Brussels, 05/06/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission approved the principal of a joint EU/Switzerland declaration on trade in electricity. Mrs. Loyola de Palacio, Mr. Lamy and Mr. Patten were entrusted with drafting it. If the Council approves it, the draft will then be submitted for approval to the mixed EU/Switzerland Committee.
The Commission bases its position on the realisation that liberalisation of electricity markets would lead to an increase in trade with Switzerland, as electricity is merchandise, under the EU/Switzerland free trade agreement. Thus Switzerland will play a growing role both as buyer and seller and in particular as a transit country. It is important that the transactions take place in conditions of fair competition and equivalent environmental standards. The declaration being considered would spell out the conditions necessary for such conditions to be respected.