His talks had also allowed a better understanding of some issues, he told the press on Thursday evening. However, he said a number of issues remained outstanding. “We want to continue working in the right direction,” he said, adding he was convinced that progress is possible if there is political will on both sides.
Sefcovic also maintained the pressure, saying he wished to see Swiss-EU negotiations concluded before summer 2024, when there will be a new EU Commission following spring European elections.
This was Sefcovic’s first visit to Switzerland in his capacity as Commissioner in charge of Swiss-EU relations. It included a meeting on Wednesday with Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis, a conference at the University of Fribourg, and meetings with labour unions.
The Swiss government in 2021 rejected the results of negotiations on an institutional framework accord regulating about existing 120 bilateral agreements with the 27-nation bloc.
A series of exploratory talks have taken place since March 2022 to try to re-start formal talks between the two sides.
A Swiss foreign ministry statement on Wednesday said Switzerland and the EU had come closer together in several areas in the past few months. Despite this, it said “a number of outstanding issues remain, which will require efforts from both sides in order to further narrow the gaps in the shared understanding”.
The main sticking points are state aid rules, salary protection and EU citizens’ access to social security benefits in Switzerland.
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Zurich arbitration authority rules in favour of tenants of ‘Sugus Houses’
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A conciliation authority says the terminations of 105 flat leases in the so-called "Sugus Houses" in the centre of Zurich were abusive. The tenants therefore do not have to move out - at least for the time being.
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Visitors to Switzerland spent CHF19.6 billion ($23.9 billion) last year, a 2.2% rise compared to the previous year, the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) said on Monday.
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A bear killed four sheep in the Lower Engadine region near Scuol, canton Graubünden, last week. This was the first bear attack on local livestock in four years.
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Experts believe that economic development in Switzerland will be weaker in 2026 than the forecasts made three months ago. They have also lowered their predictions for the current year.
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Fewer people in Switzerland have a religious affiliation and the proportion who practice their religion regularly is steadily declining, a survey finds.
Study: trees have major cooling effect even in extreme heat
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Plane trees in cities have an important cooling effect even in extreme heat, according to a new study by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL).
EPFL launches digitised version of Battle of Murten panorama
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To mark the anniversary of the Battle of Murten on 22 June 1476, the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) has launched a website that offers the public an immersive experience of the huge panorama painting of the historic battle.
77th Swiss Gymnastics Festival praised for ‘positive energy’
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The 77th Federal Gymnastics Festival drew to a close on Sunday in Lausanne, after eleven days of popular celebration and sporting performances.
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Citing “substantial differences”, the government has decided not to move ahead with a controversial institutional agreement on relations with the EU.
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