* 4AUSTRALIA. L
PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEMENT NO. 431
16 January 1975
AUSTRALIA/ USSR SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION
The Prime Minister, Mr. E. G. Whitlam, and
Soviet Prime Minister, Mr. A. N. Kosygin, yesterday signed in
Moscow an agreement between the Australian and USSR Governments
for scientific and technical co-operation.
In the first instance five fields are to be given
priority for co-operation. They are: earth sciences, plant
industry, radioastronomy, entomology and textile technology.
Small groups of experts in these fields will exchange visits
so that long-term programs for co-operation can be prepared.
The first of these visits has been made by an
Australian group of earth scientists which toured the USSR in
December 1974, for discussions with their Soviet counterparts.
Soviet groups in textile technology and radioastronomy will
visit Australia in February for talks with Australian
scientists and inspections of laboratories. Other exchanges.,.
will take place in subsequent months.
As a result of the pri6r negotiation of the agreement
there has already been a strengthening of scientific cooperation
between Australia and the USSR in some of the
priority areas. It is hoped that the agreement wil'l benefit
scientific development in both countries, and thereby contribute
to furthering bilateral relations between Australia and the USSR.
The agreement will facilitate increased co-operation in both the
natural and the social sciences.
The text of the agreement is attached.
CANBERRAi A. C. T.
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA AND THE
GOVERHIMENT OF THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS
ON SCIENTIFIC-TECHNICAL COOPERATION
The Government of Australia and the Government of the
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics,
Expressing satisfaction with relations established in
the sphere of science and technology between various organizations
of both countries, Taking into consideration the cooperation of both
countries in international scientific programs,
Desirous of facilitating further growth of scientifictechnological
cooperation and exchangcs between government
scientific, technical and indruLtrial research organizations of
both countries, Convinced that the implementation of such cooperation
will contribute to the development of mutual understanding between
tho Australian and Soviet peoples and the strength6ning of good
relations between the two countries,
HAVE AGREED on the following:
Article I
The Government of Australia and the Government of the
Union of -Soviet Socialist Republics will facilitate-the development
of scientific-technical cooperation between government research
organizations of both countries on the basis of mutual benefit and
reciprocity. Article II
With the consent of both Governments, such cooperation
may be implemented in the following forms:
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the exchange of visits of scientists, technical
specialists ' addelegations with the aim of carrying out scientific
research or for familiarization with the scientific-technical
achievements in each country;
the organization of bilateral conferences and
symposia on current problems in the development of science and
technology; the exchange of scientific-technical information
and documentation; the pursuit of joint research activities and any
other joint activities for the furtherance of scientific and
technical cooperation; Ce) other forms of cooperation, which will be mutually
agreed upon. Article III
In the spirit of the agreement, both Governments will
facilitate thie establishment of direct contacts and cooperation
between scientific and technical organizations of both countries
and the conclusion where necessary of separate implementinG
arrangements. Such implementing arrangements will be concluded in
acc'orlance with the laws of both countries.
Article IV
1. Both governments will, as far as possible, seek to create
favourable conditions for the carrying out of visits and of exchanges
of scientific and technical specialists within the fra ' mework of the
Agreement. Such visits and exchrinjes will be implem~ nted on the
b'-nrf reciprocity in accordance witCh the laws of each country.
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2. Programs, itineraries of trips, times and dates of
arrival, an& other details of such visits and exchanges will be
agreed upon in advance, in principle no less than 30 days beforehand.
3. Expenses connected with the implementation of visits
will be paid by the Government of the sending country unless some
alternative arrangement is agreed by the organizations concerned
on other bases of funding. Supplementary financial arrangements
will be determined where necessary for the support of other forms
of cooperation. Article V
The present Agreement does not preclude visits and
exchanges, outside the scope of the Agreement. The Government
of one country shall inform the other, by diplomatic channels,
of such visits and exchanges with the aim of rendering necessary
assistance in their organization.
Article VI
Subject to consultation between the two Governments
suintif~ c information, obtained as a result of joint scientific
research, carried out within the framework of the Agreement, may
be passed to international scientific organisations.
Article VII
Wherever necessary, representatives designated by the
r, 3_ pc : 7vernronts will meet to Jiscuss areas and specific
prco&' Tms of scientific-technical op-ratio., stages in the
mij. lerinta'ion ot agreed measu es and ; ther -relating
to t. ie pres:;-. n Aremt.
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Article V111
The present Agreement shall enter into force on the
date of signature;
The present Agreement shall remain in force initially
for four years, and thereafter shall remain in force until
such time as either Government has received the written
notification of the Government of the other side of its
intention to terminate the Agreement, in such case the
Agreement will cease to have effect 180 days after the receipt
of such notification. Moscow fifteenth
Done at of
January seventy five
one thousand nine hundred and
in two copies each in the English and Russian languages,
both texts being equally authentic.
For the Government For the Government of the
of Australia Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics
E. G. WHITLAM A. N. KOSYGIN