Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Renew Europe welcomes the EU-Switzerland cooperation agreement, strengthening ties and addressing critical issues like transport, electricity, and movement.
Renew Europe a pro-European political group in the European Parliament, has welcomed the cooperation agreement between European Union and Switzerland. After a decade of talks, Switzerland and the European Union have finally gained a groundbreaking partnership agreement to revamp their association. This agreement seeks to strengthen relations between Swiss and European citizens, update common rules, simplify daily life for citizens and businesses, and provide balanced economic development and solidarity.
Renew Europe Group has supported such an arrangement between the European Union and Switzerland based on confidence and a level playing field.
Renew Group’s MEP Christophe GRUDLER and the EU Parliament’s permanent rapporteur for ties with Switzerland stated:
This agreement marks a momentous milestone in Swiss-EU associations, addressing the demand for solutions in an increasingly insecure global context following the failed 2021 talks. Switzerland, although not part of the European Union, is deeply connected to EuropeEurope. We intercommunicate common values. I would like to pay tribute to the work of the European Commission and the Swiss Federal Council, who have displayed a real political intention to move forward together.
What are the details of the Agreement?
On 20 Dec 2024, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd, announced the triumphant conclusion of discussions on a comprehensive agreement sought to support the EU-Switzerland relationship. This contract covers critical areas such as electricity, state support, transport, and freedom of movement while also managing Switzerland’s financial assistance to the European Union.
The European Union is Switzerland’s major trading partner and Switzerland is the European Union’s fourth biggest trading partner. Approximately 1.4 million European Union citizens live in Switzerland, denoting 16% of the country’s people, while 400,000 Swiss nationals live in European Union nations. In addition, 340.000 European Union citizens journey to Switzerland every day to work.
The sweeping package seeks to modernise five essential arrangements between Switzerland and the EU that currently deliver access to the EU internal market. These deals cover air and land transport, the unrestricted movement of persons, conformity review, and trade in agricultural developments.
