THE GOVERNMENTS OF SPAIN AND THE UNITED STATES SIGN A JOINT STATEMENT ON SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COOPERATION

30 June 2006 – The governments of Spain and the United States have signed a joint statement today that prepares for, in the near future, the approval of a new program of scholarships of scientific and technological cooperation between the Spanish Executive Government and the Committee for Cultural, Educational and Scientific Exchange between Spain and the United States “Fulbright Committee” – a mixed, bilateral and permanent organization with a prestigious and solvent reputation.

The signing, which was done by the Minister of Education and Science, Mercedes Cabrera, and the U.S. Ambassador, Eduardo Aguirre, was formalized within the framework of the meeting celebrated today in Madrid between Mercedes Cabrera and the U.S. Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings.

In the joint declaration, both countries congratulated each other “for their continued support of scientific and technological cooperation, and for their productive collaboration, which has allowed for the continuation of relevant research projects.” The agreement also declares the intention, on the part of the Ministry of Education and Science, to contribute to this scientific and technological exchange by means of support made possible by its annual implementation of projects of interest. On the part of the United States Embassy, the agreement declares its intention “to propose to the appropriate authorities and institutions of its country the necessary awarding of financial support so that this program of cooperation can be carried out in the most efficient way possible.”

The Spanish Ministry of Education and Science and the United States Ambassador trust that a greater collaboration between scientists and researchers from the two countries benefits both and establishes a platform for the development of more ambitious projects that deepen the strong relationship of friendship and cooperation between Spain and the United States, according to the document signed today.

The document puts forward that, within the near future, an agreement between Spain’s Government and the Committee for Cultural, Educational and Scientific Exchange between Spain and the United States “Fulbright Committee” will be established “that prepares for the administration of a new program of scholarships by means of the National Program of International Cooperation in Science and Technology, sponsored by the General Sub-Department of International Programs and Organizations of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.”

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