Jacques de Watteville, the Swiss ambassador to the European Union, has described current relations between Switzerland and the EU as “intensive” and “not simple”.
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Speaking to the media in Brussels on Monday, de Watteville stressed however that the problem must not be dramatised, saying “common elements are stronger than the differences”.
Switzerland is not a member of the EU but it has concluded 20 major bilateral agreements with the 27-nation bloc, and another 100 secondary accords since 1972, when voters approved an Efta (European Free Trade Association) accord with Brussels on a free trade zone.
But Brussels no longer wants to sign tailor-made agreements with Switzerland, which is being told to align itself on EU rules and regulations.
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