Ignazio Cassis and the European Commissioner Maros Sefcovic set the methods of cooperation between Switzerland and the EU for the period to the desired entry into force of the bilateral agreements. They signed a joint declaration in this direction.
The result of the negotiations between Bern and Brussels is for the two parts of the “win-win,” the federal adviser in the press at the European Commission in Brussels was said on Tuesday. The three -page document signed Tuesday must constitute a constructive base for the next steps.
Maros Sefcovic, for his part, spoke of an “new step in important step”. For the European Commissioner for Trade, it is important to take a step towards the other and not to disperse, in particular in these periods full of economic and geopolitical challenges.
Seven domains
The declaration aims to improve cooperation in seven areas. The chief of Swiss diplomacy cited research, electricity, health, transport, financial dialogue and recognition of compliance assessments (ARM). The last point aims to ensure that the two parties support the culmination of the ratification process while consolidating their bilateral relations.
In terms of research, the two partners plan to sign an agreement in November this year. This text should have a retroactive effect on January 1, 2025 and allow the access of Swiss researchers to tenders for Horizon Europe and Euratom programs.
Berne and Brussels will have to settle their collaboration for a safe and flaw exploitation of electrical networks. In the health field, Switzerland should be able to participate in technical level in EU instruments.
In terms of land transport, transitional measures have been extended for the year 2025, in order to maintain fluid rail traffic between Switzerland and the EU.
No expiration date
The agreement concerning ARMs, an important area for the Swiss export industry, will be updated only after the entry of vigor of the entire package. All the problems could not be resolved in the transition phase, noted Ignazio Cassis.
The joint declaration sets the methods of cooperation between Switzerland and the European Union for the period from December 20, 2024 to the entry into force of the Swiss-EU package. Transitional measures have no expiration date, said Maros Sefcovic, who has read extracts from the text.
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