Brussels gives green light for talks on Horizon Europe
Published: Tuesday, Nov 21st 2023, 18:10
Updated At: Tuesday, Nov 21st 2023, 18:13
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On Tuesday in Strasbourg, the EU Commission approved the joint declaration drawn up with Switzerland. It is also prepared to hold technical talks with Switzerland on the EU research program "Horizon Europe".
However, Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice President of the EU Commission, made it clear in response to a question from journalists that the definitive negotiations on the EU programs could only begin as part of the official negotiations on the agreement package.
In a statement, the ETH Board welcomed "this positive development" and called for "Switzerland's full association with Horizon Europe as soon as possible".
It also hopes that an agreement will soon be reached on the institutional issues, the ETH Board continued. And: "Because Switzerland as a center of science benefits from the stable and reliable bilateral agreements" between Switzerland and the EU.
Mandate of the EU
According to Dombrovskis, the EU Commission has taken note of the Federal Council's announcement at the beginning of November that it intends to draw up a mandate by the end of the year.
On November 8, the national government instructed the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) to draw up a negotiating mandate. It intends to decide whether to accept the mandate before the end of the year.
The EU Commission is also endeavoring to draw up a mandate and then submit a recommendation to the EU states for the opening of negotiations, Dombrovskis continued.
Sefcovic delighted
Maros Sefcovic, Vice-President of the European Commission, expressed his delight at the joint declaration on the short message service X (formerly Twitter): "This is a welcome and important step in our bilateral relationship," he said.
The declaration will form the basis for negotiations between the EU and Switzerland on an agreement package, said the EU Commissioner responsible for the Swiss dossier.
Diplomats from Switzerland and the EU had been holding exploratory talks since April 2022. The last round took place at the end of October this year.
Broad package approach
In addition to institutional issues such as dispute settlement and the dynamic adoption of legislation, these talks also included new agreements on electricity, health and food safety.
The envisaged package of agreements also includes Switzerland's readmission to the EU research and education programs "Horizon Europe" and "Erasmus plus". The regular payment of a cohesion contribution is also to be regulated in the agreement.
The free movement of persons and wage protection for posted workers have been particularly contentious issues in the talks with the EU to date. However, according to the Federal Council, most of the issues have been resolved satisfactorily.
Domestic policy consolidation
The trade unions see things somewhat differently. They recently criticized what they see as overly generous concessions to the EU. They fear a reduction in public services and wage protection. For example, the EU expenses regulations, which have also been criticized by employers, are a source of annoyance to them.
However, the Federal Council needs the support of the trade unions if it is to get the package of agreements with the EU through parliament and then, in all probability, through a referendum.
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