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| "I love you... nor do I" |
Background
The European Union has signed agreements with some non EU-countries in different parts of the world. By signing one of these, a state becomes a partner of the EU and can participate in certain EU programmes under specific conditions.
Swiss citizens pronounced themselves against an accession to the EU during a referendum first in 1992 and then in 2001. In 2013, the Swiss government stated that “the request for accession to the EU by Switzerland is no longer relevant”.
However, the EU remains the main partner of Switzerland for trade and investment. In 2011, the share of the European Union in Swiss foreign trade was at 68%. In 2012, the Swiss investments in the EU accounted for 42.7%; the share of investments from the EU was at 79.1% of the overall foreign investments in Switzerland. Nearly 430 000 Swiss citizens live in the EU and more than one million EU citizens live in Switzerland, not to mention the 230 000 EU citizens crossing the border daily to work in Switzerland.
A number of agreements have been signed between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation:
- The Free Trade Agreement of 1972 (concerns industrial products only);
- Customs Facilitation and Security Agreements of 1990 and 2009;
- Bilateral Agreements I of 1999:
- Agriculture;
- Free movement of persons;
- Public contracts;
- Technical barriers to trade;
- Research;
- Air transport;
- Land transport.
- Bilateral Agreements II of 2004:
- Schengen and Dublin Conventions: collaboration in the areas of justice, security, asylum and migration with the EU;
- Environment (participation of Switzerland in the European Environment Agency);
- Taxation of savings;
- Fight against fraud;
- MEDIA: Swiss participation in the EU programme for the promotion and the competitiveness of European films;
- Processed agricultural products: reduction of customs duties;
- Pensions: abolition of the double taxation of the retired civil servants from the EU living in Switzerland;
- Education, vocational education and youth programmes: strengthening of the Swiss participation;
- Statistics: to harmonise statistical data collection;
- Payment of aid to new EU member states.
In 2008, Switzerland has joined the Schengen area for the facilitation of the free movement of persons between member states and the Dublin system for the processing of asylum claims.
Today
The relationship between Switzerland and the EU has not always been very easy in the past. In 2009, a referendum has been organised regarding the opening of the Swiss labour market to the Romanian and Bulgarian citizens. The yes votes were at 59.6%, but a refusal would have very serious consequences in trade between Switzerland and the EU.
At the same time, both parties cooperated to improve the “bilateral approach” which remains for Switzerland the best option to collaborate with the EU while preserving its own interests.
On 9 February 2014, the Swiss citizens were invited to express themselves on whether or not to adopt the direct initiative against the “mass immigration”, which was supported by the Swiss People's Party (UDC - Union démocratique du centre). The participation rate was at 55.8%, the yes votes were at 50.34% against 49.66% for the no votes. The aim of this initiative is the restriction of the residence permits, including the permits to EU citizens.
In August 2013, an agreement has been reached between Switzerland and Croatia (new EU member state since 1st July 2013) to allow the free movement of Croatian workers. However, the outcome of the voting have questioned this agreement which is now inconsistent with the Swiss policy.
The European Commission has denounced the situation and has accordingly decided to adopt restrictive measures in respect of Switzerland. Contrary to what was scheduled, Switzerland won't be allowed to fully participate to three EU programmes:
- ERASMUS + programme;
- HORIZON 2020 programme;
- MEDIA sub-programme within CREATIVE EUROPE programme.
From now, Switzerland will have a third country status and its participation will be subject to certain conditions.
This situation will last as long as the agreement between Switzerland and Croatia is not signed as originally planned. The Swiss government is expected to express an opinion regarding the conditions for the signing of this agreement at the beginning of April. However, the UDC party, which proposed the controversial initiative, charge Brussels of punishing Berne for refusing to double its financial involvement to ERASMUS + programme which amounts to 300 million Swiss francs (about 206 million pounds). The European Commission refuted that statement.
On the Swiss side, the Federal Council is currently working on alternatives in order to compensate the status change of Switzerland for the three EU programmes. The deadlock in negotiations indeed has serious consequences.
Since the introduction in 1992 of ERAMUS + programme in Switzerland, about 26 000 Swiss students have been able to study abroad. However, the EU students coming in Switzerland are more numerous. The Swiss Confederation paid out approximately 8 million Swiss francs (about 5.5 million pounds) in 2012 to help Swiss students.
Thanks to its participation to HORIZON 2020 programme, the Swiss government expects the creation of 8000 jobs and 240 businesses. However, many Swiss researchers are affected by the situation. The government announced the implementation of supporting measures.
In Switzerland, the mobilisation of higher education and research sectors is strong because the consequences of an exclusion are serious. From the European side, the reactions are different: on the one hand, some assert that the free movement of persons is non-negotiable and Switzerland must find a solution, even if the EU remains available to continue the dialogue. On the other hand, others consider that the decision is too strict and the EU will also be affected.
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