12 Mar 2024
Council adopts mandate for negotiations on future relationship with Switzerland
On 12 March 2024, the Council authorised the Commission to negotiate, on behalf of the EU, a broad package of measures with Switzerland as the basis for future EU-Switzerland relations. It also approved the corresponding directives for the negotiation. The objective stated in the Common Understanding is to finalise negotiations in 2024.
The aim of the negotiations is to modernise and deepen bilateral relations between the EU and Switzerland. It will also ensure a level playing field for competition between respective companies operating within the internal market and guarantee the protection of the rights of EU citizens in Switzerland, including non-discrimination between citizens of different Member States.
The package foresees an agreement allowing for Switzerland’s participation in EU programmes, including Horizon Europe. Meanwhile, transitional arrangements will be place. Under the European Research Council (ERC) calls 2024, legal entities established in Switzerland will have the possibility to apply for ERC grants once the negotiations start. Moreover, the transitional arrangement will be extended to calls under the Horizon Europe work programmes 2025 provided that the association agreement on Union programmes has been initialled. Swiss entities will receive funding once the association takes effect.
The first formal negotiating round will take place in March. Negotiations on the different elements of the package will be conducted in parallel.
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