Amherd meets EU Commission President von der Leyen at Cern
Published: Tuesday, Oct 1st 2024, 17:20
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Switzerland celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Cern nuclear research center with several dozen countries in Geneva on Tuesday. President Viola Amherd met with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the event. Both want to set the pace for a new agreement between Bern and Brussels.
Von der Leyen had expressed optimism in the run-up to the talks. Both sides are aiming to conclude the talks by the end of this year, the EU Commission President wrote on the X online portal. The talks with von der Leyen also focused on the security situation in Europe, Amherd wrote in her own message on X.
The President of the Swiss Confederation praised the scientific achievements of Cern. In her speech on the occasion of the 70th anniversary, she praised the transnational collaboration and the "spirit of cooperation" from the founding period, which is now urgently needed.
"The institution we are celebrating today stands for the human thirst for knowledge. At the same time, it is a strong example of the successes that come from states working together rather than against each other," said Amherd.
Cern was founded at a time when Europe in particular was "strongly characterized by such a spirit of cooperation and hope for joint progress". And Switzerland will also set the course in the long term so that the organization can develop in the best possible way, Amherd assured.
European unity as the greatest trump card
EU Commission President von der Leyen paid tribute to the people who brought science back to Europe 70 years ago. Now almost every scientist wants to work at Cern. "European unity is our greatest asset," she emphasized, while at the same time warning against China as a challenger.
More than 30 countries were represented at the ceremony, which was attended by around a thousand people. The Director General of Cern, Fabiola Gianotti, made no secret of her pride. The facility "is a great success for Europe and its international partners", she said. It is also "an engine for innovation" that will later be used by society.
After the Second World War, Cern set itself the task of supporting cutting-edge scientific research in Europe and promoting peaceful cooperation in basic research. Since then, the research center has made many discoveries and advances.
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