State Secretary Livia Leu has informed the Federal Council about the results of the consultations with the EU Commission that have been ongoing since March, the state government announced.
In the six exploratory rounds to date, Switzerland and the EU have succeeded in developing a common understanding of the package approach introduced by the Federal Council. “This approach expands the scope for solutions,” it continues. In addition, the approach offers “good conditions for a balanced reconciliation of interests”.
According to the Federal Council, there is agreement on several issues. Progress has also been made in the areas of free movement of persons and state aid. However, “unresolved questions” remain in these two and other areas. What they are has not been disclosed.
Put broken pieces back together
Since the Federal Council broke off negotiations on the framework agreement with the EU in April 2021, the relationship with Brussels has become complicated. Since then, the EU has repeatedly used political needlesticks against Switzerland. This includes, for example, the provisional exclusion from the EU research program “Horizon Europe”. Even the Swiss cohesion contribution has not changed anything.
In addition to the outcome of the negotiations, the decisive factor for the success of all negotiations is their broad domestic political acceptance, the state government said.
She referred to the “Sounding Board” she founded, where she held talks with the trade unions and the economy. The exchange with parliament, cantons and parties, on the other hand, has long been institutionalized.
In its statement, the Bundesrat also stressed how important “regulated relations between Switzerland and the EU” are to it. They guaranteed prosperity and stability for both sides. Because they are closely related. They also share the same core values. (SDA)