Switzerland - EU Difficult world situation has helped the EU dossier, according to Cassis
According to Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the difficult global situation has helped the EU dossier in Switzerland. In the negotiations on the new agreements, Switzerland has achieved more than it could have hoped for, he said in an interview.
21.06.2025, 00:44
SDA
"Compared to the discussions on the framework agreement four years ago, when the state of the world was still better, we feel a greater sense of urgency today," said the Foreign Minister in an interview with the NZZ newspaper on Saturday. Close and stable relations with our closest neighbors are becoming increasingly important.
This also applies economically. "Participation in the European single market is vital for Switzerland - and it will become even more important if other markets are no longer accessible or only under worse conditions," emphasized Cassis.
The publication of the agreements with the EU was "a liberating blow after extremely intensive and exhausting months". "I have noticed a great deal of interest from the public," said Cassis. People want to understand the full breadth and depth of "what we have negotiated" and are not just interested in the "same old buzzwords".
He believes that the whole package of agreements is good for Switzerland. He just doesn't know whether the people will see it the same way. "Today I can confidently say that the result exceeds our hopes. Conversely, this means that I cannot imagine that we will find a better solution to save the bilateral approach," said the Swiss Foreign Minister.
Switzerland had achieved more, for example, with the safeguard clause on the free movement of persons. "Above all, we were able to secure the core: We continue to have freedom of movement for workers and not for citizens," emphasized Cassis. Only those who work in Switzerland or can provide for themselves financially can live here with their family.
