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G Conclusions of Roundfable on Bilateral Cooperation to Address the Public Health Aspects of Dangerous Pathogens (Petrovo-DaInyee, April 28-29,1997) 1. The Russian participants expressed their appreciation to the National Academy of Sciences and its Institute of Medicine for proposing the Roundtable on a topic of great importance to Russia and the United States. The American participants expressed their appreciation to RAO Biopreparat for organizing the Roundtable and for ensuring excellent working conditions and living arrangements. 2. The presentations and discussions underscored the importance of the contributions of American and Russian scientists to improving prophylaxis, epidemiological monitoring, and therapy of infectious diseases. 3. Expanded bilateral cooperation between American and Russian specialists could combine important and unique national capabilities of the two countries and of the broader international community to improve understanding of the characteristics of dangerous pathogens and to reduce risks to public health and national security. 4. An important conf~dence-building step would be an expansion of bilateral cooperation at the laboratory {eve! in an atmosphere of transparency, with exchanges of scientists having experience with dangerous pathogens, including specialists who are working on defense topics, as well as other specialists. 5. The participants welcomed the progress in developing the initial collaborative research projects to be supported by the National Academy of Sciences through the International Science and Technology Center and to be carried out by the State Research Center for Virology and Biotechnology "Vector" and the State Research Center for Applied Microbiology. 6. In looking to the future, the participants discussed different approaches to expand cooperation. There are important issues that must be resolved at the governmental level and scientists can assist in identifying such issues as collaboration expands. 7. The Russian participants will establish a small working group to continue to provide suggestions to the National Academy of Sciences during the next several months as to future collaborative activities which would be important in improving the prophylaxis, epidemiological monitoring, and therapy of diseases caused by dangerous pathogens. The National Academy of Sciences will communicate with RAG Biopreparat concerning the next steps in this regard. Yuri Kalinin Head of Russian Delegation Petrovo-DaInyee April 29, ~ 997 John Steinbruner Head of American Delegation
