Swiss parliamentarians discuss EU bilateral treaty in Brussels

Swiss parliamentarians, including Christine Beerli (pictured), have held talks in Brussels with members of the European Parliament on the ratification of Switzerland's bilateral treaty with the EU.

Swiss parliamentarians, including Christine Beerli (pictured), have held talks in Brussels with members of the European Parliament on the ratification of Switzerland’s bilateral treaty with the EU.

After the meeting, the Swiss delegation, headed by Beerli, a leading member of the Radical Party, said they had explained the political process the treaty has to undergo in Switzerland before it is ratified.

They also expressed confidence the treaty would be approved when it is voted on in a referendum on May 21. They added that the Swiss parliament had made great efforts to ensure the speedy ratification of the treaty.

The accord was approved by Switzerland’s parliament last year. It has still to be ratified by the European Parliament and the parliaments of the EU’s 15 member states.

A committee of the European Parliament began considering the treaty in the last week of January. It is due to come up for debate in the European Parliament in April, but analysts say it is unlikely to be approved before later in the year.

from staff and wire reports