The declaration was ratified on Friday by Swiss Economics Minister Guy Parmelin during a diplomatic visit to Canada.
According to a press releaseExternal link by Parmelin’s ministry, the two countries want to deepen research relations by “sharing best practices, facilitating greater access to technology, markets and talent, and building linkages between academia, industry and government”.
The Canadian Minister for Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne, signed on behalf of Ottawa. The text expands on a similar joint statement from 2018.
The following topics in particular will be the focus of partnerships for the period up to 2028, the Swiss Economics Ministry said: climate and sustainability, life sciences and health, quantum science and technologies, and artificial intelligence.
Europe freeze
The agreement with Canada comes after several other research agreements signed with international partners in the past months, including the US and the UK.
After Switzerland in 2021 rejected an overarching framework agreement to govern long-term ties with the European Union, Brussels reacted by downgrading the Alpine Nation to non-associate status in the lucrative Horizon Europe research programme, which organises grants and access to prestigious scientific projects. This has led some Swiss researchers and institutions to fear being left out in the cold when it comes to future cutting-edge projects.
On Saturday, Parmelin told SRF public radio that the cooperation with countries inside and outside the EU was however not to be seen as a replacement for full association with Horizon Europe, which remains the top priority of the Swiss government.
Popular Stories
More
Life & Aging
Switzerland no longer wants to foot the bill for ‘suicide tourism’
Swiss parliament calls for deeper EU security cooperation
This content was published on
The House of Representatives has called on the Swiss government to take a more proactive approach to European security policy.
Switzerland has no US-style fentanyl problem, says health minister
This content was published on
There is very little chance of a US-sized fentanyl epidemic in Switzerland, says health minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider.
This content was published on
Two fish species recently discovered in Switzerland have been called fluvicola and ommata, following an appeal to the public for names.
Convicted ex-shipowner achieves partial success in Swiss court
This content was published on
The Federal Supreme Court orders lower court to reassess part of its verdict against former Swiss shipowner Hans-Jürg Grunder.
This content was published on
A Swiss moratorium on the genetic engineering of plants, which expires at the end of 2025, could be extended for five years.
SWISS airline achieves second-best profit in history
This content was published on
Revenues soared for Swiss International Air Lines in 2024, contributing to the second-largest profit in the company's history.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
What’s on the horizon for Swiss research in Europe?
This content was published on
After Switzerland’s exclusion from EU research schemes, the government stepped in with transitional grants and is seeking new research partnerships.
Swiss universities warn of ‘serious consequences’ of Horizon Europe exclusion
This content was published on
A joint resolution urges the government to ensure full participation in the EU's Horizon Europe research funding scheme by the end of 2022.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.