NEWS

Cooperation in Education, Science and High Technologies Remains a Priority for Bulgaria and Switzerland

President Rumen Radev met in Bern with the head of state of the Swiss Confederation, Viola Amherd

Cooperation in education, science and high technologies remains a priority for Bulgaria and Switzerland. Presidents Rumen Radev and Viola Amherd, at whose invitation the Bulgarian head of state is on a working visit to the Swiss Confederation, gathered around this at a meeting in Bern. Rumen Radev held a one-on-one meeting with President Amherd, after which the two led plenary talks between the Bulgarian and Swiss delegations.

The two presidents shared a common position on the excellent state of bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Switzerland and the implementation of joint projects that have a positive impact in various spheres of mutual interest. The President expressed gratitude for the Swiss support in the education sector, which is key for the future of our country, and emphasised the successes achieved in the field of dual professional training in our country. In the second stage of the implementation of the Framework Agreement between the governments of the two countries, funding in the amount of 92.5 million Swiss francs is provided for the period 2024-2029 with an emphasis on education, science, scientific research, high technology, security, migration, civil society in our country. An excellent example of good cooperation in the research sector is the opening in Sofia of the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) in 2022. The Institute is in partnership with Switzerland's two largest technological universities - the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich and the Polytechnic University of Lausanne. INSAIT is the only one of its kind in Eastern Europe and has established itself as an important centre for the development of scientific and research activities, as well as for exchange between our young scientists. Our country is also interested in practices from the Swiss experience in activities aimed at the development of young people by engaging state support for a healthy lifestyle and sports, said President Radev in his conversation with his Swiss opposite number.

Switzerland is an important partner not only for Bulgaria in a bilateral plan, but also for the European Union, with which the confederation maintains both intensive commercial and economic ties and shares common values and culture. Bulgaria supports the development of this partnership in all areas and in the interest of the citizens of the EU and Switzerland, said Rumen Radev.

The two presidents united around the need to strengthen multilateral instruments for cooperation within the UN and other international organisations and formats. In connection with Switzerland's current position as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Rumen Radev stated that the role of the organisation should be strengthened in terms of preventing the occurrence of conflicts, as well as for their quick resolution. The President also pointed out that it is important to preserve the legitimacy of international institutions so that there are no public doubts about their activities and decisions.

In response to a journalist's question about the upcoming Summit for Peace in Ukraine, which is being organised by Switzerland and Ukraine in June this year, the president emphasised that the forum is an extremely important first step towards starting a peace dialogue. He congratulated Switzerland on this commitment. According to the president, it is important to talk not only about weapons, but also about peace. The two presidents agreed that without the presence of one of the parties to the military conflict, practical results can hardly be achieved at this stage and it is of key importance to involve the maximum number of countries.

In Bern, President Radev also held a meeting with representatives of the management of the Swiss company Pilatus Aircraft. The training aircraft of the company - PC-9M, which Bulgaria has at its disposal, contributed a lot to the flight training of our air force. At the meeting, the possibilities for maintaining the aircraft were discussed. Prospects for future cooperation in connection with the training of our pilots in the context of the acquisition of the F-16 fighters, as well as opportunities for industrial cooperation, were also discussed.