holding of international and national conferences, symposia, seminars, courses and other meetings of a scientific and technological character, which would include the participation of foreign scientists and technologists;
joint preparation and implementation of programmes and projects of mutual interest on the basis of consultation and agreement among all parties concerned, including, where possible and appropriate, exchanges of experience and research results, and correlation of research programmes, between scientific and technological research institutions and organisations; use of commercial channels and methods for identifying and transferring technological and scientific developments, including the conclusion of mutually beneficial co-operation arrangements between firms and enter- prises in fields agreed upon between them and for carrying out, where appropriate, joint research and development programmes and projects; consider it desirable that periodic exchanges of views and information take place on scientific policy, in particular on general problems of orientation and administration of research and the question of a better use of large-scale scientific and experimental equipment on a co-operative basis;
recommend that, in developing co-operation in the field of science and technology, full use be made of existing practices of bilateral and multilateral co-operation, including that of a regional or sub-regional character, together with the forms and methods of co-operation described in this document;
recommend further that more effective utilisation be made of the possibilities and capabilities of existing international organisations, intergovernmental and non-governmental, concerned with science and technology, for improving ex- changes of information and experience, as well as for developing other forms of co-operation in fields of common interest, for example:
in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, study of possi- bilities for expanding multilateral co-operation, taking into account models for projects and research used in various international organisations; and for sponsoring conferences, symposia, and study and working groups such as those which would bring together younger scientists and technologists with eminent specialists in their field;
through their participation in particular international scientific and technological co-operation programmes, including those of UNESCO and other international organisations, pursuit of continuing progress towards the objectives of such programmes, notably those of UNISIST with particular respect to information policy guidance, technical advice, information contributions and data processing.
The participating States,
5. Environment
Affirming that the protection and improvement of the environment, as well as the protection of nature and the rational utilisation of its resources in the interests of present and future generations, is one of the tasks of major import- ance to the well-being of peoples and the economic development of all countries and that many environmental problems, particularly in Europe, can be solved effectively only through close international co-operation,
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