ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN

THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC

AND

THE EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY

The Slovak Republic (hereinafter referred to as “Slovakia”),

And

The European Space Agency (hereinafter referred to as “the Agency” or “ESA”) an

intergovernmental organisation established by the Convention for the establishment

of a European Space Agency, which was opened for signature in Paris on 30 May

1975 and which entered into force on 30 October 1980 (hereinafter referred to as “the

Convention”),

hereinafter individually referred to as “Party” or collectively as “the Parties”,

RECALLING that the purpose of the Agency is to provide for and to promote, for

exclusively peaceful purposes, cooperation among European States in space

research and technology and their space applications,

NOTING that space has become a significant factor in technological, economic,

scientific and cultural development,

CONVINCED of the benefits of sustaining and enhancing the level of international

cooperation in space activities for exclusively peaceful purposes,

CONSIDERING that Slovakia is, since 1 May 2004, a Member of the European Union

(hereinafter referred to as “EU”) and is thereby associated to the definition of an overall

European Space Policy, and is also participating with full rights and obligations in the

EU Copernicus and Galileo programmes,

HAVING REGARD to the successful results of the cooperation achieved under the

Agreement between the Government of the Slovak Republic and the European Space

Agency concerning space cooperation for peaceful purposes, signed on 28 April 2010,

and which entered into force on 26 May 2010,

HAVING REGARD to the enhanced cooperation established under the European

Cooperating State (hereinafter referred to as “ECS”) Agreement between the Slovak

Republic and the European Space Agency signed on 16 February 2015, which entered

into force upon Slovakia’s subscription to the Plan for European Cooperating States

Charter between the Slovak Republic and the European Space Agency, signed on 4

February 2016, and which was subsequently extended for a 18-month period, i.e. until

3 August 2022,

HAVING REGARD to the Resolution on industrial policy measures to achieve a

successful integration of European States in the frame of ESA, adopted by the Agency

Council on 13 December 2018 (ESA/C/R/CCLXXVII/Res.1 (Final)), by which the

Agency introduced an improved cooperative approach designed for European non-

Member States with a view to their possible accession to the Convention,

CONSIDERING the wish expressed by Slovakia to strengthen its cooperation with the

Agency within the frame of the above mentioned improved cooperative approach, and

the acceptance by the Council of the Agency (hereinafter referred to as “Council”) of

this request,

HAVING REGARD to the Convention and, in particular, its Articles II, XIV.1 and XIV.3,

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

ARTICLE 1

GENERAL

1. Slovakia hereby becomes an Associate Member of the Agency.

2. Slovakia hereby acknowledges that the Agency may establish Cooperation and

Association Agreements with other non-Member States. Slovakia further agrees

that, at all levels of its cooperation with the Agency as an Associate Member, it will

act in conformity with the purpose for which the Agency was created, as defined in

the Convention, in particular the exploration and utilisation of space for exclusively

peaceful purposes.

ARTICLE 2

BENEFITS AND PARTICIPATION

1. Slovakia shall participate in and benefit from, subject to other provisions of the

present Agreement, the Basic Activities executed under the Agency’s General

Budget, except the item “Technology Development”.

2. Slovakia may participate in the Agency’s optional programmes, pursuant to the

conditions established in Article 4 below, as well as in further parts of the Agency’s

activities and programmes or operational activities, by providing experiments or

observation facilities, pursuant to the conditions established in Article 7 below.

ARTICLE 3

FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

1. Slovakia shall contribute annually to the Agency’s Basic Activities expenditure

under the General Budget. This contribution shall represent 70% of its contribution

level shown in the scale calculated on the basis used for the Member States of the

Agency, and adopted in accordance with Article XIII.1 of the Convention. An amount

representing 70 % of the latter contribution shall be used by the Agency to provide

increased support in terms of training, organisation of events and advice, with a

view to achieve a successful integration of Slovakia in the frame of the Agency, the

further development of sustainable and competitive industrial capabilities, and their

integration in the space supply chain. For avoidance of doubt, Slovakia’s

contribution, referred to in this paragraph, shall start accruing on a time proportional

basis from the date of entry into force of this Agreement, pursuant to Article 18

below.

2. Slovakia shall contribute to the expenditure of the activities and programmes in

which it participates, in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 below.

3. Slovakia’s contributions, as provided for in this Article, shall be updated and paid in

conformity with the rules and procedures in force in the Agency for all Member

States.

ARTICLE 4

PARTICIPATION IN OPTIONAL PROGRAMMES

For the purpose of the execution of each Agency optional programme, for which the

respective Member States concerned have unanimously approved Slovakia’s

participation, Slovakia shall from the date of that approval have the rights and

obligations of a Participating State, as set forth in the Declaration concerning the

programme in question, in the applicable implementing rules and in any other

decisions governing the execution of said programme. In particular, Slovakia shall

contribute to cover the expenditure resulting from the execution of said programme in

accordance with the provisions of the Declaration, and of any subsequent revision of

that Declaration by the Participating States on the occasion of meetings of the

Agency’s Council or of the Council’s subordinate bodies. Slovakia intends to contribute

to optional programmes in which it participates by the end of 2022, a minimum of

1.500.000 Euros at 2018 e.c. per year, it being understood that the sum of Slovakia’s

overall yearly contributions to the Agency by the aforementioned date, including Basic

Activities expenditure under the General Budget, referred to in Article 3.1 above, and

Requesting Party Activities, referred to in Article 10.2 below, shall amount to a

minimum of 3.000.000 Euros at current e.c.

ARTICLE 5

REPRESENTATION AND VOTING RIGHTS

Slovakia shall be represented in the meetings of the Agency’s Council and subordinate

bodies, in accordance with the following provisions:

1. Slovakia shall have the right to be represented at open meetings of the Council by

not more than two delegates, who may be accompanied by advisors. Slovakia shall

have the right to vote on questions relating to the activities and programmes in

which it participates, pursuant to the present Agreement, this being in its capacity

of Participating State in the case of optional programmes. Slovakia shall not have

the right to vote in Council on the General Budget or on matters related to it, but

shall have the right to state its opinion and to be heard on other questions.

2. Slovakia shall have the right to be represented, by not more than two delegates

who may be accompanied by advisors, at meetings of the subordinate bodies of the

Agency, competent in any capacity to deal with the activities and programmes in

which Slovakia participates. Slovakia shall also have the right to be similarly

represented on the Programme Boards of the Agency concerned with those

optional programmes in which Slovakia participates, pursuant to Article 4 above.

Slovakia shall have the right to be heard at the above meetings and to vote, in its

capacity of Participating State, on issues relating to those activities and

programmes.

3. For matters of common interest between the Agency and the EU, Slovakia shall be

entitled to attend meetings of the Agency's subordinate bodies as an observer. For

other matters, Slovakia may request to be represented in an observer capacity at

meetings of any subordinate body of the Agency which is solely concerned with

programmes in which Slovakia does not participate. Such request shall be accepted

subject to the unanimous approval of the Agency Member States concerned.

4. Slovakia may attend Potential Participants’ meetings in an observer capacity, in

particular meetings dealing with the preparation of programmes, related to

programmes in which Slovakia participates, unless the Agency Member States

concerned decide otherwise.

5. Slovakia shall not have the right to be represented at the meetings of the Council

or of any subordinate bodies which are held on a restricted basis, in accordance

with the relevant rules of procedure. However, Slovakia may be authorised by the

body concerned, either at Slovakia’s request or at the request of one or more

Member States, to attend discussions on certain items on the agendas of such

meetings, when they involve matters of interest to Slovakia and the Agency, in order

to express its opinion.

ARTICLE 6

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Slovakia shall have access, to the same extent as provided to Member States, to

information, including contract reports, relating to the activities and programmes in

which Slovakia participates.

ARTICLE 7

USE OF FACILITIES AND SERVICES

1. Subject to the terms of Article 6 above and to the prior requirements and obligations

of the Agency, Slovakia shall have access on a cost-reimbursable basis to the

facilities and services of the Agency for national space projects of Slovakia. The

methods of calculating costs shall be those applied to the Agency’s Member States,

when utilising the Agency facilities and services for their own space projects. In

return, Slovakia shall make available its facilities and services to the Agency and its

Member States on favourable terms.

2. In developing its national space potential and in planning for national space

missions, Slovakia shall give preference, pursuant to the terms of Article VIII of the

Convention, to the use of European space transportation systems, and of facilities,

products and services belonging to, or developed or operated under the auspices

of, the Agency or its Member States. Slovakia shall, further, support the Agency’s

efforts to promote the use of European transportation systems, facilities, products

and services by those international bodies to which it belongs that employ systems

or services with a space-based component. For the purpose of satisfying its facilities

requirements for any given mission, which are unmet on the basis of its own

potential or that of its Member States, the Agency shall, subject to arrangements

existing at the relevant time with other entities, and on terms of parity in this matter

with other Associate Members of the Agency, give detailed consideration to the

appropriate Slovakian facilities with a view to their potential use.

ARTICLE 8

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

1. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Intellectual Property” has the meaning stated

in Article 2 of the Convention establishing the World Intellectual Property

Organisation, done in Stockholm on 14 July 1967.

2. The Parties shall ensure adequate and effective protection of Intellectual Property,

as may arise from the work done under this Agreement and of any pre-existing

rights that may come into play in the course of such cooperation.

3. The specific provisions concerning the rights of access, dissemination and use of

intellectual property as well as of technical information and data developed under the

present Agreement, shall follow the Agency’s rules and procedures.

ARTICLE 9

EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND EXPERTS

1. With a view to identifying possible areas of cooperation, the Parties shall exchange

information in the following spheres:

(a)the content of, and plan for, their current and future space programmes;

(b)matters of scientific and technical interest resulting from their space activities. In

particular, Slovakia shall receive reports published and made available by the

Agency, as well as information relating to the progress of the Agency

programmes and to activities in which Slovakia participates under the present

Agreement.

2. Slovakia shall in all cases observe the proprietary rights of the information provided

by the Agency and shall undertake not to disseminate information that is subject to

non-disclosure agreements signed with the Agency, or is not otherwise generally

available beyond the territories of Slovakia and the Agency’s Member States,

whether directly or through intermediaries operating within or outside those

territories.

3. Slovakia shall not be required to communicate any information obtained outside the

Agency if it considers that such communication or dissemination would be

inconsistent with, or contrary to, the interests of its own agreements with third

parties, or the conditions under which such information has been obtained.

4. The Agency shall not be required to communicate information if it considers that

such communication, or dissemination, would be inconsistent with, or contrary

to, the interests of its own agreements with third parties, or the conditions under

which such information was obtained.

5. The Parties may establish a scheme to permit the exchange of experts concerned

with work within the competence of the Agency, in conformity with the application of

the laws and regulations relating to the entry into, stay in or departure from Slovakia,

and with the Agency’s legal framework, including agreements with third parties.

6. The Parties will also consult with each other when they are represented at

international organisations, conferences and meetings relating to space activities,

for the purpose of exchanging views on matters of mutual concern and will seek to

harmonise, as appropriate, their positions on matters which are likely to have a

bearing on the implementation of their common space programmes and activities.

ARTICLE 10

INDUSTRIAL POLICY

1. With respect to the geographical distribution of contracts relating to the activities

and programmes in which Slovakia participates, the Agency shall:

(a) strive at providing a fair industrial return to Slovakia for activities relating to the

Basic Activities under the General Budget, excluding the item “Technology

Development”, and

(b) for optional activities and programmes, and consistent with Article 4 above,

implement for Slovakia the applicable rules developed for the various activities

and programmes, to the same extent as for the other Participating States.

2. In order to further develop its industrial base Slovakia shall participate in an

incentive scheme in the form of Requesting Party Activities, which shall be operated

in accordance with the attached Annexes I and II, and which constitute an integral

part of the present Agreement. Such incentive scheme shall be based on full cost

reimbursement and national funding. Slovakia’s expenditures to Requesting Party

Activities shall amount to a minimum of 500.000 Euros per year at 2018 e.c. and

shall not exceed its contributions to optional programmes in which it participates

pursuant to Article 4 above.

ARTICLE 11

ADDITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

In addition to cooperation in the long-term continuing framework outlined above, the

Parties may also develop arrangements for cooperating in individual bilateral projects

in space activities pursued by both Parties and for the exchange of personnel. Approval

of such arrangements, which shall not modify the rights and obligations of the Parties

under the present Agreement, shall be subject to the Parties’ relevant procedures.

ARTICLE 12

LIABILITY

For the participation of Slovakia in programmes and activities of the Agency, the

Agency’s Council Resolution ESA/C/XXII/Res.3 of 13 December 1977 on the Agency’s

legal liability shall be applicable mutatis mutandis.

ARTICLE 13

SECURITY

Each Party shall retain the right to take all precautionary measures in the interests of

its security.

ARTICLE 14

PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES

For the execution of the Agency's official activities undertaken within the frame of the

present Agreement, Slovakia shall grant the following privileges and immunities:

1. The Agency shall have, in the territory of Slovakia, legal personality. It shall in

particular have the capacity to contract, to acquire and dispose of movable and

immovable property, and to be a party to legal proceedings.

2. The Agency shall have immunity from jurisdiction and execution.

3. Within the scope of its official activities, the Agency, its property and income shall

be exempt from direct and indirect taxes in Slovakia, in accordance with the

conditions laid down by the Convention and in accordance with usual procedures

applicable within the territory of Slovakia.

4. Without prejudice to Article 13 above, goods imported or exported by the Agency

and strictly necessary for the exercise of its official activities shall be exempt from

all import and export duties and taxes and from all import or export prohibitions and

restrictions under the same conditions as those laid down in the Convention.

5. The Agency may receive and hold in Slovakia any kind of funds, currency, cash or

securities; it may dispose of them freely in Slovakia for any official purpose of the

Agency and hold accounts in any currency.

6. Staff members of the Agency shall have in Slovakia immunity from jurisdiction in

respect of acts, including words written and spoken, done by them in the exercise

of their functions. Staff members of the Agency shall be exempt from taxes on their

salaries, emoluments, benefits and pensions received in respect of current or

previous service with the Agency. They shall be exempt from all compulsory

contributions to social security bodies of Slovakia.

7. The circulation of publications and other information material sent by or to the

Agency shall not be restricted in any way.

8. The archives of the Agency shall be inviolable.

ARTICLE 15

NOTIFICATION OF APPOINTED AUTHORITY AND

REPRESENTATIVES

Slovakia shall notify the Agency’s Director General of the name of the authority

appointed to represent it for the implementation of the present Agreement, as well as

the names of Slovakia’s representatives and advisors attending any meetings, in

accordance with Article 5 above.

ARTICLE 16

AMENDMENT

1. The present Agreement, including its Annex I, may be amended by mutual

agreement. The Party wishing to amend a provision of this Agreement, including its

Annex I, shall notify the other Party in writing. Any amendment shall enter into force

when each Party has notified the other in writing of its acceptance of the said

amendment, in accordance with its own procedures.

2. Annex II of the present Agreement may be amended by mutual written agreement

between Slovakia’s Co-Chair and the Agency’s Co-Chair, nominated in accordance

with section C. of Annex II of the present Agreement.

ARTICLE 17

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Where a dispute arises in relation to the application or interpretation of this Agreement

or of detailed arrangements concluded pursuant to this Agreement, and which cannot be

settled amicably between the Parties, such dispute shall, at the request of either Party,

be submitted to arbitration. In such case, the provisions of Article XVII of the Agency’s

Convention shall apply mutatis mutandis, unless the Parties agree otherwise.

ARTICLE 18

ENTRY INTO FORCE, DURATION, TERMINATION AND

RENEWAL

1. Each Party shall notify the other Party in writing of the completion of its respective

procedures for the entry into force of this Agreement. This Agreement shall enter

into force on the date of the last of these notifications and shall remain in force for

a period of seven years following that date.

2. The present Agreement may be terminated upon one year’s written notice by either

Party before its expiry date, referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.

3. Termination or expiry of the present Agreement shall not affect the validity of those

rights and obligations of either Party, which are meant to survive its termination or

expiry or its interpretation such as, but not limited to, dispute resolution, liability,

intellectual property rights, nor of additional arrangements entered into between the

Parties. The participation of Slovakia in the Agency’s optional programmes, or parts

thereof, pursuant to Article 4 above which is effective at the time of termination of

this Agreement, shall remain effective until the completion of the activities under the

respective programmes or parts thereof, on the understanding that completion of

the respective programmes will be notified by the Agency to Slovakia. Taking into

account any outstanding obligation incurred under Article 4 above, Slovakia shall

contribute to the part of the common infrastructure plan in force and the part of the

fixed common costs to be borne by the General Budget at a rate to be mutually

agreed. Article 4 above, and this paragraph, shall remain in force and continue to

produce their effects after the termination or expiry of this Agreement.

4. Four years after the entry into force as well as one year before the expiry of the

present Agreement, the Parties shall proceed to a formal review of their cooperation

under this Agreement. On the basis of the latter review, the Parties shall examine

ways and means of continuing or further developing such cooperation, including the

possibility of Slovakia extending present Agreement or being granted the status of

Member State of the Agency. The granting of such a status to Slovakia shall be

subject of a specific Council decision, in accordance with the Convention and on

the basis of a written request to be made by Slovakia.

5. The present Agreement may be extended for further periods by mutual agreement

in writing. The present Agreement shall remain in force during the time necessary to

complete the procedures for such renewal.

6. Upon its entry into force, the present Agreement shall replace and supersede the

ECS Agreement between the Parties, referred to in the preamble, it being

understood that the provisions of the latter Agreement shall nevertheless continue

to apply to the extent necessary to secure the implementation of any arrangements

and contracts that have been concluded within the framework of said Agreement,

and which are still effective on the date said Agreement ceases to be in force.

Done at …………………………… on ……………………………

In two originals in the English and Slovak languages which shall both be legally

authentic for the purpose of interpretation of the present Agreement. The signatories

may also establish translations hereof in the French and German languages, which

shall not, however, be considered as authoritative for the purposes of interpretation.

…………………………………

For the Slovak Republic

For the European Space Agency

Annex I

Framework conditions for Requesting Party Activities

(hereinafter referred to as “RPA”) under Art. 10 (2)

1. Scope of the assistance provided by the Agency

The following assistance will be provided by the Agency in accordance with its

standard internal practices, as further detailed in Annex II:

a) National Programme Element (hereinafter referred to as “NPE”): Assistance to

national programme for space development (maximum 50% of the budget

dedicated to RPA)

b) Industrial Incentive Scheme Element (hereinafter referred to as “IIS”)

The goals and possible content of the two elements are specified in detail in Annex

II.

2. Management

The implementation of the RPAs shall be overseen by a Board composed of the

members identified in Annex II.

Any activity implemented under the RPA needs to be approved by both of the Co-

Chairs.

The Agency Secretary shall be responsible for handling any matter arising during the

implementation of the scheme, including, in particular, quarterly reports to the Board,

preparation of an annual review of the activities by the Board and preparation of the

decisions of the Board.

The Agency Programme Manager shall be responsible for the day-to-day

implementation of the RPA.

3. Procurement provisions

The Agency shall be responsible for carrying out the procurements relating to the

RPA and for negotiating, signing and managing the resulting contracts on Slovakia’s

behalf. The Agency Procurement Regulations (ESA/REG/001 rev.5) shall apply with

the following amendments:

a) For “Top Down” Activities (i.e. content of the activity defined in the Invitation to

Tender): Prior to the publication of any Invitation to Tender, the objective,

programmatic constraints and the financial envelope of the activity shall be

approved by both Co-Chairs. The Co-Chairs will be informed of the

recommendation of the Tender Evaluation Board (hereinafter referred to as

“TEB”). Prior to entering into negotiations for any activity of the Agency the

Industrial Policy Committee shall be consulted and the relevant Agency

Programme Board(s) shall be informed about the respective activity.

b) For “Open Call” activities (i.e. content of the activity to be proposed by the

tenderers within certain framework conditions defined in the Call): The

programmatic constraints of each open call shall require the written approval of

the Co-Chairs and shall be listed in the cover letter of the call. The TEB

recommendation shall be submitted to the Co-Chairs for approval. If a Co- Chair

rejects a proposal that has been recommended by the TEB, he/she shall state

the reasons for this in writing. The Co-Chairs may further decide that a proposal

which has not been recommended, but which has received a marking above 40

in line with the Agency Tender Evaluation Manual (Annex III rev.2 of the

ESA/REG/001 rev.5), may be improved and resubmitted. The proposals which

have been approved by the Co-Chairs shall be presented to the Industrial Policy

Committee for consultation and the relevant Programme Board(s) for information

prior to the Agency entering into negotiations with the selected entities.

The Agency shall be authorised to release payments and agree contractual changes

in accordance with its rules and procedures. For contract changes that result in an

increase of the initial contract value by more than 10%, the written approval of the

Country Co-Chair will be required. For contract changes that result in an increase of

the initial contract value by more than 20%, the written approval of both Co- Chairs

will be required.

4. Funding and Financial Liability

In accordance with Art. 40 of the Agency Financial Regulations, all costs incurred by

the Agency in the implementation of the RPA shall be borne by Slovakia. Accordingly,

SlovakiashallcovertheFullCosts incurredby the Agencyin providing the technical and

contractual management of the Project, covering in particular the amounts of the

industrial contracts placed by the Agency and the Agency’s internal costs, which shall

be calculated on the basis of Full Costs. The yearly funding shall be provided in

advance, in accordance with a payment plan to be agreed between the Parties. Any

surplus at the end of the RPA shall be reimbursed to Slovakia.

5. Intellectual Property Rights

The contracts concluded by the Agency with the contractors shall state that all

information, data and intellectual property rights resulting from activities carried out

under the contracts concluded as a result of the Call for Proposals shall be available

to:

a) Slovakia, for use on the basis of a free worldwide license, together with the right

to grant sub-licenses for its own needs,and

b) the Agency, for use on the basis of a free worldwide license, together with the right

to grant sub-licenses, for the purposes of the Agency’s activities and programmes.

The contracts shall further state that any transfer, by the contractors, of intellectual

property rights resulting from activities carried out under the contracts to any entity

located outside of Slovakia requires the prior approval of the Agency and Slovakia.

Annex II

Goals and key activities of the elements of the Requesting Party

Activities (hereinafter referred to as “RPA”), reporting and reviews,

Composition of the Board

A. Goals and key activities of the RPA

1. National Programme Element (hereinafter referred to as “NPE”)

The goal of the NPE element is to provide a means for the country to address

those aspects of space development that are not covered by the Agency’s

optional programmes, leading to a holistic space policy and space

investment.

As the NPE implementation is through the Agency, it must follow the

Agency’s procurement rules and cannot be used to fund infrastructure

developments/ procurements.

The key aspects that may be selected by the country to make up NPE could

be, for example:

-

Low Technology Readiness Level (hereinafter referred to as “TRL”)

technology readiness preparatory activities (e.g. TRL 1-3);

Flight opportunities: in particular in cooperation with other national

programmes;

Space related training courses for industry (e.g. soldering,

inspections etc.);

Space science payload funding (e.g. to contribute payloads to the

Agency’s science missions);

Space science activities (e.g. using the Agency’s science mission

data or the Space Situational Awareness Programme observation

campaigns);

-

National satellite/ small satellites CubeSat programmes;

Education: Building university courses to answer to national space

industry needs;

-

Education: High School initiatives to encourage pursuing a career in

space (e.g. CanSat activities);

Support Activities e.g. support functions to the Slovakian delegation.

For example, provision of an independent expert (non ESA-staff)

contracted by the Agency who can support the Slovakian delegation

and Slovakian industry in all matters related to ESA, in particular ESA

procurement and building up of industrial capacity in the field of

space activities;

-

National Trainee funding;

Secondments.

2. Industrial Incentive Scheme Element (hereinafter referred to as “IIS”)

The IIS Element has three key goals:

1) To build competences and capabilities centred on product

development that can help to ensure sustainable industrial return in

the Agency’s optional programmes to which Slovakia subscribes.

2) To build competences and capabilities centred on product

development to suitably prepare the national industry for future

inclusion in the Agency’s optional programmes to which the country

intends to subscribe within 5 years.

3) To build and demonstrate competences and capabilities leading to a

sustainable long-term business case in the Space commercial market.

The key aspects that may be selected to make up the IIS Element could be,

for example:

-

Preparatory Activities e.g. market surveys, requirement definitions

and demonstrators (TRL 1-3);

Research and Development (Technology Demonstrations to enter

the Agency programmes, (TRL 3-6);

Industrial Process Development and qualification/ certification which

give competitive advantage and are specific to space and relevant to

the Agency optional programmes;

-

Downstream applications (entry into customers supply chain, TRL 5-

8).

B. Reporting and annual reviews

1. Quarterly reporting

A quarterly report shall be prepared and distributed to the co-chairs and shall

cover:

-

Financial situation of the programme;

List of approved activities and their status;

High level assessment of the performance;

Key events or issues arising in the last 3 months.

2. Annual Review

An annual review shall be held each year and shall be attended by the RPA

Board and up to three advisors per co-chair and an assistant to the

secretary. Further attendees are subject to approval of both Co-chairs.

The annual review shall cover:

-

The financial situation;

The status of each approved activity;

The planning for the year ahead (calls, events, trainings etc.);

Discussion and agreement on the programmatic aspects of any open

calls and their timing;

-

Discussion and agreement on any pre-planned Top Down activities

and their timing;

A review of the performance of Slovakia against the metrics listed in

the Council Resolution on industrial policy measures to achieve a

successful integration of European states in the frame of the Agency

adopted

by

the

Council

on

13

December

2018

(ESA/C/R/CCLXXVII/Res.1 (final)).

C. Composition of the Board

The Board established in Annex I of present Agreement shall be composed

of the following members:

•

the Slovakia Co-Chair;

the Agency Co-Chair;

the Agency Secretary; and

the Agency Programme Manager.

The Board members shall be nominated by the Parties through an

exchange of letters upon the entry into force of the Agreement.