EU-Swiss relations like chess game says EP's delegation head (Diana Wallis MEP)

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

EU-Swiss relations like chess game says EP's delegation head

June 26, 2007 5:00 PM

Diana Wallis MEP, President of the EP-Swiss delegation with Eugene David MP

Reflecting on two days of discussions with parliamentary colleagues from Switzerland, Diana Wallis MEP, President of the European Parliament's delegation to Switzerland, said EU-Swiss relations are like a chess game.

A meeting of parliamentarians from both EU and Swiss sides met in Bad Ragaz 25-26 June to discuss several issues of common interest, such as an extension of the Schengen Agreement to include Bulgaria and Romania and legislation pertaining to assisted suicides.

Perhaps the most significant issue was that of the cantonal corporate tax regimes which are the source of strong criticism from the EU Commission at present; criticism which in turn causes a good deal of irritation in Switzerland.

Diana Wallis said:

"Switzerland remains one of the EU's largest trading partners and generally Swiss-EU relations are in fairly good health. However the situation is akin to a game of chess where moves are thought out over a long period of time, as EU policy in Switzerland is often tied to referendums. So nothing in terms of the relationship moves at a fast rate!"