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Swiss Politics

Swiss prepare for historic vote on bilateral accords with European Union

This content was published on May 19, 2000 Most opinion polls suggest the Swiss will vote by a clear majority in favour of the bilateral treaty with the EU, made up of seven accords covering such areas as transport, free movement of people, agriculture and research. The President, Adolf Ogi, told swissinfo earlier this week he expected a 60-40 per cent majority in…

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Swiss Politics

Government parties meet despite row

This content was published on May 19, 2000 Over the past four days, the two centre-right parties in the government, the Radicals and the Christian Democrats, have been trying to play the role of peace-maker. Their leaders met the Social Democrats on Monday and held separate talks with the People’s Party on Thursday, in an attempt to end the row and to prepare…

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Swiss Politics

Canton Jura aims to expand foreigners’ rights

This content was published on May 18, 2000 The Swiss political system gives voters a voice from the national through to the smallest local level, on issues from foreign relations to whether the village should get a new bus stop. However, the actual makeup of the electorate varies across the country. Foreigners make up around 20 per cent of the Swiss population, and…

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Swiss Politics

Koch bows out of politics

This content was published on May 18, 2000 The Social Democrats will be hoping that Koch’s departure from the House of Representatives will finally herald a new beginning for the party. In recent months, internal bickering has split the leadership, at a time when the party’s position at the top of the Swiss political ladder is increasingly threatened by its conservative rivals. The…

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Swiss Politics

German president says Switzerland belongs in Europe

This content was published on May 17, 2000 The relationship between Switzerland and the European Union would be an important issue in the future, Rau added. He argued that the Swiss were a part of Europe, even if they weren’t a member state of the EU. Looking ahead to Sunday’s nationwide referendum on the bilateral treaties with the EU, Rau called on the…

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Swiss Politics

German president begins state visit

This content was published on May 17, 2000 At the reception, Ogi described the policy as a key to the opening up of Europe. Rau and Ogi will hold formal talks which are expected to focus on bilateral relations, cultural exchanges and the role of Europe. The trip is being used by both governments to stress the importance of ties between the two…

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Swiss Politics

Relations between Berne and Berlin focus of state visit

This content was published on May 17, 2000 Rau will be given an official reception at parliament later on Wednesday. This week’s trip is being used by both governments to stress the importance of ties between the two countries. The formal talks with the Swiss government are expected to focus on bilateral relations, cultural exchanges and the role of Europe. The importance of…

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Swiss Politics

Government presses ahead with Solidarity Foundation

This content was published on May 17, 2000 The finance minister, Kaspar Villiger, described the Foundation as a key project to continue and renew Switzerland’s humanitarian tradition at home and abroad. A draft law to set up the foundation has been forwarded to parliament for further debate. Villiger said it could be put to a nationwide vote in mid-2001. He said the Foundation…

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Swiss Politics

Small businesses doubtful about bilateral benefits

This content was published on May 16, 2000 Lanit AG is a small chemical firm, specialising in the production of paint and paint removers. The manager, Benno Huber, is proud of the family business: it was founded in 1931 by his father, and now Huber runs the company, together with his son. Lanit employs 14 full-time members of staff; the company’s clients are…

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Swiss Politics

The long road towards the bilateral accords with the EU

This content was published on May 15, 2000 The long road towards Sunday’s vote began almost eight years ago, when Swiss voters, rejecting government advice, said no to joining the European Economic Area. The vote left Switzerland out in the cold, particularly when several EEA members joined the EU, and established the world’s second largest trading power. The Swiss government and business leaders,…

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