U.S., Switzerland sign technology ageement

Under the agreement, the two countries will conduct joint programs, studies and investigations, the State Department said.

The United States and Switzerland have entered into an agreement on scientific and technological cooperation designed to foster joint research programs, State Department officials announced today.

The agreement, signed April 1, commits the countries to strengthen and promote scientific and technological cooperation on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit, department officials said.

The agreement calls for joint programs, studies and investigations, and the countries will also work together on scientific programs, workshops, conferences and symposia. Both countries will exchange scientific and technological information under the agreement, State said.

The agreement also provides that each side will facilitate visa entry requirements for researchers engaged in scientific programs under the pact.

Switzerland and the United States have had a collaborative relationship in the areas of education, scientific research and innovation for decades, State officials said. Numerous institutional agreements on research cooperation and student exchanges have been established between several Swiss and American universities, but the new arrangement is the first bilateral agreement between the countries.