Working together on the largest scientific construction project ever in this Euroregion

‘The border region of the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium is the perfect location for the Einstein Telescope and we will do our utmost to bring it here’. This statement also became the agreement with which ministers Dirk Beljaarts (Netherlands) and his colleagues Mona Neubaur (North Rhine-Westphalia), Pierre-Yves Jeholet (Wallonia), Prime Minister Matthias Diependaele (Flanders) and the Belgian ambassador Anick Van Calster summarised their meeting. They agreed to work together to strengthen the candidacy for the Einstein Telescope.

These four ministers, all of whom have economic affairs in their portfolio, spoke to each other today during their joint working visit about the Einstein Telescope in Maastricht. They also took a look at the cleanroom where the ET pathfinder is set up.

Unique opportunity

The ministers emphasised that the project offers the three countries a unique opportunity to take the global lead in a new, groundbreaking field of science: gravitational wave research. The development of the telescope also requires a great deal of new knowledge, which stimulates technological innovation and economic activity in the region.

National Growth Fund

The Netherlands has reserved 870 million euros from the National Growth Fund for the construction of the telescope. The Flemish government has also already reserved 200 million euros for the underground telescope.

Recuperate

Research has shown that every euro spent on the Einstein Telescope is expected to be earned back three to four times over, and the telescope will create approximately 2,000 jobs directly and indirectly. Not only for scientists, but also for practically trained technicians, for example. To emphasise how important the telescope is for the economy, science and society, the Dutch cabinet declared the acquisition of the telescope a national priority last November.