EC/Australia Ministerial Consultations held in Brussels On 15 May 1995, the 12th EC/Australia Ministerial Consultations took place in Brussels, led by Vice-President Sir Leon Brittan and Trade Minister Senator Bob McMullan. Both sides re-emphasised the need for a formal instrument to underpin the growing importance of the EU/Austra... On 15 May 1995, the 12th EC/Australia Ministerial Consultations took place in Brussels, led by Vice-President Sir Leon Brittan and Trade Minister Senator Bob McMullan. Both sides re-emphasised the need for a formal instrument to underpin the growing importance of the EU/Australia relationship. In the field of science, research and development, and education and training, the following issues were discussed: - Science and Technology Agreement: Australia requested an extension of the Agreement to include several additional areas including agriculture and fisheries, telematics, non-nuclear energy pilot projects and industrial technologies. The Commission agreed to consider this for discussion at the October meeting of the Joint S&T Cooperation Committee. - Joint Group on Industrial Cooperation: Both sides agreed on revised terms of reference incorporating two major amendments to the modus operandi of the Group. Firstly, industry sector meetings would be more industry driven, with officials playing a support role. Secondly, the dialogue on industry policy should be expanded. - Environment cooperation: Both sides agreed to arrange periodic joint overviews of environment concerns, intensifying contacts, by means of international meetings and policy and technical expert visits while giving consideration to other forms of cooperation as resources permit. - Competition policy: Noting that they were at the forefront of the development of international practice in this area, the two sides agreed to examine cooperation on competition policy and regulation, including examining the possibility of a cooperation agreement. - Information society: Both sides agreed to examine the scope for Australian participation in relevant pilot projects identified at the Brussels G7 Information Society Summit in February 1995. - Education and training: Both sides agreed to examine the possibility of an agreement to promote educational and academic exchanges. The next EC/Australia Ministerial Consultations will take place in 1996 in Australia. Countries Australia
