The first meeting between the new Swiss president and the European Commission president, who know each other from earlier meetings, was primarily intended to renew discussions at the highest level. During their talks they stressed the common interest on the part of Switzerland and the EU in continuing and consolidating the bilateral path. The consultations on the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons, which began last year, and negotiations and talks on other outstanding issues will be pursued intensively. The Swiss president and the European Commission president agreed to stay in regular contact to overcome the current challenges together.
The Federal Council will submit a draft bill on the implementation of the new constitutional provision to Parliament in March, the main points of which were presented last December. The Federal Council is seeking to reach an agreement with the EU on the introduction of a safeguard clause, which would respect both the Swiss Constitution and the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. If no such agreement is possible, the Federal Council proposes to introduce a unilateral safeguard clause in the Foreign Nationals Act.
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EAER Information Service
Tel. 058 462 20 07, info@gs-wbf.admin.ch
Publisher:
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research
