Australia and Italy finalise SKA cooperation MOU
Earlier this year Australia hosted a visit from an Italian trade delegation lead by Deputy Minister for Economic Development, Mr Adolfo Urso. The delegation included several institutes and companies with an interest in the SKA project including the Istituto Nazionale di Astrofiscia and major aerospace firms Finmeccania and Thales Alenia Space. While in Australia, Deputy Minister Urso met with Senator the Hon Kim Carr, Australian Government Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. The ministers agreed to work towards a Memorandum of Understanding between Italy and Australia on SKA cooperation. That MOU has now been finalised and was formally signed in Rome on 10 July 2009 by Deputy Minister Urso and the Australian Ambassador to Italy, the Hon Amanda Vanstone. A Steering Group to guide the implementation of the MOU is currently being established and is expected to meet soon.