"Swiss referendum result naturally disappointing"

12.00.00am GMT Tue 6th Mar 2001

Liberal Democrat MEP and Vice-President of the EU Switzerland delegation said she was "naturally disappointed" by the result of the Swiss referendum on EU membership, the results of which were announced on Sunday evening.

The referendum was called by those wishing to see an immediate start to the negotiations for Swiss membership of the EU, but was defeated by a proportion of 3:1.

Diana Wallis MEP said:

"Naturally I am disappointed by the result, as I am one who would welcome Swiss membership of the EU. However it was not in the least unexpected given the Swiss government's opposition to the motion.

"The Swiss government remains positive about ultimate EU membership but rejected the call as laid out in the motion to start immediate accession negotiations. This doesn't mean the Swiss have given up on the EU, merely that any negotiations for joining will be later rather than sooner.

"After all, the Swiss are not big joiners of International Organisations being one of just a few countries who never joined the United Nations."