For the time being Switzerland does not want to sign the agreement aimed at by the EU on the political and economic relations of both sides. The country demands further clarifications from the EU, the government in Bern announced today.
In particular, in the areas of wage dumping, worker protection and state aid, there is resistance in Switzerland to the negotiated text of the agreement. In a letter delivered today to the EU, it was said that only when there was a mutually satisfactory solution were the conditions for signing the agreement and submitting it to Parliament.
Several industries affected
The EU had given Switzerland time for internal political consultations by the middle of the year. With the new delay, the country is risking to offend its largest trading partner. The EU has already threatened to withdraw recognition from the SIX Swiss Exchange in the EU.
But other sectors could also be affected: The medical technology sector is dependent on the mutual recognition of medical standards to continue to sell without hurdles in the EU products. And scientists based in Switzerland benefit from EU research programs. In addition to all these points, an agreement would also lead to Switzerland automatically taking over the rules of the EU internal market.
