Switzerland Agreements with Eu
Many believe that the EU is bluffing because it also benefits from close relations with Switzerland. Daniel Lampart, chief economist of the Swiss Trade Union Confederation, commented on the government`s decision, saying: “The European Commission would be stupid” to jeopardise good regulated economic relations with Switzerland. InstA`s skeptics also point to the experience of 1992, when, despite fears of a deterioration in relations between Switzerland and the EU, the rejection of EEA membership eventually led to a favourable and tailor-made agreement with Switzerland. It is therefore generally expected that Switzerland will be able to continue on the bilateral path with the EU. Swiss citizens also fear that EU membership will be incompatible with their system of direct democracy, which is dear to them. Enter the potential framework agreement between Switzerland and the EU, which aims to replace the 120 existing bilateral agreements and would bind Switzerland more closely to the EU. At the same time, the rejection of pro-European parties poses new challenges. At present, they are very divided and, as the recent debate has shown, are in favour of different solutions to the question of how to relate to the EU. The Social Democrats are open to the question of EU membership, the Liberal Greens want Switzerland to join the EEA and the Greens are looking for another form of rapprochement.
The radicals want to maintain bilateralism, but are also open to new partnerships outside the EU and want an economic liberalisation package to offset the costs of abandoning the IFA. Like the Centre Party, however, they are divided on this issue and their position has been weakened by the sudden resignation of their party leader. The rejection came as a real shock to most Swiss people. Unexpectedly and without regard for Parliament, he seemed unusually abrupt and determined to throw away years of hard work without giving a clear vision of the future. Nevertheless, it has created a new diplomatic situation, to the liking of Christoph Blocher and other Eurosceptics in the country. Switzerland signed a free trade agreement with the then European Economic Community in 1972, which entered into force in 1973. [2] Switzerland and the European Union have a close and unique relationship, but it is a relationship that remains in limbo after the Swiss government decided on 26 May to abandon negotiations on an institutional framework agreement (INSTA) with the EU. What is the agreement, why did the Swiss reject it and what about relations? In 2004, a new set of sectoral agreements (so-called “bilateral II”) was signed concerning, inter alia, Switzerland`s participation in Schengen and Dublin, as well as agreements on taxation of savings income, processed agricultural products, statistics, the fight against fraud, participation in the EU media programme and the Environment Agency. In view of Switzerland`s refusal to join the UNION, cooperation has developed on the basis of ad hoc agreements. However, the EU said that the lack of common rules could lead to Switzerland losing its “privileged” connection to the EU`s electricity system and that the failure of an agreement “hinders Swiss airlines` access to the EU`s single market”. In the meantime, the government`s decision has given rise to considerable domestic political debate.
Relations between Switzerland and the EU have turned into a global split with several key parties, notably the Liberal Democrats and the Social Democrats, which are torn between a Europhile camp and a Eurosceptic camp. Not surprisingly, reactions vary considerably: opinions differ on whether Switzerland should contribute to the EU`s Cohesion Funds, to what extent a substantial update of national legislation is possible and on the merits of a new political dialogue. The Federal Council`s decision to end talks with Brussels, which have been ongoing since 2014, means that the two sides will not be able to improve a patchwork of bilateral agreements on issues such as trade and transport of medical devices – some of which are nearly 50 years old. In statements, Brussels warned that these bilateral agreements “will inevitably age” and threatened that without the broader partnership agreement, “no new agreements will be concluded with Switzerland and existing agreements may not be updated.” In 2009, Switzerland participated in the Schengen area with the adoption of an Association Agreement by referendum in 2005. [13] This means that there is no passport control at Switzerland`s borders with its neighbours, although customs controls continue to apply. “To give an example, we have been in talks with the Swiss for some time about an electricity deal,” the senior Commission official said, referring to discussions on an agreement that would better regulate electricity exchanges between the EU`s and Switzerland`s closely interconnected power grids. She also predicted that relations between the EU and Switzerland would deteriorate as existing bilateral agreements on issues such as trade become increasingly outdated: “Even today they are not up to date with what eu-Switzerland relations should and could be.” In this context, it is not surprising that the Swiss government wants to consolidate and expand existing bilateral relations on a case-by-case basis. .
- On April 3, 2022
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