Three anti-EU associations merged in Bern on Saturday to form Pro Suisse, the successor to the Action for an Independent and Neutral Switzerland (ASIN).
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Los grupos suizos contrarios a la UE unen sus fuerzas
In addition to ASIN, the employers’ association against membership of the European Union (EU) and the “No to creeping EU membership” committee are joining the new organisation.
Controversial former minister Christoph Blocher of the right-wing Swiss People’s Party called on its founding assembly to defend Swiss neutrality.
The European Union is Switzerland’s most important trading partner.
Negotiations began in 2014 on a framework agreement to replace a series of bilateral agreements between the EU and non-EU member Switzerland. The EU wants a new arrangement under which Switzerland would automatically accept changes in line with EU rules, and an end to Swiss exceptionalism in areas such as wage protection and state guarantees for banks.
Last year, Switzerland rejected an overarching deal to govern long-term ties. But exploratory talks between Bern and Brussels aimed at bringing both sides back together to negotiate future political ties continue to advance slowly. The issue of making the so-called cohesion contribution to Brussels more permanent was raised for the first time during talks on Wednesday.
Ecological status of Swiss streams insufficient according to study
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Pesticide use and obstructions of waterways have a particularly negative impact on sensitive organisms, completely absent in 70% of streams analysed.
Train line between Brig and Domodossola interrupted
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One day after a derailment approximately 15 kilometres from the Swiss border, BLS is running buses for passengers between Preglia and Domodossola, in Italy.
Swiss football boss wants crackdown on individual hooligans
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The head of the Swiss Football League says he prefers a harsher approach to individual hooligans rather than collective punishment measures affecting all fans.
Amherd: Council of Europe is ‘as urgently needed as ever’
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The Swiss government emphasised on Sunday the vital role of the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, 75 years after it was founded.
Swiss minister: Italy will back Switzerland in EU talks
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Bern can count on the backing of Italy as it re-enters talks with the European Union on future relations, Viola Amherd says.
Student protestors at University of Lausanne continue pro-Palestine sit-in
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Since Thursday, a hall on campus has been occupied by students calling for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions and a ceasefire in Gaza.
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Switzerland ready to ‘perpetuate’ cohesion contribution to EU
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Exploratory talks between Bern and Brussels aimed at bringing both sides back together to negotiate future political ties continue to advance slowly.
Diplomatic efforts fail to break Swiss-EU deadlock
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Switzerland no closer to regaining full access to EU science and education projects, despite a further round of exploratory talks.
Why Switzerland doesn’t want to join the European Union
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From money to direct democracy: we look at some of the main reasons behind Switzerland's decision not to join the 27-nation bloc.
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.