In a statement on Saturday, the Swiss government said “technical discussions” between the two sides would be intensified but that they would not meet again until September 19.
“Concerning the relationship between the EU and Switzerland, I can say that I expected no more results. The EU will never give us more rights than EU states have. We will find now a unilateral way and hope that this way will be expected,” Schneider-Schneiter, who is vice-chair of the National Council's Foreign Affairs Committee, stated.
According to the Swiss Constitution, the country has until next February to implement a 2014 initiative, approved by a national referendum, to put some form of limits on immigration from EU states. This goes against the European Union’s principle of free movement of people in the common market, to which Switzerland adheres. The country’s set of bilateral agreements with the bloc, including the access to EU-single market, might be jeopardized if the initiative is implemented.
“It is impossible to implement the Initiative without risking the Bilaterals,” Schneider-Schneiter admitted.
Currently, the Swiss parliament is holding a discussion on a unilateral solution, although in a recent interview for the Tages Anzeiger newspaper, the president said that implementing immigration curbs unilaterally “must remain a last resort.”
The long-lasting negotiations between Brussels and Bern were put on hold earlier this year because of the United Kingdom's referendum on its EU membership, with EU officials asking Switzerland to wait until the Brexit issue had been clarified.
