EU to Switzerland: ‘Where are we going with this relationship?’

EUObserver reported that European Union foreign ministers issued a tough-worded warning to Switzerland on the 14 December 2010 that its relationship with the EU is dysfunctional and must be radically changed.

There is no overarching framework for the relationship between the EU and Switzerland. Instead, the two have a series of some 120 sector-by-sector agreements, a situation the EU foreign ministers described as 'unwieldy', 'inconsistent' and 'incoherent'.

• Primary Source

EurActiv, 16.12.10: Switzerland hits back at EU criticism http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/switzerland-hits-back-over-eu-criticism-news-500701

Swissinfo.ch, 14.12.10: EU reprimand will have little impact on Bern http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/EU_reprimand_will_have_little_impact_on_Bern.html?cid=29024162

Swissinfo.ch, 20.12.10: Rightwing raises stakes over future EU relations http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/foreign_affairs/Rightwing_raises_stakes_over_future_EU_relations.html?cid=29070448

EurActiv: Links Dossier: EU-Switzerland relations http://www.euractiv.com/en/global-europe/eu-switzerland-relations-linksdossier-500466

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 14.12.10: Council conclusions on EU relations with EFTA countries http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/118458.pdf

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

Switzerland: Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FEDA): Swiss policy on the European Union http://www.europa.admin.ch/themen/00499/index.html?lang=en

Switzerland: Integration Office FDFA/FDEA: Press Release, 14.12.10: Conclusions of the Council of the EU on relations with Switzerland dated 14/12/10 http://www.europa.admin.ch/index.html?lang=en&download=NHzLpZeg7t,lnp6I0NTU042l2Z6ln1ad1IZn4Z2qZpnO2Yuq2Z6gpJCDdoF3gWym162epYbg2c_JjKbNoKSn6A--

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