Existing agreements governing Switzerland’s access to the EU’s single market have been updated and several new elements have been added, such as on food safety, health and electricity. The deal will allow Switzerland to participate in several EU research programs, including Horizon Europe, and another part of the agreement will cover Bern’s participation in the EU’s Space Agency.
As of Jan. 1, Brussels will set up transitional guidelines allowing Swiss applicants immediate access to the EU’s research programs, von der Leyen told reporters.
The Alpine country will also have to pay €375 million annually into the EU budget.
The two sides started negotiating a landmark partnership agreement in 2014, with a few hiccups along the way, including when Switzerland walked out of talks because of issues related to freedom of movement and state aid.
Now that the talks are concluded, a lengthy process to the ratification kicks off. The Commission will legally check and translate the text into all EU languages, before it is sent to the Council and the Parliament.
On the Swiss side, the deal will then still need to be approved by the Swiss parliament and by referendum, expected in 2028.
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Publish date : 2024-12-20 08:40:00
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The post EU, Switzerland seal talks on modernized deal – POLITICO first appeared on Love Europe.
Author : love-europe
Publish date : 2024-12-22 00:34:50
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