The new agreements between Switzerland and the EU are “win-win”, assures the EU ambassador to Switzerland, while the decisions of the Federal Council on this subject are the subject of criticism. Faced with current global instability, mutual solidarity is particularly important, estimates Petros Mavromichalis.
The management of the Federal Council of new agreements between Switzerland and the European Union is strongly criticized this week in Bern. Only a few parliamentarians will be authorized to consult these still secret agreements. And above all, the government renounces the double majority of cantons in the event of popular voting.
>> Read also: Swiss-EU agreements: Criticized Federal Council management
These decisions have aroused strong tensions within the Parliament and fear the failure of agreements in the ballot box. These will first be subject to the Federal Parliament, then to the Swiss people, in several stages. Despite everything, the European Union ambassador to Switzerland Petros Mavromichalis says he is confident and assures that the EU will be patient.
“We are of course aware that, in the end, it is always the people who decide in Switzerland, so we are waiting for this referendum to take place and that he has a positive outcome,” he said in the 19:30 of RTS. “We have constitutional procedures that are complex, so we perfectly respect those of our partner, Switzerland”.
>> See the details of 7:30 p.m. on tensions in Bern:
“Win-win” agreements
Petros Mavromichalis is convinced that these agreements between Switzerland and the EU “are in the interest of both parties”. “I participated in certain negotiation tables, so everything I know confirm in my feeling that these are winning-win agreements,” he said.
One of the agreements in particular concerns electricity, the importance of which was highlighted at the start of the week with the electrical failure on the Iberian peninsula. With this agreement, Switzerland will be more protected, assures the EU ambassador.
>> Read also: Electricity, exports, taxes, justice, wages: how new agreements with Europe would change our daily life
“What you need to know is that Switzerland, already today, is more connected to the European network than Spain and Portugal, for historical reasons,” he explains. “But it is clear that with an agreement, the connections will be stronger and solidarity will be stronger, even automatic”.
This solidarity must however go in both directions, recalls Petros Mavromichalis. “The neighbors will always help Switzerland. The European Union will be there in the event of a problem. But we obviously expect a return from the elevator,” he said.
The “essential” EU in the face of instability
This mutual solidarity is all the more important in the current geopolitical context. Faced with the new world order imposed by Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, the EU has an important role to play, estimates Petros Mavromichalis.
“Europe has never been so essential as today given the dangers that threaten us and ambient instability,” he said. “Our nations need to stick together, to stay together, to speak with one voice if we still want to weigh on the course of things worldwide.”
And Switzerland is no exception, according to the ambassador. “We may want to stay away, the problems join you, even if you are not looking for them,” said Petros Mavromichalis. “We cannot do the policy of the ostrich and put our heads in the sand”.
Interview by Fanny Zürcher
Web adaptation: Emilie Délétroz
