Swiss parliamentarians discuss EU bilateral treaty in Brussels

Representatives of the Swiss and European parliaments are meeting today to discuss ratification of Switzerland's bilateral treaty with the European Union.

Representatives of the Swiss and European parliaments are meeting today to discuss ratification of Switzerland’s bilateral treaty with the European Union.

Six Swiss parliamentarians, headed by a leading member of the Radical Party, Christine Beerli, are holding talks with members of the European Parliament in Brussels. The delegation will be stressing the importance of the treaty to Switzerland, said Beerli.

The treaty was ratified by the Swiss parliament last year, but still needs approval by all 15 EU member states and the European Parliament.

A committee of the European Parliament began discussing the treaty in the last week of January. It is scheduled to be debated in full session in April.

The Swiss parliamentarians are also likely to discuss the current conflict between the EU and Austria, following the formation of a coalition in Vienna which includes the far-right Freedom Party.

There are indications that the EU’s threatened sanctions against Austria are likely to bolster anti-European sentiment in Switzerland in the run-up to a referendum on the treaty on May 21.

From staff and wire reports