url=https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/Lithuania_becomes_ESA_Associate_Member_state |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}

|

|

|LSO

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Luxembourg}}

|September 2000

|N/A

|N/A

6 May 2004{{cite web|url=http://download.esa.int/docs/LEX-L/ESA-Ratification-acts/Luxembourg_(30_June_2005).pdf |title=RECUEIL DE LEGISLATION A –– N° 79 |date=2005-06-17 |website=Esa.int |access-date=2016-02-11}}30 June 2005LSA
{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Netherlands}}

| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |ESA Founding member

|30 May 1975

|6 February 1979

|NSO

{{Flag|Norway}}

| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |1981 for associate membership

|12 December 1985{{cite web|url=http://download.esa.int/docs/LEX-L/ESA-Ratification-acts/Norway_(30_Dec_1986).pdf|title=St.prp. nr. 8 (1986-87)|website=Esa.int|access-date=2016-02-11}}

|30 December 1986

|NSA

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Poland}}

|{{dts|28 January 1994}}{{cite press release | url = http://www.esa.int/esaCP/Pr_4_1994_p_EN.html | title = ESA/Poland cooperation agreement | date = 28 January 1994 | publisher = European Space Agency}}

|{{dts|27 April 2007}}{{cite web | url = http://www.esa.int/esaMI/About_ESA/SEMVKSU681F_0.html | title = Poland becomes the fourth ESA European Cooperating State | date = 4 May 2007 | publisher = European Space Agency}}

|28 April 2008{{cite web |url=https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Plan_for_European_Cooperating_States/Poland_and_ESA_sign_the_Plan_for_European_Cooperating_State |title=Poland and ESA sign the Plan for European Cooperating State |access-date=2022-11-24 |date=5 May 2008 |publisher=European Space Agency}}

13 September 2012{{cite web|url=http://download.esa.int/docs/LEX-L/ESA-Ratification-acts/Ratification_Poland.pdf |title=Agreement Between the European Space Agency and the Government of the Republic of Poland |website=Esa.int |access-date=2016-02-11}}19 November 2012POLSA
{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Portugal}}

|1996

|N/A

|N/A

4 October 2000{{cite web|url=http://download.esa.int/docs/LEX-L/ESA-Ratification-acts/Portugal_(14_Nov_2000).pdf |title=Decreto do Presidente da República n.o 42/2000 |website=Esa.int |access-date=2016-02-11}}14 November 2000PT Space
{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Romania}}

|{{dts|December 1992}}{{cite web | url = http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMI2HMVGJE_Benefits_0.html | title = Romania becomes third ESA European Cooperating State | access-date = 2008-07-17 | date = 27 February 2006 | publisher = European Space Agency}}

|{{dts|17 February 2006}}

|16 February 2007{{cite web|url=http://pecs.esa.int/node/82 |work=ESA PECS |title=Romania |access-date=2008-07-17 |publisher=European Space Agency |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080716083244/http://pecs.esa.int/node/82 |archive-date=2008-07-16 |url-status=dead }}

20 January 2011{{cite web|url=http://download.esa.int/docs/LEX-L/ESA-Ratification-acts/Ratification_Romania.pdf |title=Monitorul Oficial al Romaniei |website=Esa.int |access-date=2016-02-11}}22 December 2011ROSA
style="background:LemonChiffon"

|{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Slovakia}}

|28 April 2010{{Cite web |title=Slovak Republic signs Cooperation Agreement |url=https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/Slovak_Republic_signs_Cooperation_Agreement |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}

|16 February 2015{{Cite web |title=Slovakia becomes ninth ESA European Cooperating State |url=https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/Slovakia_becomes_ninth_ESA_European_Cooperating_State |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}

|4 February 2016{{Cite web |title=Slovakia becomes ESA Associate Member state |url=https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/Slovakia_becomes_ESA_Associate_Member_state |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}

|

|

|SSO

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Slovenia}}

|{{dts|28 May 2008}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ukom.gov.si/eng/slovenia/publications/slovenia-news/6537/6554/|title=Slovenian Government and ESA Sign Cooperation Agreement|date=28 May 2008|publisher=Slovenian Government Communication Office|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608123103/http://www.ukom.gov.si/eng/slovenia/publications/slovenia-news/6537/6554/|archive-date=8 June 2008}}

|{{dts|22 January 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/Slovenia_becomes_sixth_ESA_European_Cooperating_State|title=Slovenia becomes sixth ESA European Cooperating State|date=25 January 2010|publisher=ESA|access-date=6 September 2014}}

|{{dts|30 November 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mvzt.gov.si/nc/en/splosno/cns/news/article/94/6845/049772920e/|title=European Space Agency selects and confirms ten Slovenian proposals|date=3 December 2010|publisher=Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology of Slovenia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510110232/http://www.mvzt.gov.si/nc/en/splosno/cns/news/article/94/6845/049772920e/|archive-date=10 May 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=6 December 2010}}

|18 June 2024{{Cite web |title=ESA - Slovenia to become ESA's 23rd Member State |url=https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/Slovenia_to_become_ESA_s_23rd_Member_State |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}

|1 January 2025{{Cite news|url=https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/Slovenia_becomes_23rd_ESA_Member_State/|title=ESA - Slovenia becomes 23rd ESA Member State|access-date=2025-02-17|language=en}}

|through MoHEST

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Spain}}

| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |ESA Founding member

|30 May 1975

|7 February 1979

|AEE

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Sweden}}

| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |ESA Founding member

| 30 May 1975

6 April 1976SNSA
{{Flag|Switzerland}}

| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |ESA Founding member

| 30 May 1975

19 November 1976SSO
{{Flag|United Kingdom}}

| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |ESA Founding member

|30 May 1975

|28 March 1978

|UKSA

Associate members

The ESA Convention does not require acquisition of the status of an associate member in order for a state to become a full member. The association status is envisaged to allow associate member states to take part in ESA's deliberative bodies and decision-making and also in ESA's programmes and activities. Associate member state firms can bid for and receive contracts to work on programmes. The accord has a provision ensuring a fair industrial return to the associate members.{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/esaCP/Pr_39_2000_p_EN.html |title=ESA and Canada renew cooperation agreement, building on long-term partnership / Press Releases / For Media / ESA |website=Esa.int |access-date=2016-02-11}}

Previously, associate members were Austria, Norway, Finland and Slovenia, all of which later joined ESA as full members.{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/esapub/bulletin/bulletin120/bul120g_poncelet.pdf|title=Enlarging ESA?|website=Esa.int|access-date=2016-02-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-44557417.html |access-date=September 12, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103234531/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-44557417.html |archive-date=November 3, 2012|title=FINLAND BECOMES 14TH MEMBER OF EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY}} Portugal, Greece and Luxembourg skipped associate membership and moved from Cooperation Agreements to full ESA membership. The Czech Republic also skipped associate membership, but it went through the new enlargement process via Cooperation Agreement, ECS Agreement and PECS Charter implementation.

Currently there are three associate members: Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.{{Cite web |title=Latvia becomes ESA Associate Member State |url=https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/Latvia_becomes_ESA_Associate_Member_State |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}

Despite that the provisions in the ESA Convention do not show restrictions that only European states can join,{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/esapub/sp/sp1300/sp1300EN1.pdf|title=Convention of the European Space Agency|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122114906/http://www.esa.int/esapub/sp/sp1300/sp1300EN1.pdf|archive-date=November 22, 2010|url-status=dead|access-date=September 12, 2009}} the ESA Council implements such rule de facto and that is why Canada has only the status of a cooperating state. However, it is integrated with the ESA institutions as tightly as possible for a non-member state.

The ELDO associate member Australia (CSIRO) decided not to continue as an associate member of ESA. Nevertheless, on 5 March 2003 the first of ESA's deep space ground stations in the world opened in Western Australia in an inauguration ceremony.{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMACK2A6BD_index_0.html |title=ESA's first deep space ground station opens in Western Australia / Welcome to ESA / About Us / ESA |website=Esa.int |date=2003-03-05 |access-date=2016-02-11}}

Enlargement

File:European Space Agency Enlargement including Associates.png

After the decision of the ESA Council of 21/22 March 2001 the procedure for accession of the European states was detailed as described here.{{Cite web |url=https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Plan_for_European_Cooperating_States/General_overview |title=Plan for European Cooperating States Overview |access-date=November 24, 2022|publisher=ESA}}

Nations who want to become a full member of ESA do so in 3 stages. First a Cooperation Agreement is signed between the country and ESA. In this stage the country has very limited financial responsibilities. If a country wants to cooperate more fully with ESA it signs a European Cooperating State (ECS) agreement.

The ECS Agreement makes companies based in the country eligible for participation in ESA procurements. The country can also participate in all ESA programmes, except for the Basic Technology Research Programme. While the financial contribution of the country concerned increases, it is still much lower than that of a full member state. The agreement is normally followed by a Plan for European Cooperating State (or PECS Charter).

This is a 5-year program of basic research and development activities aimed at improving the nations' space industry capacity. At the end of the 5-year period, the country can either begin negotiations to become a full member state or an associated state or sign a new PECS Charter.{{cite web|url=http://pecs.esa.int/node/24 |access-date=September 12, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523104757/http://pecs.esa.int/node/24 |archive-date=May 23, 2009|title=General Overview}} ESA is likely to expand quite rapidly in the coming years. Many countries, most of which joined the EU in both 2004 and 2007, have started to cooperate with ESA on various levels.

class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"

|+Progress of all the states that have taken or are taking part in the enlargement process

Applicant state

! Cooperation Agreement

! ECS Agreement

! PECS Charter

! Association agreement signature

! Associated membership

! ESA Convention signature

! Full Membership

! class="unsortable" | National Program

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Austria}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | {{dts|17 October 1979}}

|{{dts|12 April 1984}}

|{{dts|30 December 1986}}

|ALR

{{Flag|Norway}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | {{dts|April 1981}}

|{{dts|12 December 1985}}

|{{dts|30 December 1986}}

|NSA

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Finland}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | {{dts|1 January 1987}}

|{{dts|22 March 1994}}

|{{dts|1 January 1995}}

|through TEM

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Portugal}}

|{{dts|1996}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|{{dts|4 October 2000}}

|{{dts|14 November 2000}}

|PT Space

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Greece}}

|{{dts|January 2001}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|{{dts|19 July 2004}}

|{{dts|9 March 2005}}

|HSC

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Luxembourg}}

|{{dts|September 2000}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|{{dts|6 May 2004}}

|{{dts|30 June 2005}}

|LSA

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Czechia}}

|{{dts|1996}}

|{{dts|24 November 2003}}

|{{dts|24 November 2004}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|{{dts|8 July 2008}}

|{{dts|12 August 2008}}

|through MoT

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Romania}}

|{{dts|December 1992}}

|{{dts|17 February 2006}}

|{{dts|16 February 2007}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|{{dts|20 January 2011}}

|{{dts|23 December 2011}}

|ROSA

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Poland}}

|{{dts|28 January 1994}}

|{{dts|27 April 2007}}

|{{dts|28 April 2008}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|{{dts|13 September 2012}}

|{{dts|19 November 2012}}

|POLSA

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Estonia}}

|{{dts|20 June 2007}}

|{{dts|10 November 2009}}

|{{dts|22 September 2010}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|{{dts|4 February 2015}}

|{{dts|1 September 2015}}

|ESO

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Hungary}}

|{{dts|April 1991}}

|{{dts|7 April 2003}}

|1st:
{{dts|5 November 2003}} 2nd:
{{dts|26 September 2008}} 3rd:
{{dts|17 October 2013}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|{{dts|24 February 2015}}

|{{dts|4 November 2015}}

|HSO

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Slovenia}}

|{{dts|28 May 2008}}

|{{dts|22 January 2010}}

|{{dts|30 November 2010}}

|{{dts|5 July 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/Slovenia_signs_Accession_Agreement |title=Slovenia signs Association Agreement |last=esa |access-date=12 October 2017 |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416152327/https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/Slovenia_signs_Association_Agreement |url-status=live }}

|{{dts|1 December 2016}}

|{{dts|18 June 2024}}

|{{dts|1 January 2025}}

|through MoHEST

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Latvia}}

|{{dts|23 July 2009}}

|{{dts|19 March 2013}}

|{{dts|30 January 2015}}

|{{dts|30 June 2020}}

|{{dts|27 July 2020}}

|

|

|LSO

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Lithuania}}

|{{dts|7 October 2010}}

|{{dts|7 October 2014}}

|{{dts|28 September 2015}}

|{{dts|28 April 2021}}

|{{dts|21 May 2021}}

|

|

|LSA

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Slovakia}}

|{{dts|28 April 2010}}

|{{dts|16 February 2015}}

|{{dts|4 February 2016}}

|{{dts|14 June 2022}}

|{{dts|13 October 2022}}

|

|

|SSO

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Bulgaria}}

|{{N/A}}

|{{dts|8 April 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/Bulgaria_becomes_tenth_ESA_European_Cooperating_State|title=Bulgaria becomes tenth ESA European Cooperating State|website=Esa.int|access-date=2016-02-11}}

|{{dts|4 February 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mi.government.bg/bg/news/balgariya-podpisa-harta-s-evropeiskata-kosmicheska-agenciya-sporazumenieto-za-evropeiska-kooperirashta-da-2463.html|title=Bulgaria signs PECS Charter|date=4 February 2016|website=www.mi.government.bg|access-date=2016-02-04}}

|

|

|

|

|SRTI

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Cyprus}}

|{{dts|27 August 2009}}{{cite news|url=http://www.famagusta-gazette.com/default.asp?sdetail=9458|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102133129/http://www.famagusta-gazette.com/default.asp?sdetail=9458|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 January 2013|title=Cyprus signs space agreement|date=28 August 2009|work=Famagusta Gazette Online|access-date=30 August 2009}}

|{{dts|6 July 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/Cyprus_becomes_11th_ESA_European_Cooperating_State|title=Cyprus becomes 11th ESA European Cooperating State}}

|{{dts|2017}}{{Cite web |title=Εθνική Στρατηγική Διαστήματος {{!}} Τμήμα Ηλεκτρονικών Επικοινωνιών |url=https://dec.dmrid.gov.cy/dmrid/DEC/ws_dec.nsf/spacestrategy_el/spacestrategy_el?OpenDocument |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=dec.dmrid.gov.cy}}

|

|

|

|

|through MoCW

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Croatia}}

|{{dts|19 February 2018}}{{Cite web |title=Croatia signs Cooperation Agreement |url=https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/Croatia_signs_Cooperation_Agreement |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}

|{{dts|23 March 2023}}{{Cite web |title=Croatia becomes 12th ESA European Cooperating State |url=https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/Croatia_becomes_12th_ESA_European_Cooperating_State |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}

|{{dts|16 August 2023}}{{Cite web |title=Croatia becomes ESA European Cooperating State |url=https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/Croatia_becomes_ESA_European_Cooperating_State |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}

|

|

|

|

|through MoSE

{{Flag|Turkey}}

|{{dts|15 July 2004}}{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Industry/ESA_signs_Cooperation_Agreement_with_Turkey|title=ESA signs Cooperation Agreement with Turkey|date=6 September 2004|publisher=European Space Agency|access-date=6 September 2014}}

|

|

|

|

|

|

|TUA

{{Flag|Ukraine}}

|{{dts|25 January 2008}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nkau.gov.ua/nsau/newsnsau.nsf/HronolE/54F1C600559E994CC22573DB00489EE7?OpenDocument&Lang=E|title=A cooperation agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the European Space Agency was signed in Paris|publisher=State Space Agency of Ukraine|access-date=25 January 2008}}

|

|

|

|

|

|

|SSAU

{{Flag|Israel}}

|{{dts|30 January 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/Israel_signs_Cooperation_Agreement|title=Israel signs Cooperation Agreement|date=31 January 2011|work=ESA.int|access-date=6 September 2014}}

|

|

|

|

|

|

|ISA

{{Flagicon|European Union}}{{Flag|Malta}}

|{{dts|20 February 2012}}{{cite news|url=http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/Malta_signs_Cooperation_Agreement|title=Malta signs Cooperation Agreement|date=23 February 2012|work=ESA|access-date=6 September 2014}}

|

|

|

|

|

|

|MCST{{cite news|url=http://www.earsc.eu/news/malta-exploring-ways-of-collaborating-with-european-space-agency|title=Malta exploring ways of collaborating with European Space Agency|date=20 June 2009|work=EARSC|access-date=12 December 2009|archive-date=27 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627052638/http://www.earsc.eu/news/malta-exploring-ways-of-collaborating-with-european-space-agency|url-status=dead}}

=Possible future cooperation=

The political perspective of the European Union (EU) had been to make ESA an agency of the EU by 2014,{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/esapub/br/br268/br268.pdf |title=Agenda : A Document by the ESA Director General and the ESA Directors – October 2006 |website=Esa.int |access-date=2016-02-11}} however, this date was not met. The EU is already the largest single donor to ESA's budget and non-ESA EU states are observers at ESA.

Three non-EU nations — Israel, Turkey and Ukraine — have cooperation agreements with ESA. Agency officials consider the prospects of full membership for these three countries as remote at the current time.{{when|date=March 2023}}

However, ESA ministers instructed agency officials to begin discussions with Australia, Israel and South Africa on future association agreements with ESA. The ministers noted that “concrete cooperation is at an advanced stage” with these nations and that “prospects for mutual benefits are existing”.{{cite web|url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2015/04/13/55053/ |title=ESA Welcomes New Members, Deepens Ties With Other States at Parabolic Arc |website=Parabolicarc.com |date=2015-04-13 |access-date=2016-02-11}}

Besides EU countries, the EFTA members Norway and Switzerland are also members of ESA. Neither the remaining EFTA member states of Iceland and Liechtenstein nor the EU candidates not listed above have publicly expressed their intention to participate in the European Space Agency's activities.

In 2016, certain ESA programs were extended to Eastern Partnership member states. Armenia, Georgia and Moldova joined the ESA's [http://www.eo4sd-eastern.eu/ Earth Observation for Eastern Partnership initiative]. This move brought new perspectives to develop cooperation between the ESA and Eastern European countries. The project aims to achieve an increase in the uptake of satellite-based environmental information, while promoting regional cooperation and knowledge exchange.{{Cite web|url=http://eo4sd.esa.int/2017/09/05/expanding-eo4sd-scope-to-a-new-region/|title=Expanding EO4SD scope to EU eastern neighbourhood | earth observation for sustainable development}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.eo4sd-eastern.eu/#overview|title=Welcome to earth observation for eastern partnership | earth observation for eastern partnership}}

See also

{{Portal |Spaceflight}}

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Use British English|date=January 2014}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:European Space Agency}}

Category:European Space Agency

Category:Enlargement of intergovernmental organizations