AUSTRALIA—GERMANY WORKSHOP ON BIODIVERSITY

The Shine Dome, 13-17 March 2006

Remarks
by His Excellency Mr Martin Lutz, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Australia

Mr Lutz said that during his visits to Australian universities, he was constantly surprised and impressed by the multitude of individual cooperative projects between Australian and German scientists, springing from private initiatives, often without public support or official knowledge.

In this context, he highlighted the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and FEAST, the Forum for European-Australian Science and Technology Cooperation, which had established itself as a valuable tool to strengthen the exchange between Australia and Germany.

Mr Lutz thanked the Australian Government, in particular the Department of Education, Science and Training, and the Australian Academy of Science for organising the workshop, and all participants for demonstrating their commitment to cooperation. He hoped that this workshop would be only the first in a series of similar events.