Switzerland and the EU have been negotiating a broad package since March. This ranges from topics such as electricity and education to a Swiss contribution to cohesion payments.
Keystone-SDA / Anthony Anex
Swiss justice minister Beat Jans reiterated the Swiss demand for a safeguard clause in the free movement of persons with the European Union. Without this, it would be difficult for Switzerland’s domestic policy.
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The EU is also aware of this, Jans told the Swiss newspaper Sonntagsblick. That is why a safeguard clause is also in their interest. It’s important for Brussels that the proposal can be accepted by the Swiss people. It would also be detrimental to the EU if too many skilled workers migrated to Switzerland.
Just three weeks ago, Maros Sefcovic, the European Commissioner Vice-President in charge of Swiss-EU relations, said that there was no support in the EU for a unilateral safeguard clause. This message had already been communicated to the “Swiss partners” on several occasions, including at a political level.
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Switzerland and the EU are still at odds over cohesion payments
Negotiations with the EU have recently made some steps forward. “If you look at all the issues that are on the table, we are making very good progress, including on most of the institutional issues,” said the Sefcovic.
Switzerland and the EU have been negotiating a broad package since March. This ranges from topics such as electricity, education, a Swiss contribution to cohesion payments, institutional elements for dispute resolution to land and air transport. The aim is to update and expand the current bilateral agreements after Switzerland stepped away from a framework agreement a couple years ago.
Translated from German by DeepL/jdp
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