Abteilung Europa

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Switzerland's European policy

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Switzerland's European policy

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  • News
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    News

    New media releases and information on the relations between Switzerland and Europe.

    Federal Council press conferences

    Selected press conferences and their short versions on Switzerland's current European policy on the official YouTube channel of the Swiss Federal Council.

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  • Intergovernmental relations
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    Bilateral country relations

    Switzerland maintains bilateral relations with the individual member states of the EU and EFTA as well as with the other European states such as Vatican City.

    Swiss contribution to selected EU member states

    With the Swiss contribution Switzerland is investing in Europe’s security, stability and prosperity. Switzerland strengthens and deepens its bilateral relations with its partner countries and EU as a whole.

    EFTA and EEA

    The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) promotes free trade and economic integration between Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

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  • Bilateral approach
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    Overview

    Main bilateral agreements and arrangements between Switzerland and the EU.

    Bilateral agreements until 1999

    Between 1972 and 1999, Switzerland signed treaties with the EU that enabled a free trade area without customs duties, as well as agreements on insurance and the transport of goods.

    Bilateral agreements I (1999)

    In 1999, Switzerland and the EU signed a first package of seven agreements, bound together by the «guillotine clause».

    Bilateral agreements II (2004)

    Switzerland and the European Union (EU) signed nine further agreements in 2004.

    Bilateral agreements and cooperations since 2004

    Switzerland and the European Union (EU) have concluded other important agreements and arrangements since 2004.

    Stabilisation and further development of the bilateral approach

    The bilateral approach forms the basis for the partnership between Switzerland and the EU. The Federal Council is committed to its stabilisation and selective expansion.

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  • European Union
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    Portrait and history of the EU

    A union of states and a community of values, the European Union (EU) emerged from the efforts of European states to work towards peace and prosperity.

    The enlargement process

    The gradual integration of former Eastern Bloc countries and Malta into the EU.

    Political system and functioning

    The functioning, areas of competence and funding of the EU.

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  • Publications
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    Reports

    From the foreign policy strategy to the annual report on Switzerland's contribution to the enlarged EU: overview of key Swiss strategies and reports concerning European policy.

    Switzerland-EU in figures

    Selected charts and figures on Swiss-EU economic relations and other topics pertaining to European policy.

    FAQ

    What is the package approach and what does it consist of? Which countries are in Schengen? FAQs and answers concerning European policy, the institutional agreement, Schengen/Dublin and Brexit.

    Lecture service

    FDFA specialists come to you – an offer to schools, associations and other institutions.

    Slide presentations

    Slide presentations on Swiss-EU relations and on the EU itself. Concise and richly illustrated, suitable for teaching and training purposes.

    Access to official documents

    The procedure for obtaining access to official documents in accordance with the transparency principle.

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  • Bilateral approach
  • Overview
  • Economic importance of the bilateral agreements
  • Entry into force
  • Institutional agreement (up to 2021)
  • Legal Aspects
  • Mixed Committee
  • Popular votes and chronology
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Suche & Themen A - Z

  • Home
  • Bilateral approach
  • Overview
  • Bilateral approach
    • Overview
    • Economic importance of the bilateral agreements
    • Entry into force
    • Institutional agreement (up to 2021)
    • Legal Aspects
    • Mixed Committee
    • Popular votes and chronology



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Europe Division

Address

Federal Palace East
3003 Bern

Contact

Additional information

@swissMFAeurope


Consular activities and Visa

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Last update 10.12.2024

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Contact

Europe Division

Federal Palace East
3003 Bern

Contact

Phone
+41 58 462 22 22

@swissMFAeurope

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Switzerland's European policy

  • Jobs

  • Contact

News

  • News
  • Federal Council press conferences

Publications

  • Reports
  • FAQ
  • Slide presentations
  • Switzerland-EU in figures
  • Lecture service
  • Access to official documents

Intergovernmental relations

  • Bilateral country relations
  • EFTA and EEA
  • Swiss contribution to selected EU member states

Bilateral approach

  • Overview
  • Stabilisation and further development of the bilateral approach
  • Bilateral agreements and cooperations since 2004
  • Bilateral agreements II (2004)
  • Bilateral agreements I (1999)
  • Bilateral agreements until 1999

European Union

  • Portrait and history of the EU
  • Political system and functioning
  • The enlargement process

Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft

  • Impressum

  • Terms and conditions

Switzerland's European policy