The Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence of the Cyprus University of Technology hosted Mr Gunther Krichbaum, Federal Minister of State for Europe of the Federal Republic of Germany, during an official visit to ERATOSTHENES’ facilities in Limassol. The Federal Minister was accompanied by the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Cyprus, Dr Hans Peter Jugel, as well as the Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy in Cyprus, Dr Dirk Roland Haupt.

Mr Krichbaum was welcomed by Professor Diofantos Hadjimitsis of the Cyprus University of Technology, Managing Director of the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence, the Cypriot European hub for research and innovation in Earth Observation and space technology. He emphasised that the Minister’s presence lends particular weight to the longstanding and strategic cooperation between Germany and Cyprus in the fields of research and technology. Special reference was made to the almost two-decade-long collaboration with Germany in the field of space and geoinformatics, which began at the Cyprus University of Technology and continues and is being strengthened through the Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence.

The Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence was established in 2020, with its headquarters in Limassol, through the European project “EXCELSIOR”, and represents the evolution of the Remote Sensing and Geo Environment Laboratory within the Department of Civil Engineering and Geomatics of the Cyprus University of Technology, which has been in operation since 2007. The EXCELSIOR project is the acronym for the European research programme “Excellence Research Centre for Earth Surveillance and Space Based Monitoring of the Environment”, funded under the Horizon 2020 “Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation – Teaming Phase 2” scheme, with total funding exceeding 38 million euros.

Strategic partners of the EXCELSIOR consortium include, among others, the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS), the National Observatory of Athens, and the Department of Electronic Communications of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy of the Republic of Cyprus.

Professor Hadjimitsis gave an extensive overview of ERATOSTHENES’ cooperation with more than 30 German organisations, companies, and universities in the fields of space technology, geoinformatics, and artificial intelligence, in applications such as the Environment and Climate (atmosphere, agriculture, water resources management, etc.); Resilient Society (floods, wildfires, landslides, energy, marine monitoring, heritage site management, etc.); Big Earth Data Analytics; and security and defence. ERATOSTHENES employs over 110 staff and operates across four locations in Limassol.

During the visit, the two fully operational national strategic infrastructures were presented: • The Satellite Data Acquisition Station (sDAS), developed in cooperation with the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and Cyta, featuring a 9.3 metre multi-band Earth Observation antenna and end-to-end capabilities for download, processing, and dissemination of satellite data; • and the Cyprus Atmospheric Remote Sensing Observatory (CARO), established with the support of the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS). Together, these two infrastructures represent an investment of approximately 8 million euros, significantly strengthening national and European capacities in space-based and environmental monitoring applications.

Professor Hadjimitsis referred to the strategic cooperation with AZO Space, which manages the ESA Business Incubation Centre Bavaria – ESA BIC Bavaria, as well as to the multifaceted contribution of the German Embassy in Cyprus through participation in conferences, workshops, matchmaking between German and Cypriot companies, and the honorary contribution of Dr Haupt as a mentor at the Space BIC by Eratosthenes CoE.

Professor Hadjimitsis also proposed the organisation of the 1st Germany–Cyprus Space & Defence Day within the framework of the High Level Forum “From Space to Solutions”, co-organised with the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEBE) and scheduled to take place in Nicosia on 8 June, under the auspices of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The visit was also honoured by the presence of the President of the Limassol District Local Government Organisation, Mr Yiannis Tsouloftas, and the Mayor of Limassol, Mr Yiannis Armeftis. Mr Yiannis Tsouloftas expressed the Organisation’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with relevant German authorities, focusing on the exchange of expertise, experience, and modern practices that can further enhance bilateral relations, reinforce the institutional role of local government, and improve the quality of services delivered to citizens. He also referred to the constructive and ongoing collaboration with the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence, particularly in relation to the development of an integrated database and a Geographic Information System, which supports the digital transformation and operational modernisation of local administration. As he noted, the cooperation with ERATOSTHENES constitutes part of a broader vision for the modernisation of Local Government, closely linked to research, innovation, and international space-technology networks.

For his part, Mr Yiannis Armeftis emphasised that the visit of the German Federal Minister of State sends the clear message that Europe advances through cooperation, the exchange of expertise, and a shared vision for a more resilient and competitive future. As Municipality of Limassol, we are ready to further strengthen our cooperation with German institutions, universities, and research centres, he stated, adding that the Municipality looks forward to deeper collaboration in innovation, smart city applications, climate adaptation strategies, and youth entrepreneurship. He also recalled that Limassol participates in the European Mission for 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030. In addition, he stressed that the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence represents a strong example of what European cooperation can achieve and underlined that, in an era characterised by climate change,

environmental pressures, and geopolitical uncertainty, investment in space technologies and data-driven solutions is not a luxury but a strategic necessity.

During his remarks, Federal Minister Gunther Krichbaum underlined the strategic importance of the Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence for the European Union, stressing that the capabilities in Earth Observation, geospatial analysis, and climate monitoring enhance European preparedness, resilience, and technological autonomy. He also welcomed Cyprus’ accession as an Associate Member of the European Space Agency (ESA), expressing Germany’s support for the future development and European trajectory of ERATOSTHENES. In addition, he underlined the important role of artificial intelligence and defence, areas already covered by ERATOSTHENES and which it aims to further strengthen through collaborations and projects with German and other international organisations.

2026 marks a milestone year for the Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence, further consolidating its role as a European hub for Earth Observation and space-based innovation within the European Union, the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, and beyond.

During the event, honorary plaques were awarded to His Excellency the Minister for European Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Cyprus, Dr. Hans Peter Jugel, and the Ministerial Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy, Dr. Dirk Roland Haupt for the practical support of the German partners - DLR and TROPOS - and the Embassy in the creation of the Eratosthenes Center of Excellence with a shared vision of transnational cooperation between Germany and Cyprus in the field of applied space technology.