Federal Archives release diplomatic documents from 1993
Published: Monday, Jan 1st 2024, 09:50
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The Federal Archives have released access to protected diplomatic documents from 1993. The approximately 1,700 key documents shed light on the path from Switzerland's rejection of the European Economic Area (EEA) to the start of bilateral negotiations with the EU.
The documents, whose protection period expired on January 1, 2024, also contained evidence of an intensification of global economic contacts, according to the Diplomatic Documents Research Service of Switzerland (Dodis).
"The files show that the Federal Council launched an unprecedented visit offensive in response to the shock after the EEA rejection, thanks to which bilateral sectoral negotiations with the EU were able to begin towards the end of the year," noted Dodis Director Sacha Zala.
The highlight of foreign policy in 1993 was the visit of German Chancellor Helmut Kohl on October 18. For him, Switzerland's decision to join the EU was "an imperative of the simplest understanding". According to hand notes from the President of the Swiss Confederation, Adolf Ogi, Kohl warned: "Swiss defiance is of no use in the long term."
https://www.dodis.ch/de/neue-dokumente-zur-schweizer-aussenpolitik-1993
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