Ministers Euregion: 'Border region the place for the Einstein Telescope'

Ministers from The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Wallonia, and Flanders visited Maastricht on Monday, 10 March.

During this visit, they reaffirmed their commitment to bringing the Einstein Telescope to the Meuse-Rhine Euregion. Minister Dirk Beljaarts (Economic Affairs): "The border region of The Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium is the place for the Einstein Telescope, and we will do our utmost to bring it here."

On Monday, the ministers visited the ET Pathfinder in Maastricht. The Meuse-Rhine Euregion, along with Italy and the German state of Saxony, is one of the candidates to host the Einstein Telescope. The project offers The Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium a unique opportunity to take a global leadership position in a groundbreaking new field of science: gravitational wave research. The development of the telescope also requires a lot of new knowledge, which stimulates technological innovations and business activity in the region.

Important for the region

During the visit, Minister Beljaarts emphasised the importance of the telescope for the economy, science, and society. He agreed with his German and Belgian colleagues that all parties would maximise their efforts to attract the project. Ministers Mona Neubauer (North Rhine-Westphalia), Vice President and Minister Pierre-Yves Jeholet (Wallonia), Minister-President of Flanders Matthias Diependaele, and Belgian Ambassador Anick Van Calster represented those countries. The Netherlands has reserved €870 million from the National Growth Fund for the construction of the telescope. The Flemish Government, Germany, and European partners are also reserving funds for the construction.

New jobs

Based on research, it is expected that every euro invested in the Einstein Telescope will be returned 3 to 4 times, and the telescope will directly and indirectly create approximately 2,000 jobs. These jobs will not only be for scientists but also for practically trained technicians. To underline the importance of the telescope for the economy, science, and society, the Dutch Cabinet declared the acquisition of the telescope a national priority last November.

The final decision on where the Einstein Telescope will be built is expected to be made in 2027.