This LOI has been approved by both the GGF's Grid Forum Steering Group (GFSG) and the EGA Board of Directors. It was the result of hundreds of hours spent developing and agreeing upon an overall merger framework based

upon a set of guiding principles for success. Both organisations expect the benefits to their members and the Grid community to include the following items:

• The ability to move quickly to create standards and architectures that will accelerate Grid adoption
• A clearer voice for communicating their views, direction, progress and results
• More effective collaboration with other Grid organisations, industry and government bodies, vendors and research organisations

For now, a joint team will begin merger transition planning, with the expected result of a new, merged organisation in Summer 2006.

Finally, both organisations want to stress that until the merger is concluded, each organisation will continue to operate independently. This will preserve the continuity of work including all technical, marketing and membership

activities.