Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter signs Swiss-EU bilateral agreement

Bern, 15. Today, a new Swiss-EU bilateral agreement was signed by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Ms Androulla Vassiliou, the EU Commissioner for Culture, Education , Multiligualism, and Youth and Mr Ángel Gabilondo Pujol, Spanish Minister of Education and representative of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union . This bilateral agreement will enable Switzerland to officially take part in EU Education , training and youth programmes. It will also serve as an ideal complement to Switzerland's previous activities in the European Higher Education Area and the European Research Area. In December 2009, the National Council approved the draft agreement and the necessary funding. The Council of States is expected to discuss the agreement in the spring session. On his trip to Brussels, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter was accompanied by Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, head of the Canton of Jura's Department of Education , Culture and Sports, who represented the Conference of Cantonal Governments.