State Secretary Hirayama attends informal EU ministerial meeting on competition in research and innovation
Bern, 31.03.2026 — On 31 March, Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, attended the informal meeting of EU research ministers. The meeting was held online under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Participants exchanged views on how Europe can leverage its scientific excellence to bring economic added value and achieve global competitiveness.
The discussion topic ‘From Research Excellence to Global Scale: Unlocking Europe’s Innovation Potential’ focussed on the general conditions needed to scale up innovation in Europe. Despite a strong scientific base, structural challenges remain – in particular regulatory fragmentation, limited access to funding and barriers that stand between research findings and marketable products and services.
State Secretary Hirayama emphasised that a more favourable regulatory climate was needed to enable high-growth companies to boost European innovation performance. These include a coherent and, where possible, streamlined regulatory framework, improved access to venture capital, and stronger networking among European innovation ecosystems.
From Switzerland’s perspective, a close link between research and innovation is also essential. Key success factors in this regard include an efficient research and innovation system organised from the ‘bottom-up’ and close cooperation between research communities and the private sector.
At the same time, State Secretary Hirayama stressed the importance of open and inclusive European cooperation structures. Europe’s appeal as a hub for innovation depends largely on ensuring that the best researchers, companies and investors have access to strong research and innovation ecosystems. Close cooperation through EU research and innovation programmes – with the participation of associated countries – is central to this.