Switzerland ready to deal with ‘key partner’ UK after ‘world leaders’ snubbed by EU | Science | news
The two scientific powerhouses appear to have joined forces to strike an exciting deal after both nations were snubbed by the EU. The bloc banned Britain from joining Horizon Europe, its £80 billion flagship research and development (R&D) scheme via the Northern Ireland Protocol. Switzerland has also been told it cannot join the scheme, which allows countries to access the bloc’s vast pool of funding and allows scientists to collaborate with other European partners over a political feud.
But now, in a major show of force, the two nations are joining forces to finalize a deal of their own, though both countries still stress they are determined to link up with Horizon Europe.
Switzerland’s State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, Guy Paremlin, told Express.co.uk: “Switzerland’s association with Horizon Europe and related programs and initiatives remains the stated objective of the Federal Council.
“We are ready to start negotiations in this regard.
“Regardless of a possible association, Switzerland would like to strengthen its bilateral relations in research and innovation with important partners such as Great Britain.
“We are working to further deepen and expand our excellent relationship with the UK in these areas to leverage synergies, strengthen the research and innovation landscape and ultimately address societal challenges in Europe.”
This comes after Science Minister George Freeman visited Switzerland in February to explore a strengthened partnership between Switzerland and the UK.
Mr Freeman tweeted ahead of his visit: “To Switzerland tonight for a two day trip to explore a British-Swiss science and research collaboration.
“Great Britain and Switzerland are scientific powerhouses with large, common research interests.
“Together we have nine out of ten of the best universities in Europe.”
Mr Parmelin, who is also a former President of Switzerland, told Express.co.uk that Mr Freeman’s visit was an “excellent opportunity” to build a closer relationship between the two nations.
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“It was an excellent opportunity to discuss various ways to intensify collaboration in research and innovation and in this context we agreed to work towards a memorandum of understanding as part of this strengthening process.”
And Switzerland seems to have a lot to offer Great Britain in this area.
Mr Parmelin said: “Switzerland is home to some of the world’s leading research institutes.
“These house modern research infrastructures, some of which are unique in Europe. The Swiss universities – the Federal Institutes of Technology (ETH Zurich and EPF Lausanne), the cantonal universities, the universities of applied sciences and the universities of teacher education – offer a wide range of study and research opportunities.
“They perform strongly in international rankings and make a significant contribution to research and innovation. In addition, there are around 30 research institutions of national importance, which make a significant contribution to scientific value creation in all departments and disciplines.”
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He added: “Switzerland is one of the most competitive countries in the world in research and innovation. It is among the countries with the highest R&D spending as a percentage of gross domestic product, with more than two-thirds of Swiss R&D spending going to the private sector.
“The research and innovation landscape includes world-class universities, research excellence centers as well as some of the most innovative companies and a vibrant start-up ecosystem. Its research facilities are highly internationalized and attract talent from all over the world.”
It also comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Swiss President Ignazio Cassis met for talks in late April as Britain seeks an “unprecedented” post-Brexit trade deal.
International Trade Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: “As two service superpowers, we have a tremendous opportunity to negotiate a modern, ambitious and unprecedented deal.
“It will boost both our economies and show the world what is possible between two like-minded and innovative nations, firmly based in Europe but outside the EU.”