ROME: The Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Saudi Space Commission (SSC) have signed a cooperation agreement on Monday in Riyadh during the visit of the Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the president of ASI, Giorgio Saccoccia, and by the CEO of the SSC, Mohammed Al-Tamimi, on the sidelines of the 12th Italian-Saudi Joint Commission chaired by Di Maio and the Saudi finance minister, Mohammed Al-Jadaan. The agreement will foster collaboration between the two nations on projects of common interest in Earth observation, technology and communication in deep space, scientific missions and human exploration programs, as well as joint efforts in satellites and training. “ASI and SSC agree to cooperate through the exchange of information and scientific data, the joint organization of seminars and workshops and the development of joint projects and research activities,” a spokesman for ASI told Arab News. The Memorandum of Understanding has an initial duration of five years and may be subject to a further extension.