Switzerland-EU agreement –
The deal with the European Union will cost more
In the event of a new bilateral agreement, Switzerland could be required to pay a much higher contribution to the EU than currently.
Published today at 4:34 p.m.
Switzerland and the European Union hope to reach an agreement by the end of the year.
AFP
Subscribe now and enjoy the audio playback feature.
BotTalk
- The Federal Council is discussing a new agreement with the European Union.
- Switzerland could triple its annual cohesion payments to 450 million.
- The UDC strongly criticizes this increase, deeming it unnecessarily costly.
- Viola Amherd remains optimistic despite the many persistent disagreements.
This is a highly anticipated session in Bern: on Wednesday, the Federal Council must take stock of its negotiations with Brussels with a view to a new bilateral agreement. But our colleagues from the “NZZ on Sunday” wrote this Sunday: the financial question promises to make people cringe. To date, Switzerland pays around 130 million francs each year for “European cohesion”. This money is intended for certain EU states, such as Bulgaria and Romania, with the aim of reducing economic and social disparities between the countries of the Union.
From 130 to 450 million
But according to calculations obtained by our colleagues and those of CH Media, the sum could rise to 450 million francs per year. This sum does not come out of nowhere: it is based on the calculation applied to Norway, also outside the EU, which pays 390 million francs. Supporters of a treaty with Brussels view this quite favorably and consider it to be money well invested, since it would guarantee access to the EU internal market and possible concessions.
The UDC, firmly opposed to an agreement, is unsurprisingly against this proposal. “I never understood that we had to send money to the EU to trade with them. We are not transferring anything to the Americans and the Chinese,” national councilor Franz Grüter told the Zurich newspaper. And added: “Europeans export many more goods to Switzerland than our companies sell on the European market. In fact, it is Brussels that should pay us compensation, and not the other way around.”
Viola Amherd at the front
That being said, if the desire is to sign an agreement, it is difficult to see how Switzerland could avoid an increase in its financial participation. Because time is running out. In the “SonntagsBlick”, economic circles are putting pressure in favor of a “bilateral path” even if, in the eyes of the newspaper, this is “a very vague profession of faith” and that Viola Amherd, president of the Confederation, would today find itself alone in believing in an agreement. Much hope is placed on his good contacts with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Because the other points of friction are numerous: Switzerland still requires a safeguard clause in matters of immigration. Progress has reportedly been made, but we should not expect miracles, analyzes the “NZZ am Sonntag.” Supporters expect a deal by the end of the year. It will still need to be able to garner a majority of favorable opinions. This comes as the “Boussole” initiative, aimed at strengthening the power of the Swiss people over European law, has just been launched.
“Latest news”
Want to stay on top of the news? “24 Heures” offers you two appointments per day, directly in your email box. So you don’t miss anything that’s happening in your Canton, in Switzerland or around the world.
Other newsletters
Log in
Did you find an error? Please report it to us.
27 comments
