For Switzerland and especially for Swissnex, the recently signed MoU between Spain and Switzerland represents a considerable step forward for several reasons: it is the first to be signed with a European Union country and with the member State that is currently holding the Presidency of the Council (second half of 2023). In addition to this special institutional relevance, the MoU reaffirms the constant support to the respective research and innovation communities of both countries to undertake bilateral and multilateral activities, which have been regularly promoted by the Embassy of Switzerland to Spain and Andorra as well as by the Spanish counterparts. Finally, it intensifies cooperation between the two countries, especially in the priority areas of the bilateral cooperation, the promotion of joint projects between companies, universities and research centres of both countries, the fostering staff exchanges and the organisation of events such as seminars.
In the near future, I see a flourishing scientific and innovation collaboration between Spain and Switzerland. Both countries have recognised the importance of joining forces to address global challenges, such as climate change, energy transition or digital transformation. My role as a Counsellor for Scientific and Cultural Affairs should be to support scientists, researchers, experts and artists from both countries to work together on those areas. I also see myself as helping universities and research centres in both countries to be more actively engaged in academic exchanges and joint programmes. This not only drives innovation, but also promotes deeper understanding between both cultures and fosters joint problem solving.
In short, we should further work towards a future where science and innovation between Spain and Switzerland are closely intertwined, driving technological breakthroughs and improving the quality of life. This cooperation not only benefits both countries, but also has a positive impact on the global community as a whole. My role as Counsellor for Scientific and Cultural Affairs is to encourage this exchange and promote this development.

Until now, the bilateral approach had followed the old Swissnex motto “Connecting the dots”, organising exchange and dissemination events.
From now on and with the additional leverage of the MoU, we will start to apply the new Swissnex slogan “#Connecting tomorrow” to identify future trends, challenges and opportunities in education, research and innovation with the participation of relevant institutions in Switzerland and Spain, including the different interested communities of the broader Swissnex network as well as other external partners such as the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), SwissUniversities, Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE), Innosuisse, GESDA, etc. The aim is that both countries collaborate in the development of technologies and solutions that will shape the future. An example of this is the Quantum project, in which the Swissnex representation to Spain is also involved in establishing bridges between Spanish institutions and relevant stakeholders in Switzerland and worldwide. The Barcelona Supercomputing Center, which will receive one of the six quantum computers of the European Union in the future, is in that regard a very concrete opportunity.