On Friday, 26 April, the Minister for Defence Andris Sprūds met with the Rector of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, Andris Vaivads, at the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre. During the meeting, a cooperation agreement was signed, renewing the cooperation between the VUAS and the Ministry of Defence, which was established in 2021.
"The experience and knowledge of Latvian scientists, as well as the capacity and capability of the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre, are a testimony to Latvia's potential in space technology development. The security implications of space technologies are increasingly on the agenda of NATO and the European Union. The agreement we have signed today marks a joint commitment for further cooperation between the defense and science sectors in the field of space technologies," said Minister for Defence Andris Sprūds.
To ensure scientific capacity and the development of space-related projects in Latvia, the meeting discussed the cooperation with Ventspils University of Applied Sciences within the European Union and NATO Science and Technology Organisation (NATO STO) programmes.
The two officials also discussed potential cooperation in the training of National Armed Forces soldiers in the field of communications.
At the same time, Andris Sprūds visited Ventspils and Ventspils region, where he visited the Ventspils City Council and met with representatives of Ventspils city and Ventspils region Civil Protection Commission of cooperation areas.
Photos by Ministry of Defence