Swiss President stresses role of science in diplomacy during Japan visit
Switzerland and Japan have agreed closer cooperation on research during the visit of President and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis to the east Asian country.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/urs
Español
es
La ciencia ocupó un lugar destacado en la visita a Japón del presidente suizo
The agreement on joint scientific research projects was signed during a three-day presidential visit to Japan that ended on Thursday. Cassis was also accompanied by representatives from Swiss business and academia.
He gave a speech at Kyoto University about the role of science and diplomacy, according to a Swiss foreign ministryExternal link statement on Thursday.
“The international community must be able to harness potential developments in scientific research and take the best possible decisions on behalf of all human beings around the world,” he is quoted as saying.
Cassis also visited the city of Osaka and took part in a ceremony for the planned construction of a new Swiss consulate in the Kansai economic region.
The Swiss delegation met organisers of the World Expo in Osaka due to open in autumn 2025.
Politics and trade
In talks with the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, Cassis addressed a potential strengthening of bilateral partnerships, notably in digitalisation and education.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine was also on the agenda, according to the Swiss foreign ministry.
However, hopes of upgrading a bilateral free trade agreement between Switzerland and Japan appear to have been unfulfilled.
Cassis indicated that Switzerland might have to adapt its current policy, according to the Neue Zürcher Zeitung newspaper. Switzerland was a pioneer when it inked a free trade deal with Japan in 2009, but the European Union has boosted its trade ties with Japan since.
Geneva decides not to remove controversial memorials
This content was published on
The city of Geneva has presented an action plan regarding a series of controversial local statues and monuments of historical figures linked to racism, colonialism or slavery.
University of Lausanne calls for end to pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
The pro-Palestinian occupation continues at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). On Monday evening, a group of students refused to agree to the deadline set by the rectorate.
Ukraine peace conference should include Russia, says Chinese ambassador
This content was published on
China supports a peace conference on the Ukraine war that would see equal participation of all parties, says Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui.
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
This content was published on
The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
Ecological status of Swiss streams insufficient according to study
This content was published on
Pesticide use and obstructions of waterways have a particularly negative impact on sensitive organisms, completely absent in 70% of streams analysed.
Train line between Brig and Domodossola interrupted
This content was published on
One day after a derailment approximately 15 kilometres from the Swiss border, BLS is running buses for passengers between Preglia and Domodossola, in Italy.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland will participate in the World Expo 2025 in Osaka
This content was published on
The government has set aside a budget of CHF17.6 million ($18.8 million) to host a Swiss Pavilion at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan.
Swiss, Japanese leaders agree to explore trade deal upgrade
This content was published on
Swiss President Guy Parmelin said economic ties between the two countries were strong after meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.