ANKARA — Turkey and Azerbaijan have launched a joint program to search for mineral deposits using remote sensors on satellites. According to the agreement Turkey will also build a Remote Sensing Laboratory where the Azerbaijani staff will be trained to use the new technology.Speaking to the Turkish newspaper Sabah, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yıldız pointed out that 208 people from 18 countries have received remote sensing training in Turkey. "Turkey was a technology-importing country until today, but now we are exporting technology. Our current situation is significant for Turkey's representation and its regional location. We are receiving many other requests from different countries for common projects. Turkey has signed many cooperation and project agreements," he added. Remote sensing is described as the acquisition and analysis of information on natural and artificial surfaces using satellite platforms. Established under the leadership of the Mineral Research and Exploration General Directorate in 1975, the Remote Sensing Laboratory has been redesigned five times. At the beginning of 2002, the laboratory underwent its latest upgrade and was renamed "Dr. İsmail Seyhan Remote Sensing Center." The center contributes to public institutions and the private sector with its research on geology, mining and natural resources, geothermal energy, petroleum, earthquakes, pollution and landslide by analyzing national and international satellite images.