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Switzerland should financially support the new EU states in the East. The Council of States on Thursday approved the second draft law on cohesion. He wants to make payments but a condition.
Money should flow only if the EU does not take discriminatory measures against Switzerland. Otherwise, the Federal Council should not incur any obligation on the basis of the framework credit. The Council of States adopted an application by Ruedi Noser (FDP / ZH) by 38 votes to 1 with 2 abstentions.
The Council is thinking first and foremost about the measures that the EU could take against the Swiss stock exchange: a year ago, the European Union decided to recognize the equivalence of Swiss stock market regulations for a period of one year. limited to one year. Another extension made them dependent on the progress of the framework agreement.
Apparently no extension
In the coming days or weeks it will be clear if the EU extends its recognition. For now, this does not look like this: EU Vice President Valdis Dombrowskis wrote in a letter to a MEP that there was not enough progress to recognize the equivalence of the Swiss stock market beyond December 2018. This had been known Wednesday.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis did not comment on this development. He said that the Federal Council had already declared a year ago that it was about discrimination. This has not changed. The Noser application was in accordance with the will of the Bundesrat. The general meteorological situation should be taken into account. The Federal Council, however, refuses to include this in the federal decree.
Clear signal against discrimination
It was also discussed that payments should also be related to improving bilateral relations with the EU. The request has been withdrawn in favor of the version of Noser. This is convinced because the concept of discrimination is legally clear – contrary to "improving relations".
Courts could determine whether there was discrimination, it was said. Noser said that it was a clear signal against discriminatory measures. The council shows that he is calmly trying to defuse the problems, Noser said. Pirmin Bishop (CVP / SO) said that the minimum we could expect is to refrain from discrimination. To hang on to it is "an expression of legitimate self-confidence even towards a great partner".
Price of access to the market
Damian Müller (FDP / LU) said: "I'm really fed up with being constantly bullied." Thomas Minder (SVP / SH) said that the decision had clearly indicated to the Council that Switzerland on its hind legs for the place of business.
The fact that Switzerland pays another cohesion billiard was not contested by most members of the Council. This is the price of market access, said Philipp Mueller (FDP / AG). Switzerland must expect future price increases, both politically and financially. 1.3 billion francs in ten years, or 130 million francs a year. This corresponds to only 1.1 per thousand exports to the EU, he said.
Resist temptation
Christian Levrat (SP / FR) has become against conditions. He described the link as an error, an illusion and political errors. The council should resist this temptation, he felt. Cohesion billions are not a favor for the EU nor a price for market access. It is above all an investment. Switzerland also has an interest in reducing inequalities within the EU.
Daniel Jositsch (SP / ZH) warned against establishing a new red line and restricting the freedom of action of the Federal Council. The thing reminds him of some chess. The goal in chess is to subdue the king – but not his. But he could support the version of Noser.
"Catastrophic result"
Regulations have been withdrawn to defer activities until the Federal Council decides on the follow-up to be given to the framework agreement. The decision is expected for Friday.
Paul Rechsteiner (SP / SG) has already been informed as President of the Trade Union Confederation (SGB) of the outcome of the negotiations. It was "simply catastrophic," he said. It is not simply a matter of shortening the pre-registration period for foreign service providers. The problem is that wage protection in Switzerland would be entirely subject to EU law. It was a violation of the red lines.
Reduce inequalities
Around 1.3 billion francs are being discussed to reduce economic and social inequalities within the EU. This amount includes the framework credit for cohesion, the framework credit for migration and the own expenditure of the federal administration.
The Cohesion credit line covers approximately 1.047 billion Swiss francs. Its aim is to help reduce economic and social inequalities in the EU. Countries from the EU to the East would benefit. The framework credit for migration includes CHF 190 million. This should benefit EU countries particularly affected by migration – not necessarily to the eastern countries. This section is December 12th.
(SDA)
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