FDFA State Secretary Fasel optimistic about negotiations with the EU
Published: Wednesday, Dec 20th 2023, 17:40
Updated At: Wednesday, Dec 20th 2023, 17:40
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State Secretary Alexander Fasel provided information on the current challenges facing Swiss foreign policy at a media briefing on Wednesday. The main topic was the upcoming negotiations between Switzerland and the European Union (EU). Fasel believes there is a good chance of an agreement being reached, but this will require a united domestic policy.
After Switzerland adopted a draft for the negotiating mandate with the EU on Friday, a corresponding draft from the EU Commission followed on Wednesday.
According to Fasel, they will now try to work out the overlap on this basis. The chances of an agreement are good. The State Secretary will play a coordinating role between the negotiations in Brussels and the discussions at domestic policy level in Switzerland.
Domestic political consensus
"We have to work out a domestic political consensus. Switzerland can only do what it can agree on," said the State Secretary of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).
The aim is to go before parliament at the same time to enable ratification. The domestic policy talks will focus in particular on issues such as wage protection, while the trade unions are calling for guarantees to avoid the risk of dumping.
No specific time frame
With regard to a possible timeframe for the negotiations with the EU, Fasel said he could not give any concrete answers, as too many factors had an influence. The aim is to start negotiations on the new package with Brussels at the end of the first quarter or beginning of the second quarter.
It is important to start negotiations with the current EU Commission. After that, the issue will be continued independently of the new Commission that will emerge from the European elections at the beginning of June 2024.
Landing zones from exploratory talks
Diplomats from Switzerland and the EU held a series of exploratory talks between April and October last year. During these talks, common "landing zones" were defined and set out in a joint declaration. This document will serve as the basis for future negotiations between Bern and Brussels. "We know what is being negotiated and where we want to end up," said Fasel.
Fasel emphasized the positive results of the exploratory talks, which provide a basis for expanding Switzerland's participation in the single market. It will also be in a position to resume certain programs such as Horizon or Erasmus+.
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