Negotiations between Bern and Brussels are in a “delicate phase”
Published: Friday, Dec 13th 2024, 19:30
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The ongoing negotiations between Switzerland and the EU are in a delicate phase, a Commission spokesperson said in Brussels on Friday. The talks are continuing and are "very intensive". At its meeting in Bern on the same day, the Federal Council took stock of the EU dossier.
In Brussels, negotiations are expected to be concluded in the course of next week, as the Keystone-SDA news agency learned from several diplomatic sources in Brussels. They confirm an earlier report in the CH-Media newspapers that everything had been clarified apart from the cohesion contribution.
The issue of the amount of the cohesion payment would have to be agreed at a political level, i.e. between EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis. The European Commission did not wish to comment on a possible exchange between the two politicians this week.
The controversial issues of a safeguard clause on the free movement of persons or in the electricity sector have reportedly been clarified. However, one EU diplomat remained cautious and added: "Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed."
Possible trip by von der Leyen to Bern
Next Tuesday, the European Commission will inform the EU member states about the status of the negotiations at a ministerial meeting. The member states do not have to approve the negotiated agreement; the Commission has full authority to sign the text.
On the Swiss side, the Federal Council must give its approval for the agreement. This could take place at the end of next week, said an EU diplomat. This coincides with the next ordinary Federal Council meeting, which is scheduled for Friday, December 20.
According to media reports, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen would then travel to Bern to see Federal President Viola Amherd in order to formally conclude the negotiations. Information available to Keystone-SDA also points to such a meeting, which should take place before Christmas. There is no official confirmation from either the Confederation or the Commission.
©Keystone/SDA
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