Switzerland reconsiders immigration policy

Although Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, its relationship with the 27-nation bloc remains of paramount importance. A vote to re-introduce immigration quotas for EU citizens in February 2014 raised tensions and placed the future of Swiss-EU relations in question.

During the summer of 2014 Switzerland continued to seek a balanced solution to the issues of immigration and free movement.

Switzerland's President Didier Burkhalter said on the 31 July 2014 that there would have to be another vote in Switzerland on their relationship with the European Union, probably in 2016 or 2017.

• Primary Source

Swissinfo.ch, 31.07.14: Where does Switzerland stand? http://origin.swissinfo.ch/eng/where-does-switzerland-stand-/40531352

EEAS: Switzerland http://www.eeas.europa.eu/switzerland/index_en.htm

Swissinfo.ch, 22.07.14: ‘Switzerland is already a part of Europe’ http://origin.swissinfo.ch/eng/-switzerland-is-already-a-part-of-europe-/40514064

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

ESO: Background information: EU immigration into Switzerland hit record high before voter backlash http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-immigration-into-switzerland-hit-record-high-before-voter-backlash/

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/

EurActiv, 31.07.14:EU relations to be put to Swiss voters again, president says http://www.euractiv.com/sections/social-europe-jobs/eu-relations-be-put-swiss-voters-again-president-says-303845

Blog: Open Europe, 31.07.14: EU referendum to be held in 2016 or 2017...No, not that one! http://openeuropeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/eu-referendum-to-be-held-in-2016-or.html

Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 30.10.14: London and Bern not really united on immigration (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE152812-London-and-Bern-not-really-united-on-immigration

Swissinfo.ch, 05.08.14: Switzerland ‘heading for a breach of contract with EU’ http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerland--heading-for-a-breach-of-contract-with-eu-/40538194

Swissinfo.ch, 19.10.14: Switzerland and Brussels make progress in negotiations http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerland-and-brussels-make-progress-in-negotiations/41068150

Swissinfo.ch, 08.10.14: Cabinet outlines mandate for EU negotiations http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/cabinet-outlines-mandate-for-eu-negotiations/41047392

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