Cabinet weighs alternatives to EU membership
Switzerland could sign a framework agreement with the European Union as an alternative to joining the organisation, according to a senior diplomat.
Michael Ambühl says the government will weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of this and other options in a report to be compiled over the next two years.
In an interview with the SonntagsZeitung, Ambühl said the government wanted to establish a new basis for dealings with the EU following a vote in September on extending an accord on the free movement of people to the ten new member states.
The number two in the foreign ministry said an association agreement would be a good way of ensuring implementation of the close to 20 bilateral accords signed with the EU. It would also encourage dialogue and create a platform for closer cooperation, for example on joint action in conflict zones.
“In some ways it would provide an institutional framework for the bilateral approach,” Ambühl told the paper.
Ambühl said there had not yet been any official talks with the EU on the framework accord.
The government report on Europe is expected to be ready by 2007.
Free movement
His comments come two weeks after the EU said Switzerland could only participate in the passport-free Schengen zone if voters agree to open the Swiss labour market to the ten new EU member states. The vote will be held on September 25.
Speaking to the SonntagsZeitung, Ambühl again warned against a “no” vote in September.
“If the Swiss vote against extending the accord on the free movement of people, they would create two classes of EU citizens, those with the right to work in Switzerland and those without it,” he cautioned. “This would be a form of discrimination which the EU would not allow.”
He said that in the worst case scenario the EU might decide to annul the free movement of people accord with Switzerland, endangering six other agreements concluded at the same time.
Bilateral approach
The diplomat has already spoken of his belief that Switzerland should continue to pursue bilateral accords with the EU for the time being instead of renewing its membership bid.
In an interview with swissinfo in March, Ambühl said the question of EU membership was “not on the table at the moment”.
While the Swiss voted earlier this month to increase cooperation with the EU on security and asylum issues, surveys have indicated that a majority oppose full membership.
A first set of bilateral agreements on trade and labour issues came into force in 2002. A second set of nine treaties was signed last year, including accords on police cooperation, taxation of savings and customs fraud.
swissinfo with agencies
The foreign ministry is considering putting relations with the EU on a new footing.
Among the options under discussion is a framework association agreement.
State secretary Michael Ambühl confirmed in an interview with the SonntagsZeitung, that such as agreement was feasible. He said it would protect the bilateral agreements already reached and create a platform for closer cooperation.
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