EU ambassador: framework deal will not be reopened
The EU has no intention of re-opening parts of the framework agreement it has been negotiating with Switzerland for years, the bloc’s ambassador in Bern has told the SonntagsBlick newspaper.
This content was published on
2 minutes
SonntagsBlick/Reuters/dos
Petros Mavromichalis said that as far as the European Union is concerned, “the negotiations are finished”. “What we won’t do is reopen the controversial dossiers,” he said.
A draft deal between the pair was provisionally reached in 2018, but progress on signing has since been stalled by Swiss misgivings about sovereignty and rules in three key areas: wage protection, state aid, and citizenship.
Although Mavromichalis said the EU could offer Switzerland “assurances”, he said the bloc had already made plenty of concessions: for example, agreeing on a four-day registration rule for EU companies who want to work in Switzerland.
In this case, the Swiss demand for an eight-day rule was too much, the ambassador said, as is the suggestion that EU companies should pay a deposit before working in Switzerland to cover prospective fines for breaking work rules.
“When you assume that a company is criminal just because it isn’t Swiss, that’s rather insulting,” Mavromichalis said.
More
More
What is this EU framework deal?
This content was published on
An institutional framework would simplify future ties between Switzerland and its biggest trading partner.
He also said that the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice as the top arbiter of legal issues in the single market was “sacrosanct”, and that there was no question of Switzerland securing an exception from this.
Should Swiss voters decide in a referendum to go against an individual ruling of the ECJ, the EU would have to accept it, he said – but Switzerland would then have to pay “compensation” to the bloc for infringing single market rules.
Various figures have been making statements about the progress of negotiations in recent weeks, including foreign minister Ignazio Cassis, and, former EU boss Jean-Claude Juncker.
Switzerland’s chief negotiator with the EU, Livia Leu, has been in Brussels over the past weeks to present the government’s position. For Mavromichalis, a solution could be possible “within the coming weeks”.
More
More
Inching forward on Swiss-EU relations
This content was published on
Friend or colonist? The debates on the planned framework agreement show how differently people view Switzerland’s relationship with the EU.
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
This content was published on
Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
This content was published on
St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Survey finds falling support for EU framework deal
This content was published on
Almost two-thirds of Swiss say relations with the EU should be better developed, but only half support the framework deal.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.