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).
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/jc
Español
es
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.
Macron will attend Swiss summit on Ukraine, says Zelensky
This content was published on
French President Emmanuel Macron will attend the peace conference on Ukraine at the Swiss Bürgenstock resort next month, according to Volodymyr Zelensky.
Top politician tells ‘corrupt’ Eurovision to stay away from Bern
This content was published on
A social media post by the president of Bern’s cantonal government critical of the Eurovision Song Contest has created waves and will be discussed in the cantonal parliament.
Swiss centre records over 200 victims of human trafficking
This content was published on
Last year 317 people took part in a protection programme run by the Specialist Unit for Trafficking in Women and Women’s Migration (FIZ) in German-speaking Switzerland.
This content was published on
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
This content was published on
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
This content was published on
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
This content was published on
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
This content was published on
Demonstrators called for an academic boycott of all Israeli institutions and disassociation with Chaim Weizmann, the first Israeli president.
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
Switzerland ready to ‘perpetuate’ cohesion contribution to EU
This content was published on
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
This content was published on
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
This content was published on
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.