It is the bronze pillars of our relations with Europe, perhaps the only bilateral contract that has itself in the SVP only supporters of the free trade agreement Switzerland-lock in 1972 with the then European economic community (EEC). The EEC has become the EU, the free trade agreement is still alive and is considered by all sides as vital for the country. It is the Swiss industry secures duty-free access to the European market and regulates the cross-border trade with food.
And according to the declared will of the policy of the old agreement shall survive the re-negotiated institutional framework agreement, without prejudice to. The EU called for initially, it is also the framework agreement. “Switzerland has rejected this claim, however right from the start”, announces, with obvious Pride, of the Federal Council in its explanations. The EU gave in at the end. Even so, if Switzerland agreed to the framework agreement: The free trade agreement would be exempted and would thus be deprived of the influence of European politicians and judges.
This official interpretation is questioned, since only recently, but now. In particular, the conference of cantonal governments (KDK) to report serious concerns. From the published text reads that the EU could be accessed by a judge in the future on areas that are regulated by the free trade agreement. And that such access could have far-reaching consequences: for example, the end of today’s regional policy, with the poorer parts of the country be promoted.
aid in Europe
frowned upon It, the framework agreement is primarily for yourself, the are to the of concerns. The KDK locates the danger in a kind of additional agreement, which is attached to the framework agreement. The EU and Switzerland declare their common intention to talk about a “modernization” of the free trade agreement. Such a revised trade agreement, the power of the Federal Council clearly, would provide the framework agreement and the newly created arbitration court. More still: The supplementary agreement explicitly provides for the possibility to bring a dispute, based on the 1972 Treaty, before the court of arbitration.
The KDK is shown thereat “troubled”, as Secretary-General Roland Mayer says. The cantons of fear, in particular, that the EU could in this way, tax relief for companies. This Instrument is now often used to entice entrepreneurs in remote Valleys. In the free trade agreement this Form of state aid is dealt with only casually, in the EU it is frowned upon, however. The new court of arbitration would be occupied on a parity basis, would have to adhere to the case law of the EU. If it talks to the aid of a power word, were the cantons under pressure. “We might be able to use our current regional policy to continue”, says Roland Mayer.
Many of the affected areas
KDK-President Benedikt Würth also holds the tourism, the electricity sector and other public Service areas affected, as he explained yesterday to Radio SRF. The radio station presented the concerns of the cantons already as a fact. “Now it turns out: The possibilities of intervention of the EU, went much further”, it says in the post about the framework agreement.
The radio report “not true”, however, the Department of foreign Affairs of the Federal Council, Ignazio Casiss (FDP) on request. It refers to the fact that the free trade agreement of 1972, the case expressly provided for under the framework agreement. A dispute over state aid could only be brought before the new court of arbitration, if both the EU and Switzerland agreed in it.
Want to be called: The Switzerland would have to first give their consent before the EU could prohibit a judge from the cantonal tax regime. She would refuse, would not the event of a dispute, even before the arbitral Tribunal. He would remain in the so-called Joint Committee, where the problems with the EU politically to be addressed.
The question is then: in Switzerland, if the EU exerts on you political pressure to the court of arbitration to turn on?
(editing Tamedia)
Created: 22.01.2019, 22:49 PM
