Principles and reality. In the course of relations between the European Union and Switzerland certain aspects should be taken into account that until now have remained in the shadows. The events and situation should also be assessed more calmly. The initial tension and liveliness of certain heated positions were understandable, not to say justified because, on the one hand, the Swiss authorities had the duty of following up on the result of the referendum that leads to a limit on EU citizens' access to Swiss territory and, on the other, the EU had the duty of responding by explicitly asserting that challenging the free movement of persons between the two parties renders all aspects of EU-Swiss cooperation null and void. It was stalemate - Bern stated that it was preparing to limit immigration, while the Community authorities had the duty of recalling that the arrangements governing the reciprocal relations constitute a whole. Neither of the two parties can amend as it wants an aspect that doesn't suit it.
What is now needed is to put the purely legal aspects of the quarrel to one side and to analyse the situation on the ground.
Swiss caution. In Switzerland, we are well aware that the majority that spoke out for limiting the free entry of EU citizens to Switzerland was minimal - just 50.3% of voters. What is more, it's well known that those promoting an initiative are always more involved in taking part in the vote. In fact, it is reasonable to assume that a true majority in favour of the restrictions does not exist. Of course, the authorities have to respect the official result of the referendum - but calmly and cautiously.
Bern has, moreover, underlined that nothing is changing for the moment. The procedures in force and the timetable must be followed. The measures for implementing the result of the referendum will be developed by the government by July. The draft implementation legislation will only come into existence at the end of the year. It will then be submitted to the parliament, which will take the time it needs to reflect on it. The federal assembly will, of course, be able to assess the repercussions of the challenge announced explicitly by Brussels - a challenge to all aspects of the current arrangements that govern relations between Switzerland and the EU - because it is the whole package of current relations that risk splitting apart.
Cooperation in all areas. Everyone knows to what extent the Swiss economy and its functioning are linked to cooperation with the EU. The free movement of persons is not an autonomous aspect - it is one element of a package of arrangements covering, in particular, trade in agriculture, research, air and rail communications, calls for tender, mutual recognition of certificates of conformity, and other significant aspects of economic relations. While the arrangements on the free movement of persons are challenged by one party, without the consensus of the other, it is the whole package of economic relations that splits asunder, leading to inevitable political repercussions.
In these relations, arrangements concerning the world of finance are doubtless important, but the current collaboration covers a very vast range of other aspects - those that directly interest workers, sometimes very specialised workers, are in prime position. I will return to this.
What is more, the EU and Switzerland cannot ignore their cooperation on safeguarding and protecting the natural environment, which involves the respect of agricultural areas by avoiding the excessive growth of construction and by road traffic control. A certain degree of cooperation is necessary.
The extremely important area of energy has until now remained out of the limelight but it cannot be ignored because a considerable share of the energy imported to Italy is produced in Switzerland - or certainly transits through Switzerland when it comes from France. In the area of energy too, then, cooperation between Bern and Brussels must be safeguarded and organised.
Two conclusions. In summing up, two conclusions can be drawn - (1) the requirement to cooperate is mutual. It must not be forgotten that over a million EU citizens live in Switzerland, that 230,000 work there but live in the EU, and that 430,000 Swiss nationals live in the EU; (2) Switzerland can't claim to adopt key decisions of common interest singlehandedly.
(FR/transl.fl)