The memorandum of understanding between Italy and Spain was signed in the council chamber of the Municipality of Olbia with the signatures of the Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini and the Spanish Deputy Minister of Science, Research and Innovation, Juan Cruz Cigudosa. Spain will support the Einstein Telescope project in Lula and Italy will support the construction in the Iberian country of the IFMIF-DONES project , a single-site neutron source dedicated to innovative materials for nuclear fusion but the agreement is broader ray on scientific and technological cooperation. The signing, preceded by a confidential bilateral meeting between the representatives of the two Governments, was attended by the President of the Region Alessandra Todde, the host Settimo Nizzi, the mayor of Lula Mario Calia and the rectors of the two Sardinian universities, Francesco Mola (Cagliari ) and Gavino Mariotti (Sassari).
«The agreement signed today with Spain - said the minister - strengthens the Italian proposal to build the Einstein Telescope in our country, in Sardinia, in the center of the Mediterranean . I thank Deputy Minister Cigudosa for coming to Olbia to sign it in the very region where we want to build the infrastructure. The Government is convincingly supporting the project as demonstrated by the financial commitment of 950 million already made in recent months. This is a strategic choice for a country that we want to be increasingly ambitious and attractive . Italy is a world leader in physics and this agreement demonstrates the very high scientific credibility at an international level that our country enjoys. ET will give a decisive boost to the program to strengthen the research ecosystem which we want to be increasingly attractive."
A passage, at the request of journalists, also on the risks caused by the wind attack . «I make an assessment of opportunities», said Bernini: « A great city of science in Lula that produces work, technology, innovation, knowledge, creativity, as far as I'm concerned for the good of Sardinia, has priority ». Concept reinforced by President Todde: «I want to remind you that there is a law in force which says that in the buffer area of 40 kilometers around the Einstein Telescope no installations can be built and this is the best way to respond to those who want to speculate also in that territory."
Mayor Settimo Nizzi thanked him for choosing Olbia as the location for the agreement. «We have always supported the candidacy of SOS Enattos as the headquarters of the ET, – he said – a project that goes far beyond the borders of our cities, our State and the whole of Europe. We will continue to work together to make our contribution to scientific research, training and the growth of our territories for the well-being of our communities."