Brussels, 23/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - The negotiations between Switzerland and the EU for an institutional agreement began in Bern on Thursday 22 May, stated the Swiss authorities in a press release. “The conclusion of an institutional agreement will enable account to be taken of the intensity of the bilateral relations between Switzerland and the EU. In the eyes of the Federal Council, the bilateral path is the best European policy instrument to enable Switzerland to defend its interests with regard to the EU, [which is] by far its main trading partner” (our translation). The institutional issues concern agreements on reciprocal market access and focus on four areas - developing the entitlement of the agreements, interpreting them, monitoring their application and settling disputes. The objective is that, in the common legal space created by the bilateral agreements, the rules should be interpreted and applied in the most homogenous way possible. As soon as the negotiations on the institutional issues are complete, the Federal Council will consult the external policy committees on them, as well the parties, cantons and economic and social partners. The Swiss Parliament and people will then be called on to vote. (SP)