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Tram line 8 from Basel’s SBB train station takes 28 minutes to connect Switzerland to the European Union. The Federal Council led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis (62) needs more time.
Switzerland has been discussing with the EU for years how to continue relations. The Federal Council has now published the negotiating mandate. The most important questions and answers.
Have all EU problems now been resolved?
No. Evil tongues would argue: the trouble has only just begun. The negotiating mandate shows the side of the Federal Council and how it wants to negotiate with the EU. Although exploratory talks with Brussels have already taken place, the actual negotiations are only just beginning. And then there will probably be a referendum in Switzerland, for which Cassis will have to convince the population.
What does the negotiating mandate contain?
There is hardly any news in terms of content. The key points of the contract package have been known for some time. The scope is enormous. These are technically complex and politically controversial institutional questions related to the transfer of rights or the resolution of disputes. New agreements for topics such as electricity and health. Details on the topics of immigration, wage protection or access to social assistance.
What is new, however, is the time horizon. Switzerland and the EU agree that negotiations should start immediately in spring 2024 and be concluded by the end of the same year.
The Federal Council has also determined the composition of the Swiss delegation that will negotiate with the EU. She appointed Patric Franzen as chief negotiator. He is head of the Europe department of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and deputy state secretary.
What is different from the failed framework agreement?
The framework agreement must be a contract that must provide a framework for existing and any new contracts. The Federal Council now wants to settle the institutional issues in each agreement separately. This means that specific regulations are possible – but it also becomes more complex.
“The package approach is broader than the negotiations on a framework agreement that broke down in May 2021,” Cassis said at the media conference. It offers more flexibility and room for action to protect Swiss interests during the negotiations.
What’s next?
The negotiating mandate will now be submitted to the two foreign policy committees: the National Council, the Council of States and the cantons. You can comment on this. The actual negotiations with the EU could then start in February or March.
The problem: there will be elections across Europe at the beginning of June: the Union will elect a new parliament. This must then be determined by a new committee. It is therefore unlikely that negotiations will continue until autumn 2024 at the earliest – if a solution is not found before then.
If Switzerland and the EU come together, there will probably be a referendum in Switzerland.
Why does Switzerland need an agreement at all?
Switzerland is not a member of the EU. But she maintains close relations with her. Because the EU is its most important trading partner. Switzerland is part of the European Single Market, a common market for free trade. To participate, it has concluded various contracts with the EU.
The new EU deal aims to clarify how these rules are developed, monitored and interpreted. It also governs how disputes are resolved when there are differing opinions.
Why is this taking so long?
Switzerland has been negotiating a so-called framework agreement with the EU since 2014. But in May 2021, the Federal Council decided to break off negotiations and not sign the contract.
What are the chances now?
There were several points of criticism of the framework agreement. The unions feared that Swiss wage protections would be weakened, while the SVP criticized the dynamic adoption of the law and the power of the Court of Justice of the EU. Ultimately, the Federal Council in Switzerland saw no majority for an agreement.
So far, a centre-left coalition has won a majority on European issues. Because the SVP is unlikely to be willing to compromise, the position of the SP and the unions will be decisive. They have already made demands. Whether these can be achieved will only become clear during the negotiations. But it is already clear that it will not be easy.
What happens without a diploma?
Since Switzerland broke off negotiations on a framework agreement, the EU has been planting needles wherever it can. For example, there are no new agreements. But these would also be important for Switzerland, for example when it comes to electricity. The Swiss electricity grid is closely linked to that of the EU. Without an agreement, electricity imports could be stopped in winter.
Without a solution to the institutional issues, there will probably still be no new contracts. Collaboration in research is also likely to become even more difficult. Swiss universities can no longer lead Horizon projects. Researchers and projects are therefore moving to EU countries. (brother/oco)
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
