Tough talks between EU and Switzerland

Time is pressing, but Switzerland is having a hard time clarifying its relationship with the EU – its most important partner and sales market, after all. The country in the middle of Europe is also coming under pressure because of a strict interpretation of neutrality.

The window of opportunity for a deal between Switzerland and the EU is closing slowly but surely. Swiss State Secretary Livia Leu is coming to Brussels today for the eighth round of exploratory talks with the EU Commission. It is not likely to be the last. The talks are about a new basis for the bilateral relationship, so far enshrined in a complex web of more than 120 agreements. This is the second attempt after the Swiss government unilaterally broke off talks on a virtually completed so-called framework agreement in May 2021, to the annoyance of the EU.

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