EU and USA agree to collaborate on non-nuclear energy research
The European Commission and the USA sign an agreement for cooperation on non-nuclear energy research on 14 May. Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin and the US Secretary of state for energy, Spencer Abraham, will sign an implementing arrangement covering scientific cooperation. The agreement is hoped to facilitate collaboration in research areas of mutual interest such as fossil energies and coping with climate change, new energy sources, such as hydrogen and solar energy, and energy efficiency. 'Collaboration is likely to involve developing joint standards, sharing unique R&D facilities, workshops, exchanging and networking experts, conducting joint technology foresight studies, and coordinating research projects, says the Commission. Cooperation in the field of non-nuclear energy is one of 15 fields for potential collaboration outlined in a EU-US cooperation agreement signed in October 1998. The US delegation will also attend the European Energy and Industry Council, scheduled on 14 and 15 May.