"It is a very important day for Polish science, but also for the Polish economy and Poland as a state," the country's Deputy Prime Minister Jarosław Gowin said as he signed the deal in Washington together with US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas A. Shannon.
Gowin, who also serves as Poland’s minister for science and higher education, said the agreement with the United States, "the world's biggest science powerhouse,” offered “a great opportunity for Polish research centres, universities and academics."
He added that the agreement marked "the opening of the next phase of Polish-American cooperation in science and business as well as defence."
America’s Shannon said that the United States and Poland espoused common values and shared a commitment to providing citizens with enhanced business opportunities.
The US Department of State said ahead of the signing ceremony that the U.S.-Poland Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation “underscores our mutual commitment to advancing scientific research for the benefit of the American and Polish people, strengthening our official science and technology relationship that spans the last 45 years.”
The State Department also said that the agreement “facilitates joint research, programs, scientific workshops, conferences, and exchanges of scientific and technical data in the areas of basic research, applied research and development, and innovation activities.”
Poland's Gowin on Monday began a four-day visit to the United States for talks on closer ties in science and business. He travelled to America in the company of officials including Entrepreneurship and Technology Minister Jadwiga Emilewicz.
While in Washington on Monday, Gowin took part in the official launch of the new Polish Chamber of Commerce in the United States.
Poland's trade with the United States last year was worth a record USD 12.7 billion, up from USD 10.4 billion in 2016, according to Poland’s Central Statistical Office.
(gs/pk)
Source: PAP, state.gov, niezalezna.pl