From free movement to common standards: how the EU and Switzerland renew their partnership

BRUSSELS - The European Union and the Swiss Confederation signed a series of agreements on Monday 2 March that should allow the parties to renew their historic partnership. The agreement will not allow Bern to introduce restrictions on the free movement of persons. This has suddenly become crucial as the country is about to vote in a referendum that could introduce a cap on the number of residents (10 million).

First of all, the package of agreements fleshes out four already existing agreements on air transport, road and rail transport, the free movement of persons, and the mutual recognition of certificates of conformity. Secondly, the package of agreements regulates, among other things, Switzerland's access to the European energy market, Bern's participation in space policy, new commitments in food safety, and a fairer Swiss contribution to cohesion policy.

In the documentation published after the signing of the agreements, the European Commission assured: "Switzerland will apply existing and future EU law on the free movement of persons and the posting of workers and will therefore be subject to the same rules as the Member States. Switzerland will not have the possibility to restrict free movement. The existing safeguard clause has been concretised and defined through a joint process'.

Berne has snatched two exceptions. A permanent residence permit after five years of presence in the Swiss Confederation will only be granted by Switzerland to economically active persons and members of their families. The Swiss government will have full freedom with regard to the expulsion of European citizens, in cases provided for by law. As for students, Swiss and Europeans will be treated equally with regard to fees.

As mentioned, Switzerland is organising a referendum, to be held in June, which will put to the voters the possibility of putting a cap on the number of residents (currently 9.1 million). Should the limit hit 9.5 million, the government would be called upon to block the entry of new immigrants, including asylum seekers. Should the limit rise above 10 million, further restrictions would be introduced in the bill.