No EU-Swiss agreement during Juncker’s visit / Strict enforcement of initiative rejected

Media reported on 19 September 2016 that talks between the European Commission and Swiss authorities had failed to yield a breakthrough in the impasse between the two sides over immigration.

The negotiations took place between Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker within the context of a gathering to mark the 70th anniversary of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s 'United Europe' speech in Zurich.

Switzerland and the EU have been at loggerheads since 2014 when Swiss voters approved a popular initiative calling for a brake on immigration. This would potentially violate a bilateral agreement that guaranteed the free movement of people between the EU and Switzerland.

The Swiss Parliament sought to avoid a potentially damaging confrontation with the EU on the 22 September 2016 by signalling its support for a watered-down version of immigration restrictions on European Union citizens.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Blocher mulls new initiative to reduce immigration http://www.europeansources.info/record/blocher-mulls-new-initiative-to-reduce-immigration/

Swissinfo.ch, 19.09.16: Juncker Eyes ‘Swiss-Specific’ Immigration Deal Despite Brexit http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/juncker-eyes--swiss-specific--immigration-deal-despite-brexit/42458572

Swissinfo.ch, 19.09.16: Swiss role in flux http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/brexit---switzerland_swiss-role-in-flux/42455448

EurActiv, 19.09.16: [Opinion] Switzerland and EU head – politely – for the rocks http://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/opinion/switzerland-and-eu-head-politely-for-the-rocks/

EUObserver, 20.09.16: EU eyes 'specific' Swiss deal on migrants https://euobserver.com/migration/135159

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: SPEECH/16/3117, 19.09.16: Speech by Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, on the 70th anniversary of Winston Churchill’s Zurich speech http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-16-3117_en.htm

Politico, 19.09.16: EU, Switzerland stuck on immigration http://www.politico.eu/article/eu-switzerland-stuck-on-immigration-free-movement-single-market-europe-migration/

Open Europe: Blog, 21.09.16: Would a Swiss-EU compromise on free movement appeal to Britain? http://openeurope.org.uk/today/blog/swiss-eu-compromise-free-movement/

Swissinfo.ch, 22.09.16: Strict enforcement of initiative rejected http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/immigration-quotas_strict-enforcement-of-initiative-rejected/42464668

EurActiv, 26.09.16: Commission deplores Swiss canton referendum http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/commission-deplores-swiss-canton-referendum/

Euro|Topics: Debates, October 2016: How Brexit affects Switzerland http://www.eurotopics.net/en/168092/how-brexit-affects-switzerland

Swissinfo.ch: Tag: Surrounded by Europe http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/in-depth/surrounded-by-europe

EurActiv, 03.11.16: Merkel: No link between Swiss-EU deal and Brexit talks http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/merkel-no-link-between-swiss-eu-deal-and-brexit-talks/

EurActiv, 29.11.16: Swiss to tackle new EU treaty in 2017 amid right-wing resistance http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/swiss-to-tackle-new-eu-treaty-in-2017-amid-right-wing-resistance/

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