Switzerland backtracks on immigration curbs

It was announced on the 30 April 2014 by the Swiss Federal Council that it wished to re-launch negotiations and discussions on Switzerland’s participation in framework EU programmes and market access. To that end it had approved a declaration envisaging a number of measures. These included a solution to the admission under quotas of Croatian citizens to the Swiss labour market. In addition, the Federal Council confirmed the enlargement contribution for Croatia.

The European Commission welcomed the Swiss move. However, a spokeswoman for Commission president, José Manuel Barroso, said it was a 'unilateral arrangement and not a long-term solution', according to the Swiss news agency.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Switzerland to table immigration quota law by year end / Switzerland gets first penalty for immigration vote http://www.europeansources.info/record/switzerland-to-table-immigration-quota-law-by-year-end-switzerland-gets-first-penalty-for-immigration-vote/

Switzerland: Federal Council, 30.04.14: The Federal Council takes steps to re-launch discussions with the EU on Switzerland’s participation in EU programmes and market access https://www.news.admin.ch/message/index.html?lang=en&msg-id=52804

Swissinfo.ch, 30.04.14: Swiss cabinet admits Croats to labour marketSwiss cabinet admits Croats to labour market http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/Swiss_cabinet_admits_Croats_to_labour_market.html?cid=38488644

EEAS: EU-Switzerland relations http://eeas.europa.eu/switzerland/index_en.htm

The Local.ch, 30.04.14: Swiss-Croatia deal only 'temporary solution': EU http://www.thelocal.ch/20140430/swiss-deal-with-croatia-only-temporary-solution

BBC News, 03.05.14: Swiss migration quotas: Rift with EU grows http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27244959

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