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No matter how difficult it is for the parties and the Federal Council to get involved in European politics, the federal government definitely wants to be part of “Horizon Europe”, the EU’s gigantic research program. Parliament has reserved more than six billion francs as a contribution.
In purely formal terms, the framework agreement and Horizon are not linked to each other, but now Brussels is using access to the program to generate pressure. Negotiations on Switzerland’s participation in Horizon are blocked. Furthermore: Martina Hirayama (51), Secretary of State for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), is currently not even getting an appointment with the responsible Brussels officials. SonntagsBlick learned this from various sources. “To date, the EU has refused to initiate informal exploratory talks with Switzerland and makes them dependent on the progress made in the institutional agreement,” admits the Secretary of State upon request. That means: without clarity in the framework agreement, there will be no discussions about Horizon.
The state government has always emphasized that the two files are not linked. The EU sees this, once again, a little differently.
The Secretary of State for Education, Research and Innovation does not expect negotiations to begin until at least April. However, it is emphasized that local scientists can already enter projects.
However, it is not clear if the money will actually leave Europe one day. Funding from Brussels can only occur if there is a partnership agreement for Horizon, writes the SERI. And that is exactly what the EU does not even want to discuss at the moment. If necessary, Parliament has already set aside funds to fill possible gaps. Of course, these contributions cannot replace membership in Horizon.
Brussels has run out of patience
Foreign politicians react in dismay to the stagnation. “The EU’s stance may seem brazen, but it simply shows that Switzerland has become impossible as a negotiating partner,” says SP National Councilor Eric Nussbaumer (60, BL). Patience in Brussels ran out. “There was one last delay in the run-up to the vote on the limitation initiative. The EU held back with comments on the framework agreement. “But after the failure of the Executive Vice President’s proposal at the polls, the Federal Council did not make a clear announcement.
But when Secretary of State Livia Leu (60), who is currently negotiating the framework agreement with the EU, presents her results, the government must show its colors. “It’s late enough,” says Nussbaumer. Liberal National Councilor Hans-Peter Portmann (58) warns: “Research under the Horizon umbrella has started a long time ago, including projects on Covid drugs.” You have to be honest, the unresolved relationship with the European Union is hurting Switzerland, in this case the research site of all things. “Many, including myself, have warned against this time and again,” says Portmann.
The Horizon maneuver is unlikely to improve the domestic political possibilities of the framework agreement.
Published: 03/14/2021, 12:46 am
