Press statements by President von der Leyen with the President of Switzerland Viola Amherd

European Commission

18 Mar 202408:14

Summary

TLDREuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis have initiated negotiations for an updated partnership between the European Union and Switzerland. The talks aim to strengthen economic ties, ensure fair competition, and provide good conditions for citizens. Both parties seek a swift conclusion to the negotiations, with a focus on mutual benefits, shared values, and joint efforts in areas such as energy, health, education, and climate change monitoring.

Takeaways

🤝 The European Union and Switzerland have begun negotiations for an updated partnership with enhanced trust.
📈 The goal is to conclude the negotiations by the end of the year, reflecting the unique and demanding nature of their relationship.
🌍 Switzerland is a significant economic partner to the EU, with trade volumes between Switzerland and certain German states exceeding that of China.
🛠️ The partnership aims to strengthen and nurture the relationship, addressing new challenges such as energy and health.
💪 Fair and equal competitive conditions for all economic actors on both sides are a priority.
🌟 The EU wants to ensure equal treatment for all EU citizens working in Switzerland, regardless of their country of origin.
🎓 The partnership includes opportunities for Swiss participation in EU programs, such as Erasmus+ for students and Horizon Europe for researchers.
🚀 The aim is to complete a package of ten agreements, with a focus on making good and rapid progress on each.
🤗 The EU and Switzerland value their close partnership, which is beneficial for both parties and maintains a variety of interests and values.
📊 Switzerland seeks access to the European market, work-oriented immigration, wage protection, and involvement in European research projects.
🌈 The partnership between Switzerland and the EU is highlighted as crucial in the current international context, connecting not just interests but also shared values and goals.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the meeting between the European Union and Switzerland mentioned in the transcript?
-The main purpose of the meeting is to begin negotiations for an updated partnership with closer ties and strengthened trust between the European Union and Switzerland.
Where did the EU and Switzerland leaders meet previously?
-The leaders of the EU and Switzerland previously met in Davos.
What is the goal for the negotiations between the EU and Switzerland?
-The goal is to conclude the negotiations by the end of the year, aiming to strengthen and update the partnership between the two entities.
How does the trade volume between Switzerland and two German states compare to China's trade volume with Switzerland?
-The trade volume between Switzerland and the German states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria alone is greater than the entire trade volume with China.
What are some of the new challenges that the EU and Switzerland aim to address together?
-The EU and Switzerland aim to address new challenges such as energy and health issues together.
What does the EU want to ensure for its citizens working in Switzerland?
-The EU wants to ensure that all EU citizens are treated equally in Switzerland, regardless of which member state they come from.
What is one of the potential areas for Swiss participation in EU programs mentioned in the transcript?
-One potential area for Swiss participation in EU programs is the possibility for Swiss students to join the Erasmus+ program, fostering friendships and lifelong bonds.
How does the transcript suggest the EU and Switzerland can collaborate in scientific research?
-The transcript suggests that scientists from both the EU and Switzerland can collaborate in researching and advancing innovations through programs like Horizon Europe and by monitoring climate change in the Alps using the Copernicus satellite program.
What is the significance of the partnership between the EU and Switzerland in the current international context?
-The partnership is significant as it connects not only interests but also values and goals of peace, democracy, and the rule of law, especially in a time when these principles are being questioned in Europe.
How many agreements currently connect the EU and Switzerland?
-More than 100 agreements currently connect the EU and Switzerland.
What does the Swiss Federal Councillor for Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis, and the Vice-President of the Commission, Maroš Šefčovič, contribute to the partnership?
-Ignazio Cassis and Maroš Šefčovič have contributed to the partnership through their tireless work and commitment, helping to shape the future of the EU-Switzerland relationship.

Outlines

00:00

🤝 Renewed Partnership and Negotiations

The paragraph discusses the joy of welcoming President Viola back to Brussels after their meeting in Davos. It highlights the importance of the day as it marks the beginning of negotiations for a renewed partnership with closer ties between Europe and Switzerland. The speaker emphasizes the hard work put into reaching this point and the shared understanding between both parties to make further progress in the negotiations. The goal is to conclude the negotiations within the same year, recognizing the unique relationship that deserves an upgrade. The speaker mentions the significant trade volume between Switzerland and southern German states compared to China, stressing the need to strengthen and nurture these relationships. New challenges such as energy and health are mentioned, and the importance of fair and equal competitive conditions for all economic actors on both sides is emphasized. The paragraph concludes with a call to action to utilize the momentum and work towards a package of ten agreements, ensuring good and swift progress on each.

05:01

🌟 Welcoming New Momentum in Partnership

This paragraph expresses the speaker's excitement about initiating a new phase in the relationship between the EU and Switzerland. It acknowledges the preparatory and technical conversations that took place between spring 2022 and autumn 2023, and the recent adoption of negotiation mandates by both parties. The speaker encourages the teams to continue their work with full vigor and commitment, noting that this step is crucial for providing stability and shaping a future-oriented relationship for the well-being of their populations. The paragraph outlines the Swiss focus on market access for their enterprises, labor market-oriented immigration, and wage protection. It also highlights the importance of Swiss participation in European projects and the mutual benefits of a close and diverse partnership. The speaker emphasizes the significance of maintaining and developing the good and functional aspects of the relationship between Switzerland and the EU, especially in the current international context where values and goals such as peace, democracy, and the rule of law are being questioned.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Renewed Partnership

The term 'Renewed Partnership' refers to the ongoing efforts to strengthen and update the existing relationship between Europe and Switzerland. It signifies the intention to enhance trust and cooperation through negotiations for a more robust framework. In the context of the video, it is a central theme that underscores the mutual desire to conclude negotiations by the end of the year, aiming for a comprehensive package of ten agreements.

💡Closer Relations

Closer relations refer to the deepening of ties between the European Union and Switzerland, aiming for a more integrated and cooperative future. This involves enhancing trade, fostering mutual understanding, and working together on various challenges such as energy and health. The video emphasizes the importance of these relations for both parties, given the unique and demanding times they face globally.

💡Trade Volume

Trade volume is a measure of the quantity of goods or services traded over a specified period. In the context of the video, it is used to highlight the significant economic interaction between Switzerland and the European Union, particularly noting that trade between Switzerland and two German states alone exceeds the total trade volume with China. This underscores the importance of strengthening and nurturing these economic ties.

💡Energy Challenges

Energy challenges refer to the issues and complexities that arise in the production, distribution, and consumption of energy. In the video, it is mentioned as one of the areas where the EU and Switzerland can collaborate to improve and enhance their partnership. The focus on energy challenges suggests a shared interest in finding sustainable and efficient energy solutions, which is crucial in the face of global environmental concerns.

💡Fair Competition

Fair competition is the principle that businesses should compete on a level playing field, without any unfair advantages or disadvantages. In the video, it is emphasized as a key condition for the economic actors on both sides of the EU-Swiss partnership. Ensuring fair competition is vital for maintaining a healthy and equitable economic environment, which benefits all stakeholders involved.

💡Citizens' Rights

Citizens' rights refer to the legal entitlements and protections afforded to individuals within a state or region. In the context of the video, it is important to ensure that European citizens working in Switzerland are treated equally, regardless of their country of origin within the EU. This reflects a commitment to mutual respect and reciprocity in the partnership between the EU and Switzerland.

💡Erasmus Plus

Erasmus Plus is an EU program that supports education, training, youth, and sport. It provides opportunities for students to study, train, teach, and volunteer abroad. In the video, the program is mentioned as a platform for Swiss students to engage with their European counterparts, fostering cultural exchange and lifelong bonds. This reflects the broader goal of the EU-Swiss partnership to enhance educational and social ties.

💡Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe is the EU's key research and innovation program aimed at boosting science, technology, and other key areas of research and development. It seeks to drive innovation and competitive edge in a global context. In the video, the program is cited as a collaborative opportunity for the EU and Switzerland to pool their intellectual resources and advance scientific research and innovation together.

💡Copernicus Programme

The Copernicus Programme is an EU initiative that monitors the Earth's environment and climate through a series of satellites and in situ sensors. It provides important data for environmental protection, sustainable development, and security. In the video, the program is referenced as a means for the EU and Switzerland to collaborate on monitoring climate change in the Alps, showcasing a practical application of their partnership in addressing global environmental challenges.

💡Negotiation Mandates

Negotiation mandates are the official authorizations or sets of instructions given to representatives for conducting negotiations. In the context of the video, it refers to the EU and Switzerland's formal approval of their respective negotiation mandates, which is a prerequisite for starting formal discussions on the renewal of their partnership.

💡Engagement

Engagement in this context refers to the commitment and active involvement of the parties in the negotiation process. It highlights the dedication and effort put forth by the EU and Switzerland to reach a successful outcome in their partnership negotiations. The term underscores the importance of both sides' willingness to work together constructively towards common goals.

Highlights

The President warmly welcomes the Swiss President back to Brussels after their meeting in Davos, emphasizing the importance of the moment for EU-Swiss relations.

The commencement of negotiations for a renewed partnership with closer ties between Europe and Switzerland, based on strengthened trust.

Both parties have worked hard to reach this point and agree on a common understanding and trust foundation for further progress in negotiations.

The goal is to conclude the negotiations by the end of the year, highlighting the uniqueness of the relationship and the challenging times with intensifying global competition.

Switzerland is a key economic partner, with trade volumes between Swiss and South German states being larger than trade with China.

The importance of nurturing and strengthening these relationships, especially in the face of new challenges such as energy and health.

The necessity of fair and equal competitive conditions for all economic actors on both sides.

The commitment to ensuring equal treatment for all EU citizens in Switzerland, regardless of their member state origin.

The desire for Switzerland to participate in EU programs and the potential for joint achievements, such as Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe.

The aim to conclude a package of ten agreements and make good, swift progress on each.

The Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis and Vice President Marus Sefcovicov's tireless work and commitment to a close partnership with Switzerland.

The Swiss focus on market access for their companies, labor market-oriented immigration, and wage protection.

The mutual engagement to find solutions that resonate with the well-being of their populations and the importance of Switzerland as the fourth-largest trade partner of the EU.

The EU's importance as Switzerland's most significant economic partner and the extensive network of agreements connecting both entities.

The significance of the partnership in the current international context, connecting not only interests but also values and goals of peace, democracy, and the rule of law.

The importance of preserving and developing what works well in EU-Swiss relations for the benefit of both sides.

The call for teams to begin their work with the wish for good luck and support in successfully launching this new chapter of partnership.

Transcripts

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