Johnson confirms leadership bid at event in Switzerland
Leading Brexit campaigner Boris Johnson, currently in Interlaken, Switzerland, said “of course” he would stand to be the next prime minister after Theresa May announced her resignation.
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He made the comment during a speech at the Swiss Economic ForumExternal link (SEF) in the mountain resort of Interlaken on Friday afternoonExternal link, hours after May said she would leave her post on June 7. The former British foreign minister paid tribute to May, saying she was “patient and stoical” facing all the difficulties around the country’s departure from the European Union.
The next British prime minister can also revive stalled talks with the EU over an exit deal, Johnson said. “A new leader will have the opportunity to do things differently and have the momentum of a new administration,” he said.
Johnson also noted the hard EU stance towards Switzerland – which is not a member of the EU but is negotiating a framework agreement with Brussels, as it has bilateral agreements with the EU – and said Switzerland “should not give in”.
EU-Swiss negotiations
The EU wants the umbrella agreement with Switzerland to replace over 20 large sectoral agreements and more than 100 smaller deals in place at the bilateral level. The negotiations began in 2014 and a proposed accord was unveiled in December 2018.
The Swiss government has submitted it to a public consultation due to divergent domestic viewpoints. Brussels has given Switzerland until July 2019 to decide whether it wants to accept the deal.
On Thursday the EU’s top civil servant, speaking to Swiss public television, warned that a colder wind would soon blow from Brussels towards Switzerland.
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Face-off continues between Brussels and Bern
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A colder wind will soon blow from Brussels towards Switzerland, the European Union’s (EU) top civil servant has said.
The annual two-day SEF conference attracts around 1,350 people from the business world, academia, politics and the media, for “an active exchange of ideas and cross-industry networking”.
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The Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and partners are opening a field hospital in southern Gaza on Tuesday.
Lack of smartphone sustainability in Switzerland hits environment
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Almost half of all Swiss citizens hang on to their old smartphones, tablets and laptops, according to the Federal Statistical Office.
Police clear out pro-Palestinian students protesting in Geneva
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The police intervened early on Tuesday to dislodge pro-Palestinian students who had been occupying the University of Geneva for almost a week.
New gel developed in Zurich renders alcohol harmless
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A newly developed gel composed of whey proteins breaks down alcohol in the body and could reduce its harmful and intoxicating effects in humans.
Pro-Palestine protests extend to Basel and Fribourg universities
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Demonstrators called for an academic boycott of all Israeli institutions and disassociation with Chaim Weizmann, the first Israeli president.
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Swiss Hells Angels trial alleges rape and money laundering
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An allegedly high-ranking member of the Hells Angels is accused of money laundering totalling millions and rape, among other serious crimes.
SWISS is airline ‘group flagship’ says Lufthansa boss
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Despite challenges, Lufthansa and its most important subsidiary, Swiss International Airlines, promise increased satisfaction and continued growth.
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Brits to keep access to Swiss labour market in case of no deal
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The Swiss government has approved a temporary agreement with Britain on access to the Swiss labour market in case of a hard Brexit.
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Recently, Britain and Switzerland have had complicated relations with the EU but both states’ approach to European integration used to differ greatly.
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On average, Swiss citizens are €2,914 (CHF3,315) richer each year thanks to access to the EU’s single market, according to the estimates of a German research group.
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