Franco-Soviet Exchanges in Science and Technology: Instrumentation

Abstract

As we know, an agreement on scientific, technical and economic co-operation has been in existence between France and the USSR since 1966, when it was signed by General de Gaulle during a visit to the USSR. The agreement set up a joint commission (the “Petite Commission”) to implement the 1966 agreement and all subsequent intergovernmental agreements, notably those signed in 1973 and 1977. The specific areas of co-operation — reflected in the activities of over 30 joint groups — include scientific instrumentation, which was first tackled in 1974 by a scientific and technical working party and has, since 1980, been dealt with by a scientific, technical, industrial and commercial Sectoral Group. The two countries’ delegations have regularly been formed around a new stable nucleus. On the French side they include scientific experts and industrialists as well as officials from the relevant ministries, in particular the Ministry of Industry and Research. On the Soviet side there are usually representatives of research institues (mainly of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR), the technical ministries, the GKNT and the purchasing co-operatives. It should be noted in passing that it is the intention of the Academy of Sciences to play a part in not only the design but also the manufacture of scientific equipment.