"The status that Slovenia has in the ESA today and will continue to have in the new two years is the most favourable in terms of financing and content," Počivalšek said after meeting the director of the industry directorate, Eric Morel. While the extent of cooperation and financial contribution for obligatory programmes is smaller with this type of cooperation than with full membership, Slovenia can still take part in all ESA’s programmes, said the minister. Via public procurement, Slovenia can expect between 80 and 90 per cent of its financial contribution will be recouped.
Počivalšek told the director of the ESA’s industry directorate that Slovenia has identified some 40 companies that have expressed interest in cooperating on space activities – from records made at ESA to cooperation on Slovenian projects, groups or centres. "Slovenia would like to take part in programmes where Slovenian economy has particular potential. These are projects in Earth observation, navigation and space technology," said Počivalšek, who asked Morel for a presentation of activities and a timeline of Slovenia’s further cooperation in ESA, with emphasis on concrete projects that Slovenia or Slovenian companies consider important.