On 20 December 2024, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Viola Amherd, President of the Swiss Confederation, announced the successful conclusion of negotiations for a comprehensive package of agreements aimed at deepening relations between the EU and SwitzerlandThis development marks a milestone in a bilateral history that began in 1994 with the first bilateral agreements.
Since then, these treaties have regulated crucial issues such as: free movement and the tradeHowever, over time they became insufficient in the face of legislative changes within the European bloc. In 2008, Brussels proposed a framework agreement to automatically update these changes; however, talks started in 2014 failed until they were abandoned by Switzerland in 2021.
As of 2022, Switzerland has resumed efforts to modernise five agreements related to the internal market and two others on electricity and food security.
The Federal Council only communicated the general aspects of the result obtained in Brussels; however, it did grant certain concessions such as a provisional participation in Horizon Europe and a clause to limit immigration in the event of serious economic or social problems. However, there are still open questions regarding Swiss wage protection against labour dumping.
The negotiations were based on the Common Understanding agreed between both parties in October 2023 and involved more than 200 meetings since March last year under the political leadership of Commissioner Maros Šefčovič.
Package of agreements aimed at updating and expanding their collaboration in various sectors
The negotiations concluded last December refer to a comprehensive package of agreements aimed at deepening and expanding the EU-Switzerland relationship.
This set of agreements covers everything from transport to food security, with the aim of benefiting both citizens and companies in both regions.
The package signing includes the update of five existing agreements that allow Switzerland gains access to the EU internal market in key areas such as air transport, land transport, free movement of persons, conformity assessment and agricultural trade. These agreements will be modernised to reflect recent legislative changes in the EU, thereby ensuring a level playing field for businesses.
In addition, a new agreement on food security has been established, creating a Common Space covering all dimensions of the food chain. Another agreement will allow Switzerland to participate in European mechanisms related to serious cross-border threats to health, integrating with bodies such as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
On energy fieldSwitzerland will participate in the European internal market thanks to a new agreement on electricity. A permanent financial contribution from Switzerland has also been agreed to support economic and social cohesion within the Union.
The package also provides for Swiss participation in flagship programmes such as Horizon Europe and Erasmus+, ensuring transitional arrangements from January 2025 to facilitate this integration. A separate agreement will cover its participation in space activities related to Galileo and EGNOS.
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