Politicians make case for Swiss association to Horizon Europe

Switzerland finds ally in Austria as it pushes to retain EU research links

Politicians from Switzerland and Austria argued the case for Swiss association to Horizon Europe at a meeting with colleagues from across the continent earlier this week, after the European Commission excluded Switzerland from a group of non-EU countries granted provisional access to the 2021-27 EU R&D programme.

Association provides the fullest possible participation in EU R&D programmes for countries outside the bloc, but Swiss association to Horizon Europe has been derailed by the Swiss government’s decision in May to walk away from talks on an overarching framework agreement with the EU, citing differences on topics including wage protection and state aid.