contents
The Europe debate in Switzerland is picking up speed again. With an initiative, Sanija Ameti, co-president of Operation Libero, wants to oblige the Federal Council to an agreement with the EU. Stephan Rietiker, designated President of Pro Switzerland, strives to preserve the country’s independence.
“Today, Switzerland is lying like a beetle on its back and wriggling when it comes to European politics,” said Sanija Ameti, co-president of Operation Libero in the “Arena” on Friday evening. In order for our country to be able to act again in European politics, it must realize that it is dependent on cooperation. “If Switzerland needs energy, wants to ensure patient care or fight climate change, it must be able to conclude agreements.” That is no longer possible today because there is no institutional solution.
Around a year and a half after the negotiations on the framework agreement with the EU were broken off, positions have hardened. So far, no consensus has been found, including in domestic politics. In the “Arena” the politicians debated how to proceed.
Bilateral way or institutional solution?
Ameti pleaded for the Europe initiative, which aims to answer institutional questions.
Stephan Rietiker, President-elect of Pro Switzerland, is convinced that this Operation Libero initiative is a “shame.”
The bilateral treaties are intact.
On the other hand, Rietiker defended himself: “In the EU, inflation and the unemployment rate is much higher than in Switzerland, and in the governments there are sorcerers’ apprentices at work.” The bilateral agreements are undisputed. “The bilateral agreements are intact and as long as they do not affect Switzerland’s sovereignty, they can be further developed.”
FDP National Councilor Petra Gössi also sees individual bilateral agreements as the appropriate way to regulate Switzerland’s relationship with the EU. Regulations on institutional issues are to be anchored there. This allows Switzerland to preserve its self-image.
Now that talks are being held with the EU again, Gössi said they are well on the way to finding a solution. “The main problem is that we don’t agree domestically on what exactly we want,” said Gössi. The criticism was also directed at the Europe initiative, which has a goal but does not show how it is to be achieved.
“The bilaterals were only ever an interim solution,” Ameti replied. Now you can no longer avoid the institutional questions. It does not matter whether these are answered in a framework agreement or in sectoral agreements.
Access to the internal market as the central core
“Switzerland thinks they just have to know what they want – they just have to negotiate with themselves, and then Brussels would sign it,” criticized SP National Councilor Eric Nussbaumer. But for 15 years it has been clear that the bilateral path is no longer going forward. “We have to get back to the negotiating table.”
It is in our country’s deepest interest that we continue to have access to the single market.
The idea of absolute independence had fallen out of time. “We will always be anchored in a European community of states,” said Nussbaumer. The current blockade harms Switzerland as a location for work and research. “It is in our country’s deepest interest that we continue to have access to the single market.”
“We don’t have to go to Brussels in a penitent’s shirt,” Riediker replied. Switzerland can discuss with the EU on an equal footing and must not curry favor. “The EU is important to us, but there are also other trading partners.” For example, Switzerland’s largest export partner is the USA, and Asian markets should also be increasingly developed.
Meanwhile, Switzerland and the European Union are in talks for possible negotiations on a new framework agreement. A next round of exploratory talks has been announced for October 12th.