EU Commission President speaks of historic agreement
Published: Friday, Dec 20th 2024, 16:20
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EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke of a "day of joy" at a joint media conference with President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd. "This agreement between the European Union and Switzerland is historic," said von der Leyen.
"This will not only strengthen the lasting partnership between us. The strengthened bond is also of great importance in the wider context," said the EU Commission President on Friday. "We are providing common answers to global realities that we all have to deal with. We are living in a time of rapid change and the global balance of power is constantly shifting." The winds of competition are blowing sharply.
Today's world is highly interconnected, geopolitical tensions such as those in Ukraine or the Middle East have an immediate impact - "in Switzerland as well as in our 27 member states". In this challenging environment, strong partnerships are not only an advantage, but a must, continued von der Leyen. Companies in the EU and Switzerland rely on the same transcontinental network.
Switzerland and the EU also share values such as democracy, the rule of law and a social market economy. Both parties are also committed to a rules-based international order. "We are as close as you can get," said von der Leyen.
"With the agreement between the EU and Switzerland, we are recognizing what has grown historically," said the EU Commission President. The agreement creates a level playing field. Everyone would enjoy unrestricted access to the EU internal market, while at the same time ensuring the same high standards - "this creates security for businesses and consumers. To a certain extent, we are putting together a powerhouse that can compete with the world's leading economies," continued von der Leyen.
"This agreement between the EU and Switzerland is an expression of the deep bond that has grown between us. Today marks a new chapter in our partnership, taking our cooperation to the next level and modernizing the foundations of our strong relationship. This agreement ensures that our partnership is equipped for the future and that both sides can fully exploit the potential of our close cooperation," von der Leyen also said in a statement released shortly after the media conference.
The EU Commission President went on to say: "Let's show what is possible when good neighbors work together."
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