Latest News

EU Democracy Shield aims to protect democratic integrity

EU Democracy Shield aims to protect democratic integrity EU Democracy Shield aims to protect democratic integrity
  The European Parliament has taken a significant step toward safeguarding democracy with the establishment of the European Democracy Shield...
Read More...

Young Europeans losing faith in democracy

Young Europeans losing faith in democracy Young Europeans losing faith in democracy
  Recent findings from a comprehensive survey conducted by the YouGov institute for the Tui Foundation reveal a concerning trend among...
Read More...

European Parliament condemns human rights violations in Georgia, Iran, and Mali

European Parliament condemns human rights violations in Georgia, Iran, and Mali European Parliament condemns human rights violations in Georgia, Iran, and Mali
  On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted three resolutions addressing serious human rights abuses in Georgia, Iran, and Mali. The...
Read More...

Denmark to champion Ukraine’s EU bid during Council presidency

Denmark to champion Ukraine’s EU bid during Council presidency Denmark to champion Ukraine’s EU bid during Council presidency
  Denmark has pledged to push forward Ukraine’s EU membership efforts when it assumes the presidency of the European Council on July...
Read More...

EU and Switzerland take major step toward modernised partnership

EU and Switzerland take major step toward modernised partnership EU and Switzerland take major step toward modernised partnership
  The European Commission has advanced a key initiative to renew and deepen ties with Switzerland, proposing that the Council approve a...
Read More...

EYE2025: thousands of young people to celebrate democracy in Strasbourg

EYE2025: thousands of young people to celebrate democracy in Strasbourg EYE2025: thousands of young people to celebrate democracy in Strasbourg
  On 13 and 14 June, around 8,500 young people aged 16 to 30 from across the globe will gather at the European Parliament in Strasbourg...
Read More...

EU approves Bulgaria’s eurozone membership for 2026

EU approves Bulgaria’s eurozone membership for 2026 EU approves Bulgaria’s eurozone membership for 2026
  Brussels has officially greenlit Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone, with the country set to adopt the euro on 1 January 2026. The...
Read More...

What are Denmark’s goals for Its upcoming EU presidency?

What are Denmark’s goals for Its upcoming EU presidency? What are Denmark’s goals for Its upcoming EU presidency?
  As Denmark prepares to assume the rotating presidency of the EU Council on July 1st, the country is setting its sights on a results-driven...
Read More...

New EU strategy for a secure, prosperous, and resilient Black Sea region 

New EU strategy for a secure, prosperous, and resilient Black Sea region  New EU strategy for a secure, prosperous, and resilient Black Sea region 
  The European Union has unveiled a new strategy aimed at fostering stability, security, and prosperity in the Black Sea region. This initiative...
Read More...

Must Read

Most Popular Stories

VIDEO AND audio news:

Features, views, analysis

business

Latest News

EU Democracy Shield aims to protect democratic integrity

EU Democracy Shield aims to protect democratic integrity EU Democracy Shield aims to protect democratic integrity
  The European Parliament has taken a significant step toward safeguarding democracy with the establishment of the European Democracy Shield...
Read More...

Young Europeans losing faith in democracy

Young Europeans losing faith in democracy Young Europeans losing faith in democracy
  Recent findings from a comprehensive survey conducted by the YouGov institute for the Tui Foundation reveal a concerning trend among...
Read More...

European Parliament condemns human rights violations in Georgia, Iran, and Mali

European Parliament condemns human rights violations in Georgia, Iran, and Mali European Parliament condemns human rights violations in Georgia, Iran, and Mali
  On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted three resolutions addressing serious human rights abuses in Georgia, Iran, and Mali. The...
Read More...

Denmark to champion Ukraine’s EU bid during Council presidency

Denmark to champion Ukraine’s EU bid during Council presidency Denmark to champion Ukraine’s EU bid during Council presidency
  Denmark has pledged to push forward Ukraine’s EU membership efforts when it assumes the presidency of the European Council on July...
Read More...

EU and Switzerland take major step toward modernised partnership

EU and Switzerland take major step toward modernised partnership EU and Switzerland take major step toward modernised partnership
  The European Commission has advanced a key initiative to renew and deepen ties with Switzerland, proposing that the Council approve a...
Read More...

EYE2025: thousands of young people to celebrate democracy in Strasbourg

EYE2025: thousands of young people to celebrate democracy in Strasbourg EYE2025: thousands of young people to celebrate democracy in Strasbourg
  On 13 and 14 June, around 8,500 young people aged 16 to 30 from across the globe will gather at the European Parliament in Strasbourg...
Read More...

EU approves Bulgaria’s eurozone membership for 2026

EU approves Bulgaria’s eurozone membership for 2026 EU approves Bulgaria’s eurozone membership for 2026
  Brussels has officially greenlit Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone, with the country set to adopt the euro on 1 January 2026. The...
Read More...

What are Denmark’s goals for Its upcoming EU presidency?

What are Denmark’s goals for Its upcoming EU presidency? What are Denmark’s goals for Its upcoming EU presidency?
  As Denmark prepares to assume the rotating presidency of the EU Council on July 1st, the country is setting its sights on a results-driven...
Read More...

New EU strategy for a secure, prosperous, and resilient Black Sea region 

New EU strategy for a secure, prosperous, and resilient Black Sea region  New EU strategy for a secure, prosperous, and resilient Black Sea region 
  The European Union has unveiled a new strategy aimed at fostering stability, security, and prosperity in the Black Sea region. This initiative...
Read More...

Must Read

Most Popular Stories

 

Planned talks between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) to rebuild their relationship have been postponed until the end of October, following a

request from the Swiss government after the federal elections.

Since March 2022, Switzerland has been engaged in exploratory talks with the EU with the aim of reestablishing long-term ties. The government had previously announced that the key parameters for a negotiating mandate would be finalized by the end of June 2023.

The exploratory talks were expected to conclude at this point, as confirmed by Livia Leu, Switzerland's chief negotiator with the EU, after her meeting with the European Commission in Brussels. However, Swiss public radio RTS reports that Switzerland has now requested a delay until the end of October, after the federal elections, to conclude the current discussion phase. The European Commission has acknowledged this request from Switzerland.

Following her meeting in Brussels, Leu expressed a positive assessment of the current state of relations, stating that they are at a significantly different stage compared to a year ago. She added that a "relationship of trust" has been reestablished with the EU.

The consolidation of EU-Swiss ties has been a contentious issue since the Swiss government's decision in May 2021 to abandon talks on an umbrella accord that aimed to complement over 120 bilateral agreements with the EU. Disagreements on salary protection, state aid rules, and access for EU citizens to Swiss social security benefits were cited as the reasons for the decision. Talks have been ongoing since then to rebuild the relationship.

There are still several points that need to be clarified, according to Leu, particularly three new agreements covering electricity, health, and food safety. Progress has been made on state aid and immigration issues.

Currently, Bern and Brussels are discussing a negotiating package that includes institutional matters, new agreements, and the regulation of Switzerland's participation in EU programs such as the Horizon Europe research funding scheme and cohesion payments.

Last year, Bern proposed a new approach to the talks, focusing on updating individual sectoral agreements rather than pursuing an overarching treaty. The EU has expressed openness to this sectoral approach, but with the condition that all issues are resolved.

Livia Leu, who has been leading the talks with the EU since autumn 2020, will step down as Swiss state secretary at the end of August and will subsequently become the Swiss ambassador to Germany as per her request. A recent report suggests that Leu saw no possibility of reestablishing relations with the EU without making significant concessions, which led to the breakdown of the institutional framework agreement three years ago. Photo by Elwood j blues, Wikimedia commons.

deneme