Dutch and Belgian ministers underscore importance of Einstein Telescope during working visit

The visit by Flemish minister Jo Brouns and his Dutch counterpart Robbert Dijkgraaf to research facility ET Pathfinder in Maastricht may have been brief, but its significance was one of stature. A few days earlier, Minister Brouns had announced that the Flemish government was allocating 21 million euros for technology development for the Einstein Telescope.

Value

News that Dutch Minister Dijkgraaf said underlined once again how much attention and support the Einstein Telescope is receiving abroad as well: "It is wonderful news that the Flemish colleagues too are now allocating money for technology and knowledge development for the Einstein Telescope. I would very much like to bring this telescope to the border area between Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. The value of such a world-class instrument for science and our economies can hardly be expressed in money. By investing now in the knowledge and technology we need, our plan becomes stronger, and we increase the chances of building the telescope here. We are also driving innovation. That is good for the economy, employment and knowledge position."

The ministers were briefed by director Stan Bentvelsen of the Einstein Telescope EMR project office, by Professpr. Stefan Hild, project leader of the ET pathfinder and by phd students Elise Van den Bossche (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) and Luise Kranzhoff (Maastricht University).

The governors of both Limburgen (Jos Lantmeeters and Emile Roemer) emphasized the importance of the arrival of telescope for the region: "Structural investment in sustainable innovation and knowledge development offers wonderful opportunities for science, the technology sector and business in these border regions. The arrival of the Einstein Telescope would be an indispensable link in the future earnings model of the region, our countries and Europe."

Cross-border

Robbert Dijkgraaf praised the cooperation across borders: "We are working so across borders: of our countries as well as of our knowledge. I think this collaboration is really a textbook example of how to shape a European project. With the Einstein Telescope we are developing groundbreaking technology, far beyond what is currently possible. This is of great value to science and also a huge boost to the competitiveness of our industry. Studies show that we can recoup every euro we invest three to four times over. The Einstein Telescope is also expected to create several thousand new direct and indirect jobs in the frontier region. For workers of all educational levels. Not just for top scientists, but also for the skilled workers who handle construction and maintenance, or those in the regional hospitality industry.