The  concerning the conclusion on behalf of the European Community and the European Atomic Energy Community of the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation has been approved by the Decision of the Council and of the Commission of 25 February 2008 and published in the OJ of 28th march.

The agreement means that legal entities established in Switzerland may participate in all the specific programmes of the Seventh EC and Euratom Framework Programmes. Swiss legal entities may participate in the activities of the Joint Research Centre of the Communities.

As the seventh framework programme started in 2007 this agreement has it effects since 1st January 2007.

In relation to the budget, the proportionality factor governing Switzerland's contribution to the Seventh EC and Euratom Framework Programmes, except the Fusion Programme, shall be obtained by establishing the ratio between Switzerland's gross domestic product, at market prices, and the sum of gross domestic products, at market prices, of the Member States of the European Union.