Baden-Württemberg and Switzerland: Design partnership for the future!

Baden-Württemberg and Switzerland: Design partnership for the future!

Baden-Württemberg, Deutschland - What's up in Baden-Württemberg and Switzerland? An exciting partnership becomes the new bridge between the regions! Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann brings a breath of fresh air to cross -border cooperation and emphasizes the innovative strength of both regions. The planned measures in business, science and technology promise that the connection will not only be deepened, but also redesigned. "We have a common Alemannic culture and European values ​​that combine us," emphasizes Kretschmann, while introducing the new Switzerland strategy, which serves as a political framework for future cooperation. A look at the commitment shows: Baden-Württemberg sees itself as a bridge builder between Switzerland and the EU, which is of particular importance in times of charged political relationships

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The update of the Swiss strategy, which was originally launched in 2017, determines focus in various areas. These include close cooperation with ETH Zurich, the networking of clusters in the healthcare industry and aerospace. Particularly noteworthy is the electrification of the Hochrheinbahn by 2027, which should enable a quick connection from Basel via Schaffhausen and Constance to St. Gallen. In addition, the development of a hydrogen economy is forced that positions the Freiburg/Basel region as a central hub. These projects are part of a broad strategy that also focuses on democracy and citizen dialogue. Democracy conferences with the canton of Aargau should strengthen political exchange.

Baden-Württemberg and Switzerland: a duo with potential

But what does that mean specifically for the people in this country? Especially in view of the numerous commuters who cross the border every day. With a 300 km long border and around 57,000 commuters between Baden-Württemberg and Switzerland, the need for clear agreements is evident. The new strategy is also intended to address the challenges in the field of free movement, which are considered the central stumbling block for the negotiations between Bern and Brussels. Despite these challenges, the collaboration is recorded, as State Secretary Florian Haßler emphasizes.

The location is not only shaped by political sticking points. The failure of the last EU framework agreement with Switzerland in May 2021, which paralyzed progress in the negotiations, remains in the back of the head. Nevertheless, there are also bright spots, so a new cooperation agreement could be signed by 2026 or 2027. Kretschmann and the state government are involved intensively to get the talks going again.

Scientific cooperation and educational offers

Another mainstay of the partnership are the 130 existing cooperation between universities, which are not only maintained with Switzerland, but also with Austria and Liechtenstein. The lack of legal foundations have so far made it difficult to get EU funds, but from January 1, 2025, participation in "Horizon Europe" and other programs will be made possible, which represents another boost for the region's research perspectives.

The Minister of Science Petra Olschowski already signed a declaration of intent with the canton of Zurich in 2024, which motivates ETH Zurich to open a branch in Heilbronn. Here, a teaching and research center for digital transformation and the first professorships are to be launched in 2025, which increases expectations of future-oriented education. All of these measures underline how important the partnership between Baden-Württemberg and Switzerland is for the future of both regions.