United States Signs Science and Technology Agreement with the Philippines

The United States and the Republic of the Philippines signed an Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, May 20, 2003. The Agreement will broaden and expand relations between the two countries through scientific and technological collaboration.

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell signed the Agreement on behalf of the United States and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Blas F. Ople, signed on behalf of the Philippines.

This is the first time such an agreement has been signed with the Philippines. This Agreement will allow each party to gain substantial benefits from collaborative scientific activities and promote the exchange of ideas, information, skills, and technologies in many areas, including information technology.

Upon implementation, the Philippines will be the 31st country with which the United States has an active broad scientific and technical cooperation agreement.