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The EU ambassador rejected Swiss requests for major changes compared to the preliminary discussions. Perhaps individual improvements are possible. But he makes it clear that further concessions from the EU can hardly be expected when it comes to wage protection.
Twelve pages long and still secret: The document that records the results of the so-called exploratory talks between the EU and Switzerland. From the point of view of the unions and the SP, the Swiss diplomats went too far towards accommodating the EU in these preliminary talks. They demand that the Federal Council reverse alleged concessions in official negotiations – specifically with regard to measures to protect Swiss wages.
In the SRF “Samstagsrundschau”, Petros Mavromichalis, a high-ranking EU representative, comments on the discussion. The EU ambassador to Switzerland speaks plainly: the twelve-page report is the framework. “You have to stay within this framework.” There is now a balance between the interests of the EU and Switzerland. Switzerland cannot therefore simply demand changes wherever something does not suit it.
“Otherwise we have wasted our time”
New fundamental discussions are not possible, says Mavromichalis: “Otherwise we would have wasted our time.” The preliminary discussions are not legally binding, “but we feel bound by this result.”
The EU ambassador leaves one small door open: individual points could definitely be improved in the negotiations. When asked about the unions’ requests for improvements in wage protection, the so-called accompanying measures, the EU ambassador was categorical: “We would prefer not to have these at all. From our point of view, they are illegal – and we want to change that.”
There is no wage dumping in the EU.
Specifically, the unions want, for example, to reverse concessions made by Switzerland on deposits that EU companies now have to provide for orders in Switzerland. And they want to stipulate that Switzerland does not have to adopt the EU’s expense regulations. For employees working abroad, this does not provide for the expense estimates of the country of residence, but rather those of the country of origin.
The EU ambassador defends Brussels’ stance on both points: “There is no wage dumping in the EU,” he says. The expense regulation does not cause any problems in the EU. And the Swiss deposit requirement for EU companies is discriminatory.
No clear commitment from the Federal Council
The Federal Council discussed the preliminary discussions over two weeks ago. Unlike the EU Commission, he has not fully committed to its findings. He just talked about progress. Research by SRF showed that a clearer commitment was originally planned. There was resistance to this from SP and SVP federal councilors. According to media reports, the Federal Council then stated in a letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that the results of the explorations did not represent any red lines for it.
Official negotiations are scheduled to begin next spring. In three weeks, the Federal Council wants to approve a draft for a negotiating mandate. A package with new agreements in the areas of electricity, food safety and health is planned. For existing agreements, the role of the EU Court of Justice in disputes and the adoption of future EU law by Switzerland will be redefined.