Swiss Europe Report 2006 'thorough but disappointing' (Diana Wallis MEP)

Diana Wallis MEP <info@dianawallismep.org.uk>

Swiss Europe Report 2006 'thorough but disappointing'

July 6, 2006 10:00 AM

Commenting on the 'Rapport Europe 2006' issued by the Swiss Federal Council the President of the European Parliament's delegation to Switzerland, Diana Wallis MEP said:

"The report, as one would expect, sets out a thorough analysis of the historical and current situation between the EU and Switzerland but declines to point a way forward.

"Even as a discussion document it maybe misleading, as many of the options examined between the bilaterals and full membership are at best unlikely and probably are not on offer at all from the EU side. For example, the idea of an EEAplus is probably illusory, as any country that is ready for EEA membership also has to be ready for EU membership; the economic criteria are the same, and the only difference is that EEA members that are not simultaneously EU members are left with little influence on the EU's decision making processes.

"Arguably Switzerland already has a better deal through the bilaterals than EEA states like Norway and Iceland. As for differentiated membership it is just that, 'membership' from which position member states have come to subsequent differing relationships, but the differentiation it is not on offer as a starting point."

"So it all looks rather like carry on as you are, despite this I do hope the report will generate some new discussion and debate in Switzerland and can only congratulate the Swiss authorities on such an extensive and detailed document. It will be interesting to hear what my parliamentary colleagues from Switzerland have to say in Brussels next week."