The
Swiss Federal Council has adopted draft terms of reference for
negotiations on a bilateral basis with member countries of the
European Union (EU) on institutional matters, such as trade and tax
agreements.
In
June 2012, the Federal Council instructed the Federal Department of
Foreign Affairs to draw up draft terms of reference for negotiations
with the European Union on such, and the Federal Council has now sent
that draft to the Foreign Affairs Committees and the cantons, for
consultation.
It
was said that the bilateral approach "remains the best
instrument of European policy Switzerland has at its disposal to
defend its interests with respect to the EU," which continues to
be Switzerland's most important trading partner by far. Based on a
matrix of around 20 or so main bilateral agreements and about 100
other sectoral agreements, it ensures access for Swiss business to
the single European market.
The
Council confirmed that, "in order to preserve what Switzerland
has gained, the bilateral approach must be renewed, taking care to
safeguard Swiss independence and prosperity, as well as ensuring
access to the market." Discussions at the national level and
with Switzerland's European partners have enabled the country to
outline a number of technical and legal solutions.
In
the opinion of the Council, the bilateral approach preserves
Switzerland's autonomy as a non-EU member state, and does not entail
automatic adoption of the acquis communautaire – the accumulated
legislation, legal acts and court decisions which constitute the
cumulative body of EU law. The incorporation of any new acquis in a
bilateral agreement must be decided by Switzerland in full accordance
with its domestic procedures.
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