Brussels, 16/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - The EU should take inspiration from the Swiss democratic model based on direct citizen participation as extending participation could well facilitate the European integration process, the Swiss foreign minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey, said on Monday 15 November in Brussels where the Swiss Mission was celebrating its 50th anniversary. Europe should not fear following the Swiss example as it is desirable for the whole continent, the minister said. Direct Swiss democracy can, however, run counter to international law. The popular initiative to expel foreigners guilty of criminal offences - to be put to the Swiss people on 28 November - would, if accepted (which is not to be ruled out), create problems with international law as the automatic expulsion of foreigners is not compatible with the agreement between Switzerland and the EU on the free movement of persons, Micheline Calmy-Rey explained. The Swiss Federal Council is, moreover, currently reflecting on ways to best reconcile direct democracy with the country's international obligations. Concrete proposals will be discussed during the course of next year, the minister announced.
Bilateral agreements. Since the no-vote at the Swiss referendum on the country's accession of the European Economic Area (EEA) in 1992, relations between the EU and Bern have been governed by around 120 bilateral agreements and arrangements. The EU, in future, would like these agreements to be automatically adapted to take into account the constant developments in acquis communautaire. This is categorically refused by Switzerland to safeguard its own “freedom of action and sovereignty”, as Calmy-Rey reiterated, saying there is nothing automatic about taking acquis on board. On the other hand, this could be offset by “adequate participation” on the part of the Swiss in developing decisions in areas covered by the agreements. Also, adapting agreements should be decided by common accord and take into account the duration of Swiss legislative procedures.
Future of relations. In July, the Commission and Switzerland decided to create a joint group of experts responsible for exploring the possibility of placing relations on a new institutional basis, for example with a framework agreement or an association agreement. The group should end its “exploratory discussions” by the end of the year and “set out the expectations of all involved”, said Calmy-Rey. She considers that “the bilateral course always has a future if both partner sides are willing to continue along that road”. The bilateral and the sectoral approach might even interest other third countries that wish to strengthen their links with the EU without going as far as EU membership, the minister said. (H.B./transl.jl)