Brussels, 26/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey agreed to launch talks aimed at defining the necessary negotiating briefs for discussions with a view to a framework agreement between the EU and the Swiss Confederation. In a few weeks from now, “we shall hold informal talks” to determine the elements to be taken up in the negotiating briefs with a view to an umbrella agreement over all bilateral EU-Switzerland agreements, Ms Ferrero-Waldner said after their meeting on Thursday 26 February. “A framework agreement would give greater visibility in relations with Switzerland”, the commissioner went on to say, hoping that these new discussions on procedure would allow a solution to be found on a dossier that is sensitive for Swiss sovereignty.
The two women also spoke of the tax dispute between the EU and Switzerland that began in May 2007 concerning cantonal tax relief granted to certain types of companies. Swiss proposals presented last December by Federal Councillor Hans-Rudolf Merz “are along the right lines”, Ms Ferrero-Waldner stressed, although she felt they were still insufficient. Ms Calmy-Rey informed the commissioner of her country's participation in the European mission against piracy off the coast of Somalia. A decision along these lines had been taken by the Swiss Federal Council the day before, assigning 30 military to the Swiss contribution to Operation Atalanta. (A.B./transl.jl)