On Wednesday 21 May in Bern, negotiators from the European Union and Switzerland initialled draft agreements to consolidate and develop the bilateral relations concluded in December (see EUROPE 13550/11), according to a press release.
The agreements that were initialled will extend EU-Swiss cooperation on: - the free movement of persons; - air transport; - the carriage of goods and passengers by rail and road; - mutual recognition in relation to conformity assessment; - trade in agricultural products and food safety; - electricity; - health; - a regular financial contribution to reduce economic and social disparities within the European Union; - conditions for participation in the European Union Agency for Space Programmes.
EU and Swiss negotiators also initialled a protocol on parliamentary cooperation, a joint declaration on the establishment of a high-level dialogue on the broad bilateral package and the possible further development of bilateral relations, and a joint declaration on the level of partnership and cooperation between the end of 2024 and the entry into force of the new package.
The European Commission will submit the draft decisions to the Council of the EU and the European Parliament in June. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)