Australia and US Joint Statement Heralds Closer Scientific & Technological Cooperation

A Joint Statement on Scientific and Technological (S&T) Cooperation, signed by Australia and the USA, is the forerunner to the development of a new S&T agreement between the two countries.

The Statement was signed by the Minister for Industry, Science and Resources, Senator Nick Minchin, and the Assistant to the US President for Science and Technology, and Director of the Office of Science and Technology, Dr Neal Lane. By signing the Joint Statement, Senator Minchin and Dr Lane have expressed their mutual interest in intensifying discussions aimed at developing a new agreement. Since an earlier S&T Agreement, signed in 1968, lapsed in 1991.

"Australia and the United States have a long standing and mutually beneficial S&T relationship, covering most scientific and technological fields," Dr Lane aid. "These include space, marine, conservation, deep sea drilling, nuclear, medical, biotechnology and environmental research." "The United States is Australia's number one S&T partner in terms of the depth and breadth of our international S&T relationship," Senator Minchin said.

"Scientific breakthroughs occur with no regard for national borders, and international cooperation in S&T is becoming more critical and mutually beneficial in this information age," Dr Lane said.

"It is our desire to explore ways to strengthen and build on the excellent overall S&T relationship between our two countries," Senator Minchin and Dr Lane said.

For further information please contact Jennifer Eddy, Senator Minchin's Office, on 02 6277 7580, Eric James, Industry, Science and Resources, on 02 6213 6470 or Brian Siler, US Embassy, Canberra, on 02 6214 5810.