Press Release: Negotiating mandate for an EU-Switzerland institutional framework agreement

The Council of the European Union on 6 May 2014 at the Economic and Financial Affairs meeting in Brussels adopted a decision authorising the opening of negotiations on an agreement between the EU and Switzerland on an institutional framework governing bilateral relations.

Upon adoption of the mandate, the Council declared that while negotiations on an institutional framework should be launched, the conclusion of these negotiations and of negotiations on any further agreements on Swiss participation in the EU's internal market was subject to a comprehensive assessment of relations between the EU
and Switzerland.
Furthermore, the Council indicated that it expected Switzerland to honour its obligations arising from the agreement on the free movement of persons and its other agreements concluded with the EU, and to ensure the respect of rights of EU citizens acquired under the agreement on the free movement of persons.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Developments following the Swiss referendum on 9th February - statement by European Commissioner László Andor on behalf of European Commission to European Parliament plenary session http://www.europeansources.info/record/statement-developments-following-the-swiss-referendum-on-9th-february-statement-by-european-commissioner-laszlo-andor-on-behalf-of-european-commission-to-european-parliament-plenary-session/

ESO: Background information: The Court of Justice’s social security ruling could strengthen the EU’s position in negotiations with Switzerland over free movement http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-court-of-justices-social-security-ruling-could-strengthen-the-eus-position-in-negotiations-with-switzerland-over-free-movement/

ESO: Background information: Blog: Switzerland and the EU: Many a Slip Between Swiss Cup and Lip http://www.europeansources.info/record/blog-switzerland-and-the-eu-many-a-slip-between-swiss-cup-and-lip/

ESO: Background information: Switzerland backtracks on immigration curbs http://www.europeansources.info/record/switzerland-backtracks-on-immigration-curbs/

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