WASHINGTON — Slovenia signed the Artemis Accords outlining simplest practices for sustainable attach exploration April 19, the third European nation to attain so in 5 days.

Matevž Frangež, speak secretary of the ministry of the economic system, tourism and sport in the Slovenian authorities, signed the Accords in a ceremony in Ljubljana, Slovenia. It took web page as phase of the broader U.S. – Slovenia Strategic Dialogue held there that day.

“Slovenia joins the foundations, values and principles on the restful employ of attach as a widespread excellent of humanity,” Frangež mentioned in an announcement.

The Artemis Accordsunveiled in 2020, list practices that signatory countries must follow in attach exploration, building upon the Outer Dwelling Treaty of 1967 and connected international agreements. They encompass provisions on transparency and interoperability besides preservation of attach heritage, utilization of attach resources and deconfliction of attach actions.

Slovenia is the 39^th nation to impress the accords. The nation, a member of the European Union, has been an affiliate member of the European Dwelling Agency since 2016. In November 2023, the Slovenian authorities formally petitioned to change into a plump member of ESA, having adopted a nationwide attach approach that was the final formal milestone sooner than searching for plump membership. The ESA Council is anticipated to mediate on Slovenia’s membership later this 365 days.

“It opens up opportunities for Slovenia to trot the building of our attach sector,” Frangež mentioned when Slovenia submitted its ask for plump ESA membership all by a European Dwelling Summit in Seville, Spain. “Here is no longer any longer handiest an opportunity to toughen attach examine nonetheless also to manufacture leap forward innovations that can revitalize the Slovenian economic system.”

Thru the Artemis Accords, Slovenia is searching for bigger cooperation with the US in attach besides. “We acknowledge Slovenia as a rising leader in attach,” mentioned Jamie Harpootlian, the U.S. ambassador to Slovenia, in an announcement about the Artemis Accords signing. “We rely on taking our collaborations with Slovenia on science, technology and innovation to contemporary frontiers.”

Slovenia is the third European nation to impress the accords in much less than per week. Switzerland signed the Artemis Accords in a ceremony at NASA Headquarters April 15. A day later, Sweden signed the accords at an match in Stockholm. Three other international locations have also signed the accords so far this 365 days: Belgium, Greece and Uruguay.