The infinite history of the framework agreement

(Photo: Peter Klaunzer / Keystone)

For ten years, the EU has been seeking a framework agreement with Switzerland. Now, the hour of truth beats. Today, the Federal Council decides on the continuation of the negotiations with Brussels

Tobias Gafafer 4.7.2018, 12:00

Bern and Brussels negotiate a framework agreement for four years, an institutional framework for existing agreements and new potential contracts for market access. It is planned to regulate the continuous adaptation and uniform interpretation of agreements and the judicial settlement of disputes. Without a solution to these questions, the EU does not want to enter into new market access agreements with Switzerland.

2018

June 14

Cassis is questioning today about the design of accompaniment measures

Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis draws the anger of the unions and of left. The objectives of the accompanying measures for the free movement of people could perhaps also be achieved in other ways, he says. This includes the eight-day pre-registration deadline for foreign companies, which disrupts the EU and neighboring countries. If Switzerland remains firm on this issue, there should be no framework agreement.

Plan B for the Protection of the Swiss Stock Exchange

6. June

Berne does not expect Brussels that it grants indefinitely the recognition of stock exchange equivalence. For the moment, it is not clear if the Swiss regulation of 2019 will be equivalent to that of the EU. If necessary, the Federal Council wants to prevent serious damage to the Swiss financial center. It's a plan B, which has probably never been implemented, says Ueli Maurer.

28. March

New billions of cohesion for the EU states

The Federal Council opens the consultation on the new contribution to cohesion. Over the next ten years, the government also wants to support the poorest countries in the east of the EU with about 1.3 billion francs, mainly in vocational training. In addition, they would like to invest 200 million new people in the migration sector.

3. March

The Federal Council takes a new start

The Federal Council closes its doors in European politics and reorients its strategy. In negotiations on a framework agreement, he seeks an arbitration tribunal as independent as possible in the event of a dispute between Bern and Brussels. Accompanying measures for the free movement of people again declare the government a red line.

31 January

Balzaretti becomes chief European negotiator

Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis performs a cast of staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Image: Stefan Wermuth / Reuters)

The Federal Council intends to conclude a framework agreement by the end of the year, but not at any price. He names Roberto Balzaretti as Secretary of State and new European Chief Negotiator. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis hopes to make progress in resolving disputes with innovative approaches.

2017

20. December

Exchange of indignation with the EU

Just a month after the visit of the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker in Bern, it is a scandal . Brussels grants the Swiss Stock Exchange only a limited period of one year recognition that local regulations are equivalent. The EU has justified this approach by the Swiss tactics of blocking in the framework agreement. An extension makes the Commission dependent on progress in the negotiations. It shows that it can inflict economically painful needle stings on Switzerland.

23 November

Juncker and Leuthard take stock

Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Federal President Doris Leuthard discuss a new dynamic between Switzerland and the EU. (Image: Stefan Wermuth / Reuters)

For the first time since 2008, a President of the European Commission visits Bern. Jean-Claude Juncker and President Doris Leuthard spread a spirit of optimism. Switzerland promises the EU a new contribution to cohesion. Berne and Brussels sign an agreement on the trading of emission rights and update existing agreements. In negotiations on a framework agreement, Mr Juncker hopes to reach an agreement by April 2018.

20. September

Cassis elected to the new Federal Council

The Federal Assembly elects the FDP National Council of Ticino, Ignazio Cassis, succeeding Didier Burkhalter. He will take over the broadcast department in November.

28 July

Swiss exporters breathe a sigh of relief

Switzerland and the EU update agreement on mutual recognition of conformity assessments, which is important for Export industry. The movement reflects the normalization of bilateral relations. After the adoption of the mass immigration initiative in 2014, it has worsened.

Fourteenth June

Didier Burkhalter resigns

Federal Councilor Didier Burkhalter says goodbye to federal politics. The photo shows him during his last appearance on the National Council on September 27, 2017. (Photo: Peter Schneider / Keystone)

Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter, dissatisfied with the European dossier, announces his resignation. He says that after years of political commitment, it is time to "write a new page in life". The pending framework agreement had not exhausted him, Burkhalter answers to a question.

. 6 April

Bilateral Thaw

A little further: Leuthard and Juncker in Brussels in front of the media. (Image: François Lenoir / Reuters)

President Doris Leuthard visits the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, in Brussels. Switzerland and the EU resume negotiations on all outstanding issues. At the same time, they negotiate a framework agreement. The declared goal is an agreement on all outstanding issues before the end of the year

2016

16. December

Parliament adopts a "national priority"

At the December session, the National Council and the Council of States agree on a priority for the unemployed. In occupational groups, business sectors and economic regions where unemployment is above average, the federal government should take temporary measures to promote job seekers. The regulation does not call into question the free movement of people with the EU.

19th September

Juncker in Zurich

Juncker and Schneider-Ammann at the University of Zurich. (Image: Manuel Lopez / Keystone)

The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, meets Federal President Johann Schneider-Ammann in Zurich. He signals his approval of the solution with the obligation to register, even if there are still open questions.

2. August

Commission for Gentle National Priority

The National Commission of the State National Council is engaged in the implementation of the mass immigration initiative. She wants to introduce a job notification requirement in order to slow down immigration. Quotas, a national priority lasts or a safeguard clause are not included.

27. July

Switzerland withdraws its application for membership

Switzerland informs the EU Council Presidency that the application for membership submitted in 1992 must be considered withdrawn. Earlier, Parliament had taken a similar initiative.

June 24

Britain votes in favor of Brexit

51.9% of Britons are in favor of leaving the EU. The decision also has an impact on the negotiations between Switzerland and the EU, because similar questions are asked in some cases.

. 4 March

Signature of the Protocol of Croatia

Switzerland and the EU sign the Protocol on the extension of the free movement of persons to Croatia. This should allow an association with the EU research program.

. March 4

The Federal Council adopts a unilateral safeguard clause

The government wants to limit the immigration of EU citizens beyond a certain threshold if necessary. This would be contrary to the agreement on the free movement of persons.

2015

August 12

New Chief Negotiator

Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter and the Federal Council appoint Jacques de Watteville chief negotiator for EU affairs. (Photo: Peter Klaunzer / Keystone)

Jacques de Watteville, head of the State Secretariat for International Financial Affairs, becomes the new chief negotiator of all EU affairs. The former head of European diplomats, Secretary of State Yves Rossier, is thus deprived.

2014

22 May

Negotiations begin on framework agreements

Switzerland and the EU begin to negotiate a framework agreement. This should further develop and secure the bilateral path. However, discussions on a solution to the dispute by the European Court of Justice are barely progressing.

6. May

EU adopts negotiating mandate

According to the Federal Council, the EU Council also adopts the mandate to negotiate a framework agreement with Switzerland. The yes to mass immigration has resulted in a delay.

XVI February

Suspension of the protocol of Croatia and the EU research program

The Bundesrat informs the EU that Switzerland can not sign the protocol fully negotiated on the Extension of the free movement of persons to Croatia. As a result, Brussels is blocking negotiations on the Horizon 2020 research program, the Erasmus + education program and the Electricity Agreement.

. February 9

Yes to the mass immigration initiative

Joy in the circle of the UDC on the rare yes to the mass immigration initiative. (Image: Marcel Bieri / Keystone)

50.3% of the votes support the mass immigration initiative of the UDC. This allows for an autonomous control of immigration with quotas and maximum numbers.

2013

18 December

The Federal Council wants to negotiate a framework agreement

The Federal Council adopts a mandate to negotiate a framework agreement with the EU. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) should play a key role in resolving disputes between the parties. The Swiss Secretary of State Yves Rossier and the EU Chief Negotiator David O. Sullivan agreed on this model in the spring of 2013.

2012

20 December

The EU finally sees the bilateral way

The Council of Ministers of the EU, representing the Member States, adopts its conclusions on relations with Switzerland. There should be no new bilateral agreements of the previous type. The EU insists on a framework agreement regulating the settlement of disputes and the legal framework.

2011

January 26

The Federal Council wants to develop further bilateral

The Federal Council decides to pursue a holistic strategy in the pursuit and development of the bilateral way.

2010

14. December

The EU calls for a dynamic adjustment

Brussels adopts a more critical tone with regard to Bern. The EU Council calls for a more dynamic adaptation of the agreements to future EU legislation as well as a new cohesion contribution. The bilateral way has reached its limits, they say.

2008

8. December

EU complains of different legal developments

For the first time, the EU Council mentions institutional issues and a framework agreement in its conclusions on Switzerland. He notes that there is a growing difference between bilateral law and the development of EU law. It aims to establish a permanent mechanism for more effective adaptation of market access agreements.

2005

. 5 October

Parliament wants to examine framework agreement

In an initiative, Councilor Philipp Stähelin (Thurgau, cvp.) Asks the Federal Council to draw up a report on the importance of a framework agreement between Switzerland and the EU. He emphasized the great advantage that individual contracts would be relieved of the rules of procedure. The Federal Council recommends that the Parliament approves it.

2002

18. March

The idea emerges

The framework agreement appears for the first time in a report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Council of States. An institutional solution should make it possible to group all bilateral agreements under one roof. The term used at the time in the Swiss Parliament does not mean the same thing as today.