Switzerland ends bid to join European Economic Area – after 24 years



BERN: -- A week ahead of the UK referendum on EU membership, has Switzerland done some clarification of its own relationship with Europe.

Never an EU member state, Switzerland has nonetheless officially withdrawn its long dormant application to join the European Economic Area (EEA), the precursor to the European Single Market.

The Swiss upper house of parliament voted on Wednesday to cancel the process that started in 1992.

It follows an earlier decision of the lower house.

The next step, the Swiss foreign minister told local media, will be to officially inform Brussels that the application is dead.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-06-17

I have a feeling that a new free trade zone will be popping up if the UK exits the EU and joins together with a bunch of other countries.

Not that they would admit it, but I bet it was a kick in the preverbals for Junker and his cronies Just think of how much money they have lost

Well done the Swiss,

Great decision.

Now let's see who else has the balls to tell the EU to ram it.

And for the EU to withdraw all special trade and visa privileges at the same time.

..of course.....why go a step down....

Wise move, if Britain votes to leave EU the EU will be on its last legs.

It would be interesting to know the reasons behind the Swiss withdrawal.

But of course, we'd never find out the true reasons.

Wise move, if Britain votes to leave EU the EU will be on its last legs.

No, then GB will be on it's last Legs.....EU do not care.

Wise move, if Britain votes to leave EU the EU will be on its last legs.

No, then GB will be on it's last Legs.....EU do not care.

Not at all Britain will prosper, have you any idea how much Britain puts into the EU, we will also have close control of our own boarders.

The EU are crapping it about Britain pulling out, and saying the EU does not care why are they trying every trick in the book to keep Britain in?.

It would be interesting to know the reasons behind the Swiss withdrawal.

But of course, we'd never find out the true reasons.

They filed it 1992 and still havent got it. I guess they didnt meet some rules and are simply telling the EU to put it where it belongs after so long time.

Well done the Swiss,

Great decision.

Now let's see who else has the balls to tell the EU to ram it.

its only the goverment which has decided, voting people will not accept it........so no hurray (swiss goverment has in these times to many rightwingers!!!SVP)

It would be interesting to know the reasons behind the Swiss withdrawal.

But of course, we'd never find out the true reasons.

They filed it 1992 and still havent got it. I guess they didnt meet some rules and are simply telling the EU to put it where it belongs after so long time.

with all the consequences. they don't even care. reasons are political and the politics of switzerland today is like 40 years ago. afraid of russia, ass leaking the american capitalists which goes down the toilet now.

Well done the Swiss,

Great decision.

Now let's see who else has the balls to tell the EU to ram it.

The EU (European Union) is not the same as the European Economic Area (EEA), therefore the Swiss have not told the EU to ram it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Economic_Area

Edited June 19, 201610 yr by Puccini

Not that they would admit it, but I bet it was a kick in the preverbals for Junker and his cronies Just think of how much money they have lost

How does Junker (sic), with whom you probably mean Jean-Claude Juncker, the current President of the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union (EU), enter into this picture?

A fine example for the UK to follow.

A fine example for the UK to follow.

So for access to the EU common market the Swiss have signed up for adherence to EU law on a range of areas....with no ability to contribute to their formation.

Oh yeah, they still have free movement of labour with the EU.

There are numerous aspects of the EU's behavior that have been suspect, coercive, deceptive, and opaque for a long while. There's a pile on phenomena that's typical when a tyrant or bully is weakened. I think anything the EU does now- anything- immigration, right wing suppression, islamophilia, media manipulation, Turkey, NATO, etc...will be seen through the lens of 'having no clothes.'

It's not just valid to protest the EU it may well be fashionable.

Not that they would admit it, but I bet it was a kick in the preverbals for Junker and his cronies Just think of how much money they have lost

How does Junker (sic), with whom you probably mean Jean-Claude Juncker, the current President of the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union (EU), enter into this picture?

One less country for him to dictate to and if you read the end of the reply it clearly states about them loosing a lot of money...billions.

With the exception of Puccini, it is obvious that those who have posted in this topic are completely ignorant of the difference between the EEA and the EU.

Even the member who has attempted to show he is an expert on the matter!

The EEA consists of all 28 EU member states and three of the four EFTA states; Switzerland is a member of EFTA, but not the EEA.

Switzerland does have a number of bilateral agreements with the EU; including being signed up to the freedom of movement treaty; which is an EEA treaty anyway, not an EU one.

As a member of EFTA, Switzerland also participates in the EU's free market.

This decision will have absolutely zero effect on Switzerland's relationship with both the EU and the EEA.

Swiss exports have been hit badly. All their products are costing a fortune now

Edited June 20, 201610 yr by Cook my sock

A fine example for the UK to follow.

Yeah and what do you tell all Scottish people now since they have voted to stick

with good old Britain maybe they have a different opinion