EP supports European-African radio astronomy partnerships

According to Africa Science News, The EP believes that capacity building can be boosted through closer European-African partnerships in radio astronomy, as this is an area where Africa holds advantages that are not available in Europe and where there is considerable scope for further growth. Written Declaration is a text of a maximum of 200 words on a matter falling within the European Union's sphere of activities.

"Radio astronomy in Africa has enormous potential for growth and [this] offers opportunities to European researchers and industry that they will not find in Europe" explained Fiona Hall, a member of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee. Miguel Angel Martínez Martínez, Vice-president of the EP and a member of the Committee on Development added that the importance of science for socio-economic development in Africa has already been recognised in the Millennium Development Goals. "European involvement in African radio astronomy represents a possible driver of socio-economic change" he said.

Following its adoption by the European Parliament, Written Declaration 45/2011 will now be forwarded to the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and the parliaments of the Member States. Judith Sargentini, a Vice-Chair for Delegation for relations with South Africa, stated that "In adopting this Written Declaration, Europe's elected representatives have [...] recognised that radio astronomy has a bright future in Africa and that Europe can play a valuable role in it," Africa Science News reports.

Read the full article on www.africasciencenews.org.