Einar Steensnæs, Minister for Petroleum and Energy, and Spencer Abraham, Secretary of Energy, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) betweenNorwayand theUnited Stateson energy research and technology. The MoU was signed 23 May in connection with the Ministers' participation in the 9th International Energy Forum meeting inAmsterdam.

The two countries share a common interest on energy related research and technology, which may be strengthened through focused and intensified bilateral effort in several R&D areas such as oil and gas exploitation, carbon sequestration, hydrogen research, as well as research on new renewable energy.

The signing of the MoU marks the formal agreement between Norway and the United States in pursuing long term collaborative opportunities within these and possible other areas.

An active involvement has been secured by representatives from industry, research institutions and academic communities within the research and technology areas already identified.

A bilateral meeting in New Orleans on 10 and 11 May addressed a wide range of issues and collaborative opportunities engaginga broad representation of government and private sector stake holders in both countries. This meeting laid the basis for a joint action plan for further bilateral follow-ups.