About: EU-Switzerland Agreement

Does Switzerland try to friendzone the EU?

The Swiss Federal Council decided to withdraw from the framework agreement with the European Union. It is now imperative to clarify that both sides pursue a completely different kind of relationship, writes Stefan Legge.

Swiss scrap talks with EU on cooperation deal

Switzerland on Wednesday (26 May) called off years of talks with the European Union aimed at sealing a cooperation agreement with Bern's largest trading partner, in a move which angered Brussels.

EU ambassador to Switzerland says treaty talks finished

The European Union will not reopen parts of a stalled bilateral treaty with Switzerland, the EU ambassador to the Alpine republic said in an interview with newspaper Blick, taking a hard line on Swiss misgivings over talks that have lasted years.

Swiss government resumes talks with EU on stalled treaty

Switzerland is to resume talks with the European Union over a wide-ranging bilateral treaty, including on issues such as protecting workers' rights and wages, that have lain dormant for two years.

Swiss oppose ‘Brexit moment’ in EU relations: poll

Most Swiss oppose a referendum campaign launched by the far-right to end the free movement of citizens from the European Union, according to a poll published on Sunday (5 January).

Swiss politics goes Green with a capital G

The surge in support for Green parties in the Swiss elections suggests that the Alpine country is shying away from right-wing populism and euroscepticism, writes Denis MacShane.

Faced with ‘dogmatic’ EU, Switzerland may turn to UK on research cooperation

Switzerland is unlikely to strike a deal with the European Union this year over a stalled partnership treaty, its economy minister said, extending an impasse that has hurt bilateral ties and disrupted cross-border share trading.

Swiss president sees no quick progress in EU treaty row

Swiss President Ueli Maurer played down prospects for quickly ending a standoff with the European Union over a stalled partnership treaty that has disrupted cross-border stock trading and strained ties with Switzerland's main trading partner.

Swiss ready to retaliate against EU over stock market access

The Swiss government said on Monday (24 June) it was ready to ban stock exchanges in the European Union from trading Swiss shares -- intensifying a row over a stalled partnership treaty.

Two-thirds of Swiss companies want treaty with EU

Two out of three Swiss companies want Switzerland to sign a draft treaty negotiated with the European Union, a poll for business lobby Economiesuisse found, highlighting the country's political divide over its biggest foreign policy decision.

Swiss labour leader declares draft EU treaty ‘dead’

The new head of Switzerland's powerful labour union federation rejected a draft treaty with the European Union and called for restarting negotiations with the country's most important trading partner.

EU-Swiss talks hit impasse, causing Brexit confusion

Talks between Brussels and Berne have been running since 2014 in a bid to formalise the 120 separate accords that have been negotiated between the EU and Switzerland since a 1992 referendum in the Alpine state rejected joining the European Economic Area. But the draft agreement, which was made public in early December, now seems unlikely to become reality.

EU-Swiss treaty ‘dead as doornail’ as labour boycotts talks

Switzerland's plan to forge a new treaty cementing ties with the European Union has hit the rocks after the normally pro-Europe centre left joined the far right in resisting a deal that Swiss labour unions say might undermine wages and working conditions.

Swiss to revisit talks on full treaty with EU after summer break

Switzerland said on Wednesday (4 July) it had put further talks on a new treaty governing relations with the European Union, including sensitive labour market rules, on hold until after the summer break.

Most Swiss back plan for new treaty with EU

Most Swiss support the government's plan to forge a new treaty with the European Union that would have arbitration panels to help settle disputes, a poll published on Sunday (29 April) showed.

Swiss see no quick deal on new EU treaty

Switzerland will not meet the European Commission's deadline for a deal in the early part of this year on a new treaty that would bind the neutral country more closely to its biggest trading partner, new Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said.

Juncker hails progress in EU-Swiss relations after immigration law

The European Commission on Thursday (22 December) welcomed progress in relations between the EU and Switzerland after Bern avoided a clash with Brussels by passing an immigration law that does not impose outright quotas.

Post-Brexit UK will broker Swiss-style deal with EU, investors say

Once the United Kingdom has left the EU, it will most likely implement a bilateral ‘Swiss model’, according to a survey of institutional investors, which also showed financial passporting rights are of greater concern to them than restrictions on immigration.

Commission deplores Swiss canton referendum

The Italian-speaking Swiss canton of Ticino voted decisively yesterday (25 September) in favour of tougher controls on foreign workers. The European Commission deplored this development, which arrives at a time when a solution is sought to keep alive the EU-Switzerland Free Movement of Persons agreement.

Switzerland: London watches EU talks on migration closely

Switzerland's future agreement on free movement with the EU, depending on the form it takes, could offer the United Kingdom a precedent to lean on in its own Brexit negotiations, writes Strafor.

Brexit deal on EU migrants inspires Switzerland

A February deal allowing Britain to limit the free movement of workers coming from the European Union is giving ideas to the Swiss, who would like similar exceptions applied to their own relations with the 28 member bloc.

Swiss edge toward possible ‘Swexit’ from EU bilateral pacts

Switzerland threatened yesterday (4 December) to impose unilateral curbs on immigration should it fail to agree with the European Union on limiting the influx into a country where nearly a quarter of the population is foreign.

Steinmeier urges EU-Swiss talks on planned immigration quotas

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier yesterday (17 August) urged the European Union to negotiate with Switzerland on Bern's plans for new quotas on immigration from the bloc.

EU-Swiss accord to end banking secrecy, curb tax evasion

The European Union and Switzerland signed a major accord on Wednesday (27 May) to end banking secrecy for EU residents and prevent them from stashing undeclared income in Swiss banks.