The EU Commission said on Tuesday that negotiations had made some progress but that “no breakthrough” had been possible.
Switzerland’s chief negotiator Roberto Balzaretti for his part refused to answer questions by journalists in Brussels.
The EU had set a deadline of mid-October to wrap up nearly four years of negotiations. The main differences between the two sides are apparently issues over access to the Swiss labour market and government subsidies.
A spokeswoman for the EU said it was now up to political leaders to assess the situation and to decide whether or not to formally abandon talks.
Government reaction
The Swiss government on Wednesday announced it had taken note of the results of the negotiations.
“What matters most is the quality of an agreement,” a cabinet spokesman told the media. “The government will release its decision in due time.”
However, it dismissed any notion of a mid-October deadline.
It is not clear whether the Swiss president, Alain Berset, is still planning to travel to Brussels later this week to meet the EU Commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker.
The 28-nation bloc has threatened to hamper access to the EU stock markets for Swiss banks if Switzerland continues to block progress towards framework agreement, covering the more than 120 bilateral accords between the two sides.
However, the Swiss government argues there is no majority in parliament for such an agreement with the country’s main trading partner.
More
More
Switzerland and the EU
This content was published on
Switzerland has a turbulent relationship with the European Union. While many Swiss would be happy to join the EU, there are even more who are not interested as nationwide votes have shown in the past. (Keystone)
Basel diocese files five claims of sexual abuse in Swiss Catholic Church
This content was published on
The diocese of Basel has received 141 reports of sexual abuse since the publication of a sweeping study on violations in the Catholic Church by the University of Zurich in 2023.
Swiss president calls for open markets and stable institutions in WEF speech
This content was published on
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter was among speakers at the WEF in Davos to make the case for fair competition, a day after Donald Trump became the 47th president of the United States.
Swiss film in competition at the 75th Berlinale has a shot at Golden Bear
This content was published on
The feature film La Cache by Lausanne screenwriter and director Lionel Baier has a chance of winning the Silver or Golden Bear at the 75th Berlinale, festival organisers said on Tuesday.
Swiss politician who shot at image of Jesus resigns from Liberal Green Party
This content was published on
Sanija Ameti, who caused controversy after shooting at an image of Jesus and Mary last September, has resigned from the Liberal Green Party.
Swiss campaigners gather enough signatures to submit ‘responsible business’ initiative
This content was published on
The Swiss people are set to vote again on the corporate responsibility of multinationals after campaigners collected 183,661 signatures in 14 days for their new 'responsible business' initiative.
Several Swiss municipalities and banks hit by cyberattack
This content was published on
Russian hackers attacked the websites of several Swiss municipalities and banks on Tuesday, just as the World Economic Forum (WEF), got under way in Davos.
Music strengthens brain connections in premature babies, Swiss study shows
This content was published on
In premature babies, music strengthens connections in certain areas of the brain, according to a years-long study by the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG).
WEF gives Crystal Award to Beckham, Yamamoto and von Fürstenberg
This content was published on
The World Economic Forum in Davos handed out awards to UNICEF ambassador David Beckham, Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto and women's rights activist Diane von Fürstenberg.
Swiss CEOs betting on a strong domestic market in 2025
This content was published on
Swiss business leaders are optimistic about 2025, despite a world in crisis, says a new survey by Pricewaterhouse Coopers.
This content was published on
Economics Minister Guy Parmelin and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis have welcomed Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang to Bern
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Framing the terms for future Swiss-EU relations
This content was published on
What’s it all about? The EU is clear that participating in its single market requires a consistent implementation and interpretation of the market’s continually developing set of rules. Therefore, Brussels expects that the bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU will continue to be adapted to any potential legal developments in the future. Since 2014, the…
Swiss-EU disputes could go to ‘arbitration court’, says government
This content was published on
The Federal Council has declared a willingness to accept a special arbitration court to settle legal disputes arising from Swiss-EU relations.
Swiss-EU ‘psychodrama’ has papers rubbing their eyes
This content was published on
Are trade unions holding the Swiss government hostage? Is the left turning hardcore socialist? Whatever’s going on, newspapers are unimpressed.
Switzerland to honour CHF1.3 billion EU cohesion payment
This content was published on
The second batch of so-called “cohesion” payments was put in some doubt after the EU restricted the Swiss stock exchange’s access to the European market to one year. But the government on Friday said that, after a review of the situation, the funds would be released. “In order to safeguard its prosperity in the long…
This content was published on
In December the EU only granted the Swiss stock exchange, operated by the SIX groupExternal link, permission to trade EU company shares for one year. The decision infuriated Swiss politicians who accused the EU of acting in bad faith and threatening Switzerland’s financial interests. On Friday, Maurer unveiled plans to give EU trading venues a dose…
This content was published on
Switzerland has dismissed an EU decision to grant only limited access to the stock market exchange and is reconsidering its CHF1.3 billion pledge.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.