Spokesperson Eric Mamer indicated that the new Swiss negotiator on the draft framework agreement with the EU, Livia Leu, first had “contact” with the European Commission and Stéphanie Riso, President Ursula von der Leyen’s [deputy] head of cabinet, on Thursday, 21 January.
Appointed at the end of 2020 to replace Roberto Balzarreti (who had conducted the negotiations on the framework agreement with the Juncker team), the new negotiator has the task of revitalising this framework agreement, which has been held up since the end of 2018 and rejected by some Swiss trade unions and political families. This meeting was described as “the beginning of a process” by the Swiss negotiator and “initial contact” by Eric Mamer.
In principle, both sides should begin working on clarifying the points in the agreement that could not be resolved by the end of 2018 due to reservations on the part of Switzerland, including the resumption of the EU Citizenship Directive and protective measures for workers. Eric Mamer reiterated that the European Commission is waiting for Switzerland to “sign and ratify” the framework agreement. “Our position is well known”, he pointed out.
The European Commission and Switzerland have been discussing this agreement—expected to simplify the relations currently governed by more than a hundred bilateral agreements—since 2013. By the end of 2018, both parties had found middle ground and had notably agreed on an independent arbitration tribunal (see EUROPE 12155/36). (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)