Federal Council relaunches European debate with conclusion of negotiations
Published: Friday, Dec 20th 2024, 19:00
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Three federal councillors, several state secretaries and the chief negotiator have praised the outcome of the negotiations with the EU. Despite the complexity of the dossier, they are looking forward to the domestic political debate. However, many questions remain unanswered.
Like President Viola Amherd and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, Economics Minister Guy Parmelin and Justice Minister Beat Jans also emphasized the numerous compromises reached in the approximately 200 rounds of negotiations. The negotiating teams had succeeded in finding balanced solutions that were in the interests of both sides, they said.
"Of course we would have liked to have achieved even more", said chief negotiator Patric Franzen to the media in Bern on Friday. After the nine-month negotiation process, both sides were experiencing the "usual moderate dissatisfaction" because both Switzerland and the EU had made mutual concessions.
Money for access
Franzen praised the fact that public services would not be affected by the new provisions. In addition, the so-called non-regression clause safeguards the Swiss level of wage protection against any regression. Switzerland does not have to adopt future adjustments or new developments in EU posting law that would worsen the Swiss level of protection.
Furthermore, the dynamic adoption of law is limited to the five Bilateral I agreements and the newly added agreements on electricity and food safety, according to Franzen. The adoption of the law also respects the procedures enshrined in the Swiss constitution.
As Minister of Education, Parmelin expressed his delight at Switzerland's resumption of participation in the EU's Horizon research program from the beginning of 2025. "Participate diligently in the EU programs," Parmelin addressed researchers.
Foreign Minister Cassis also spoke about the cohesion contribution: With the contribution of CHF 130 million per year between 2025 and 2029 and that of CHF 350 million per year between 2030 and 2036, Switzerland is investing "in stability and cohesion in Europe". This also strengthens prosperity and security in Switzerland.
A give and take
Justice Minister Jans praised the negotiated exceptions to the free movement of persons as a success. The focus is on the negotiated safeguard clause, which Switzerland can now activate independently. Today, an agreement on this is required in the joint committee. Jans spoke of a "decisive improvement" compared to the failed negotiations on a framework agreement.
Switzerland was also able to negotiate exceptions to the so-called EU Citizens Directive, said Jans. The right of permanent residence for EU citizens is subject to strict conditions, unlike the other way around. People only receive the permanent right of residence if they have been legally resident in Switzerland for five years and have been gainfully employed during this time.
The Swiss delegation had achieved the goals set out in the negotiating mandate, summarized Cassis. On the other hand, the EU has also made progress compared to today: in future, Swiss universities and universities of applied sciences will have to treat Swiss and EU citizens equally when it comes to tuition fees. The Federal Council is examining accompanying measures to compensate for the financial losses.
Cassis feels "constructive support"
Now that the substantive negotiations have been concluded, the domestic political process will begin. There is now a foreign policy framework for this, said Jans. Cassis called for the domestic work in the areas of wage protection, immigration, electricity, land transport and tuition fees to be completed swiftly.
It will be important to break the trade unions' resistance to the EU treaties - with measures to protect wages. "We are trying to find a balance between the various interests," said Parmelin. The aim is still to secure the level of wage protection.
The setbacks compared to today include, for example, the fact that the registration period for companies from EU countries working in Switzerland will now only be four days instead of eight and that Switzerland has not been granted an exemption in the area of expenses.
The national government intends to make a final assessment before the summer break. "The Federal Council is convinced that the outcome of the negotiations represents a solid and effective basis," said Cassis. The process was "broadly supported". He sensed "constructive support".
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