EU and Switzerland have to modernise their relations, say MEPs

Strong interest in cooperating with Switzerland as a like-minded partner

Existing model based on individual bilateral agreements is outdated

The relationship is currently unbalanced

The European Union and Switzerland need a new package agreement that would generate trust and stability, MEPs say in a report adopted on Wednesday.

MEPs call on the EU and Switzerland to establish a modernised relationship, underpinned by an ambitious agreement, which would reduce trade barriers and create a level playing field for EU citizens and economic operators.

Switzerland is a like-minded partner

The report, adopted by 538 votes in favour, 42 against and 43 abstentions, highlights the EU’s strong interest in cooperating with Switzerland as a like-minded partner on international peace, security, human rights and defence matters, in particular in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Welcoming Switzerland’s adoption of all EU sanction packages against Russia so far, MEPs also encourage Switzerland to align itself more systematically with EU’s sanctions, including when they are based on human rights violations under the EU global human rights sanctions regime.

Solution of institutional and structural matters for further development of the relations

MEPs regret the Swiss Federal Council’s decision to terminate negotiations on the EU-Swiss Institutional Framework in May 2021. The report notes that the relationship between the EU and Switzerland is currently unbalanced, with citizens and businesses affected by the absence of a structural relationship. MEPs also note that the model based on individual bilateral agreements is outdated and that numerous agreements need to be revisited to provide legal certainty and to consolidate and develop EU-Swiss relations. MEPs also urge Switzerland to uniformly apply relevant EU rules and comply with obligations under various agreements, in particular posted workers. They also underline the importance of an effective dispute settlement and stress Switzerland’s contribution is key to EU cohesion policy.

Noting that the Swiss Federal Council has approved key parameters for a negotiation mandate, MEPs call on the European Commission and the Swiss Federal Council to use this short window of opportunity to reach an agreement on a possible new negotiation package before the end of the current European Commission and European Parliament’s term. In this context, MEPs note with regret that the Swiss Federal Council will only decide whether to prepare for the adoption of a negotiating mandate by the end of 2023.

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Rapporteur Lukas Mandl (EPP, AT) said: “This report takes a broader view of joint opportunities for the EU and Switzerland. In the past, opportunities in the fields of geopolitics and security have been missed and those in research and innovation have been underestimated. The EU institutions and Switzerland need to dig deeper into these areas. We want to establish more mutual confidence based on greater transparency, for instance in the internal market with a common court guaranteeing fairness, or on the advantages for the economy and the labour market. In the new geopolitical order, the EU and Switzerland will need each other more than ever before."