News Release

Günter Burghardt

No. 141/04
October 15, 2004

EU AND US RENEW SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION AGREEMENT

The EU and the US have agreed to extend their Agreement on Science and Technology Co-operation for 5 more years.

In renewing the Agreement on October 8th in Brussels, both parties recognize the importance of enhancing transatlantic relations in the field of Science and Technology where they each spend billions every year.

Ambassador Gunter Burghardt, Head of the European Commission Delegation to the US, called the renewal of the Agreement an important signal that the EU and the US could and must continue to work together in areas important for our common future. “The EU and US are world leaders in science and technology and co-operation in this domain can offer tremendous benefits to both partners. The Agreement plays an important role in building bridges across the Atlantic, a key element in the New Transatlantic Agenda.”

The original Agreement was signed in 1998 and has resulted in collaborative activities in the areas of energy research, materials science, environment and biotechnology. It is expected that the activities under the renewed Agreement will build on these successes and progress further in areas such as hydrogen research. Co-operative activities may take the form of coordinated research projects, task forces, workshops and studies. The main partners in implementing the Agreement are the European Commission on the European side and US research agencies, notably the National Science Foundation, Department of Agriculture and Department of Energy on the other.

Press Contacts:

Anthony Gooch 202-862-9523

Maeve O'Beirne 202-862-9549

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