Swiss celebrities call for fresh start with Europe
Thirty years after Swiss voters rejected joining the European Economic Area (EEA), almost 200 people in the public eye – including several former Swiss presidents – have called for the government to clarify quickly how it intends to shape relations with the European Union and better incorporate European realities.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ts
Português
pt
Personalidades suíças pedem um novo começo com a Europa
The broad support from all parts of Swiss society shows that the current stalemate with the EU can be overcome, the initiators of the “Call to Action” campaign said on Thursday. “Today a good compromise is capable of winning a majority, which strengthens the government’s hand in the upcoming negotiations,” they said.
On December 6, 1992, 50.3% of Swiss voters rejected joining the European Economic Area (EEA), a move which would have granted near-full access to the European single market. Since then, more than 120 bilateral accords have regulated relations. However, last year Switzerland unilaterally broke off negotiations on a framework deal to replace the accords, leading to a souring of relations between Bern and Brussels. Subsequent efforts to break the diplomatic deadlock have failed.
More
More
EU and Switzerland aim for third set of bilateral deals
This content was published on
The chief Swiss negotiator, Livia Leu, says Switzerland and the EU have reached an agreement to aim for on another set of bilateral treaties.
On Thursday the “Call to Action” campaigners said the stabilisation of relations between Bern and Brussels should not be put on the back burner. “There’s too much at stake. In view of the worsening global crises, hesitating and continuing to wait is not a strategy,” they said.
“After all, Switzerland’s best and most reliable allies are its European neighbours. The alternative to a contractually secured further development of the partnership with the EU is not the status quo but the erosion of cooperation.”
Signatories to the campaign include former cabinet ministers and presidents Pascal Couchepin, Joseph Deiss, Ruth Dreifuss, Arnold Koller, Moritz Leuenberger, Doris Leuthard and Samuel Schmid as well as Oscar-winning film director Xavier Koller and astronaut Claude Nicollier.
More
More
Why is Switzerland not in the European Union?
This content was published on
From money to direct democracy: we look at some of the main reasons behind Switzerland’s decision not to join the 27-nation bloc.
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
This content was published on
The parents of the young jihadist who left for Syria to join the Islamic State have been given suspended sentences by the Federal Criminal Court.
This content was published on
Felix Lehner, Pamela Rosenkranz and Miroslav Sik have been awarded the Swiss Grand Award for Art/Prix Meret Oppenheim 2025.
Nearly 2% of new Swiss disability insurance claims involve Long Covid
This content was published on
Just under 2% of new claims submitted to the disability insurance between 2021 and 2023 concern people suffering from Long Covid.
This content was published on
The watch industry had to contend with a weakening of its exports last year, which reached a volume of CHF25.9 billion ($28.5 billion).
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
Deal or no deal: How five non-member states handle EU relations
This content was published on
Following the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union, all eyes are now on the framework agreement with Switzerland.
This content was published on
Citing “substantial differences”, the government has decided not to move ahead with a controversial institutional agreement on relations with the EU.
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.