will be staged During the Brexit Drama in London, in pitch, in Bern, in a discreet backroom diplomacy. In silence, the Swiss diplomats have negotiated with the government of Theresa May, a new trade agreement, which was approved by the Federal Council now. Thus, Switzerland is in accordance with the EEA States – the first country that achieved with the United Kingdom an agreement for the time after the exit from the EU.
In Bern the negotiations ran under the title “Mind the Gap”. The creative Name, as well as the loudspeaker to warn by saying in the British subways in front of the gap-the “Gap” – between the platform and cars, wants to preserve the Federal Council, the Swiss economy from crashing after the Brexit with the UK in a Contracting state. The “Cap”-a Slogan the former EU-chief negotiator, Henri Gétaz, and the former EDA chief of staff, Damien Cottier invented.
The Plan is good for both of these scenarios
For the Swiss economy, the stakes are high: The United Kingdom is the sixth-largest trading partner of Switzerland, behind Germany, the USA, China, France, and Italy, but ahead of Austria. The trading volume amounted to 17.5 billion Swiss francs per year. Thousands of Swiss jobs depend on trade with the United Kingdom. Today, this is regulated by the bilateral agreements with the EU. Because these are no longer after the Brexit for the UK is valid, you now need to be replaced by inter-state agreements.
the agreement Essentially reproduces the content of a number of bilateral agreements with the EU, specifically the free trade agreement of 1972, the agreement on Agriculture or the agreement on technical barriers to trade. Yet the text of the agreement is secret. In the Federal house, it means that you should not publish it yet, because London before leaving the EU at all should not negotiate with third States. Accordingly, Switzerland has not negotiated officially with London, but merely conducted a “dialogue”. Despite this camouflage, a fixfertiger agreement text is now on the table. According to information of the Federal Council, it is designed so that it is good for both scenarios: for the case that the British Parliament ratified the highly controversial exit agreement as well as for the case, that it is on 29. March to chaotic to exit the EU.
Deal or No Deal
In the case of an orderly exit, the new agreement between Bern and London only after the between Brussels and London agreed Transition period, i.e. at the earliest at the beginning of 2021. In the No-Deal scenario, the Switzerland-UK agreement, by contrast, is already 29. March apply. For a proper ratification procedure in the Federal Parliament, the time is much too short. That is why the Federal Council wants to apply the agreement provisionally before the parliamentary debate. This is legally possible under the condition that at least the Foreign Affairs committees of both councils agree to the agreement in advance.
When it come to the chaotic Brexit, but could not solve the new agreement, all issues, to give connoisseurs of the dossier. In this case, parts of the new Convention could not be applied. In particular, the certain provisions on technical barriers to trade applies, because Switzerland would otherwise, in turn, problems with the EU. At least for important product group for pharmaceutical products and automotive supplier – can give it but even in the No-Deal case, the solution, so that the trade could go reasonably smoothly.
agreement
Positive, the economy responds umbrella organisation Economiesuisse. Both countries have done their homework and solved”, what is at the present time to solve,” the evaluation of Jan Atteslander, head of foreign economic Affairs at Swiss business Federation Economiesuisse. In addition, have intensified through these discussions, the partnership with London generally. Atteslander hopes that the two countries will deepen your relationships in the future. In fact, the text of the agreement for the time after the Brexit exploratory talks for a further agreement.
Also, the Federal government is London has also negotiated the question of how it is to go after the Brexit with the free movement of persons. The appropriate agreement to be approved shortly by the Federal Council. (Editorial Tamedia)
Created: 14.12.2018, 22:30 PM
