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Swiss approach EU to resolve differences on future relationship

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Commission Vice President for Inter-institutional Relations Maroš Šefčovič met with a delegation from the Swiss Parliament this afternoon (8 September). He welcomed what would be the first meeting since the “very abrupt” end to negotiations on a EU-Swiss Institutional Framework Agreement in May. 

The Swiss Federal Council terminated negotiations on the agreement after 25 summits between the Swiss and EU sides. Šefčovič welcomed the chance to listen to Swiss proposals on the outstanding issues and set the course for the future, pointing to the fact that the two were already diverging: “We are not going to stay at the current status quo. Our relationship [with Switzerland], over time, would simply erode because the EU is moving forward with new legislative proposals and the new financial perspective, with new programmes.”

Šefčovič has been asked by the Commission president to lead the discussions with the Swiss today and it may become a more permanent part of the vice president's, already diverse, portfolio: “Switzerland is fully integrated in our Single Market, I think it's a mutually very beneficial relationship. I think we have to overcome the differences and set the path for the future. If I am entrusted with this task, I will do my best.”

Photo: Maroš Šefčovič, Vice President of the European Commission in charge of Inter-institutional relations and Foresight receives Eric Nussbaumer, President of the Swiss EFTA/EU delegation and Member of the Swiss Parliament (National Council). © European Union, 2021

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