Debate: EU-Switzerland relations
Date: TUESDAY, 3 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Maroš Šefčovič
Language: EN

As you know, in May 2021, Switzerland unilaterally terminated the negotiations for the Institutional Framework Agreement (IFA). The Commission strongly regretted this decision as the IFA would have provided a very good and necessary basis for a modern EU-Switzerland relationship. I took over this file during that time and I met the Foreign Minister in November 2021, making the EU’s position quite clear. In February last year, Switzerland presented its new approach to our bilateral relationship. Based on that, over the past 18 months, the two sides have engaged in exploratory talks on the future EU-Switzerland relations. The Commission welcomes this new and renewed engagement from our Swiss neighbours. Our aim has always been to finalise the exploratory talks early enough to engage and conclude the formal negotiations before the end of the current term or ideally before the next European elections. The Commission’s objective is to confirm that our views on the key issues, notably on institutional matters and on free movement of persons, are convergent enough to engage in new negotiations and to avoid a second failure. I am confident that the European Parliament’s report will provide an additional stimulus to the process. I therefore welcome your call to identify a systemic solution to structural problems that currently hamper our relationship. This is indeed at the core of the Commission’s negotiations with Switzerland, because it would create a legal certainty for citizens and businesses, as well as a level playing field in areas where our companies compete. Principles such as dynamic alignment, dispute settlement with a clear role for the Court of Justice of the European Union are among the key elements that need to be part of the institutional solution. So is the fair and permanent contribution to the Union’s cohesion policy. And this goes hand in hand with Swiss access to our internal market, a privilege that Switzerland enjoys already. So is the level playing field with a clear and effective State aid provisions. Honourable Members, it is no secret that the most difficult elements of our discussions with Switzerland are related to the free movement of persons. This directly affects the rights and essentially the daily lives of many EU citizens working and living in Switzerland, as well as businesses based in the EU providing their services across the border. As the report points out, we consider that Switzerland currently does not fully implement its obligations under the existing Free Movement of Persons Agreement. Our aim in this area is to identify solutions for all the issues that EU citizens and businesses currently face. These discussions are very difficult, but it is clear that the success of our work and our relationship in general will depend on our ability to deal with this very important area and find mutually agreeable solutions to it. Honourable Members, Mr President, our work with Switzerland covers a broad package of measures, which reflect both sides’ interests in their relationship. In addition to the key institutional issues that I already outlined, we are also discussing ways to engage in a closer cooperation across a range of areas. In line with that, we have agreed that the broad package that we intend to negotiate would also include Switzerland’s association to Union programmes such as Horizon Europe or Erasmus+. We also aim to revive the previously suspended negotiations on electricity, health and food safety. I am confident this package, once agreed, will greatly improve our bilateral relations for the benefit of citizens and businesses on both sides of the border. If you allow me now to move to EU-Switzerland cooperation on foreign and security policy, the EU – together with partners such as Switzerland – has been acting on, upholding, and supporting the shared political values and security of the continent in promoting and preserving peace and stability across the world, including through common action in multilateral fora. This strong partnership is evident in the context of the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, where we work together with Switzerland as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council as well as on sanctions. On the latter, with some exceptions, Switzerland replicated almost all related EU measures thus far. Where appropriate, the EU has invited Switzerland to participate in the EU Freeze and Seize Task Force meetings. We have, therefore, a good basis for deepening our joint endeavours on sanctions implementation. Looking at the wider security discussions and policy, we appreciate Switzerland’s valued partnership and its contribution to common security and defence policy missions. Honourable Members, the Commission is willing to finalise the exploratory process and move to a formal negotiation on the broad package, including both the EU and Swiss priorities as soon as possible. And we hope that Switzerland will be in a position to close the discussions on the remaining open issues as quickly as possible.