Summit meeting in Bern to discuss relations between Switzerland and the EU – rts.ch

The negotiations are continuing at an intense pace, according to the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). The meeting should have already taken place this summer, but it was canceled at the last minute, the negotiating positions apparently being too far apart.

>> Reread: Visit to Bern by the European Commissioner for Switzerland canceled

On Wednesday, discussions between Ignazio Cassis and Maros Sefcovic should notably focus on the amount of the contribution to cohesion. This discussion must be carried out at the political level, a person close to the matter said recently. Switzerland pays this contribution to the EU to have partial access to the European internal market.

The working meeting will be held at the Lohn estate, near Bern, said the FDFA. A joint dinner is planned at the end of the meeting. Ignazio Cassis will be accompanied by chief negotiator Patric Franzen as well as state secretaries Alexandre Fasel, Helene Budliger and Christine Schraner Burgener.

Since the summer, concrete progress has been made in particular in the area of ​​European programs, such as Horizon Europe. The free movement of people, on the other hand, gave rise to more difficult discussions.

Vote not before 2026

The negotiations were kicked off in March in Brussels by the President of the Confederation Viola Amherd and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. Previously, Switzerland and the EU had agreed on a common understanding defining the framework for negotiations. On this basis, both parties adopted their mandate.

>> Reread: Meeting in Brussels, Viola Amherd and Ursula von der Leyen relaunch negotiations with the EU

As soon as the negotiations between the EU and Switzerland have been initialed, the Federal Council will forward the file to Parliament. If he approves the agreement, the file will be submitted to the people. A popular vote is expected no earlier than fall 2026.

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