Switzerland wants to negotiate cooperation agreements with the EU again

In 2021, Switzerland broke off negotiations on a cooperation agreement with the EU. Now the country wants to start a new attempt. Among other things, Switzerland wants unhindered access to the EU internal market.

From next spring, the EU and Switzerland want to negotiate a framework agreement to regulate their relations again. After unilaterally ending years of negotiations with the EU in 2021 due to disagreements, the Swiss government now presented a draft for new talks.

The representatives of the Swiss government and the EU Commission are of the opinion that “formal negotiations on a broad package should begin immediately so that the negotiations can be concluded in 2024,” it said.

Switzerland wants obstacle-free Access to the EU internal market

Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said Swiss prosperity was coming under increasing pressure due to a variety of crises, so it was essential to “maintain good relations with our neighbors”. After a total of 70 exploratory talks with EU representatives, we now have a solid basis for negotiations, said Cassis.

Switzerland is concerned with unhindered access to the EU internal market – the country’s largest export market. Last year, the volume of goods trade between the two sides was around 333 billion euros. Switzerland is not a member of the EU, but largely participates in the EU internal market.

From electricity, health to wage protection

Among other things, new agreements in the areas of electricity and food safety should be passed. There is also a desire to make progress in the areas of health and education. Among other things, Switzerland should again take part in the “Horizon Europe” research program.

Switzerland has implemented exceptions to the controversial issues of free movement of people and wage protection. For example, there should only be a right of permanent residence in Switzerland for employed EU citizens. The concrete start of negotiations is planned “without delays,” it was said in Bern. However, Parliament and the cantons now have to approve the draft.

The business association economiesuisse welcomed the new beginning as “an opportunity for Switzerland”. As expected, sharp criticism came from the right-wing conservative SVP. The negotiating mandate was a “poisoned Christmas package,” it said in a statement. The SVP “decisively fights any institutional connection to the EU”.

With information from Kathrin Hondl, ARD Geneva