Brussels, 02/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 2 December, the European Commission stated its opposition to the automatic expulsion of foreigners from Switzerland, following the result of Sunday's referendum. Speaking after a meeting of EU home affairs ministers attended by a Swiss minister, Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström stated categorically that decisions should not be automatic. “Membership of the Schengen area brings with it obligations which Switzerland has to uphold. Any legislation will have to be in line with Schengen commitments and international obligations as a whole,” said Belgian Secretary of State for Migration Policy and Asylum Melchior Wathelet. Swiss Justice and Police Councillor Simonetta Sommaruja sought to calm fears over freedom of movement agreements with the EU: “I gave my personal assurance that a solution will be found which will allow us both to meet our constitutional obligations and our international obligations”. In her view, adoption of the initiative from the populist UDC party, which proposes automatic expulsion for foreigners found guilty of criminal offences, “will have no immediate impact on freedom of movement”. She said that Switzerland would seek to apply this proposal, “while at the same time avoiding contradictions” with its international obligations. “We will investigate possibilities of interpretation, but it will not be easy,” she acknowledged. A working group will bring forward proposals for the government which will submit them to parliament for decision, Sommaruja said, without giving any indication of timescale. (B.C./transl.rt)