Press Release: EU-Switzerland: Green light for start of negotiations in four new areas

The Council authorised the European Commission on 17 June 2002 to start negotiations with Switzerland in four new areas. The areas for which authorisations have been adopted are: association to the Schengen agreement; criteria and mechanisms for determining which state is responsible for considering asylum applications; the establishment of a free trade agreement on services; and a bilateral agreement in the audiovisual field.