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The readmission of the British into the EU program isolates Switzerland even more. Science is increasingly concerned.
Great Britain is once again part of the largest research and innovation program in the world: Horizon. Brussels expects London to contribute the equivalent of 2.6 billion francs per year to participate in Horizon Europe and the Copernicus satellite program.
We look at this successful negotiation with great respect.
There are people in Switzerland who are really happy about the British success. For example, Michael Hengartner, President of the ETH Board: “This is good news for British and continental European science. It’s good for Europe.”
Michael Schaepmann, Rector of the University of Zurich, also congratulates the British and praises their success in negotiations. He knows the agreement in detail because he followed the negotiations closely through his contacts with British universities. London negotiated excellently, he says. The British government negotiated participation in a very short time and on very advantageous terms.
Although accession will not take place until January 1, 2024, researchers can already prepare and get started.
Schaepmann also describes it as a success that the government in London has already called on British researchers to submit proposals. Although British universities will not join until January 1, 2024, they can already prepare and get started.
And Switzerland?
Switzerland and Great Britain actually decided months ago to intensify bilateral scientific cooperation because neither had full access to EU programs.
As great as the British are happy about the agreement with the EU, Schaepmann fears negative consequences for Switzerland: “The British will now focus on participation in Horizon Europe projects, from which Switzerland is largely completely excluded. We are isolated and alone again.”
It makes Switzerland’s position even more special, but also shows that if there is a will, a way can be found.
Switzerland is likely to become even lonelier. According to Hengartner from the ETH Board, this makes Switzerland’s position even more special because it is now the only country in the middle of Europe that is not associated. But it also shows that if the will is there, a way can be found.
EU ambassador: “Prerequisites have been clear for a long time”
The EU has moved towards Great Britain. Does it also do the same towards Switzerland? The question goes to Petros Mavromichalis, the EU ambassador in Bern. The EU would like to allow Swiss universities to participate again and the conditions for this have actually been clear for a long time, he says.
Mavromichalis refers to the ongoing exploratory talks on the numerous outstanding points of contention: “A positive outcome of the ongoing exploratory talks and a clear political commitment to resolving the outstanding structural issues in our relations will also pave the way for negotiations on full association with Horizon and other programs. »
The general political will of the Federal Council to move forward is therefore crucial for the start of negotiations on Horizon. But the Federal Council is being buttoned up. It may take a while for an agreement to be reached, although even the responsible State Secretariat would like to move forward, as it announced in writing. Scientists fear that with further delays, Switzerland will gradually and gradually lose its attractiveness as a location.