[autom.vertaling] De onderhandelingen gingen met Zwitserland over de toetreding van de tien nieuwe lidstaten tot de overeenkomst EU-Zwitserland over vrij verkeer van personen verder (en)

The third round of the negotiations (launched last July) took place on Monday, 20 October in Brussels. The main issue at stake concerns the Swiss request for additional transition periods as Switzerland wants to maintain existing restrictions for nationals of the new member states during an additional transition period of seven years. The EU cannot accept any discrimination between old and new member states and deems sufficient the transitional arrangements of the 1999 agreement, which are based on annual quotas for short and long-term work permits. In case of massive influxes Switzerland can maintain quantitative restrictions until 2014.

The EU argues that in addition to increased quotas a unilateral safeguard clause could be granted in line with what has been agreed with Norway and Iceland in the European Economic Area. The quota regulation in combination with such a safeguard clause for quota-free periods would provide ample protection against unsustainable migration movements. In any case, judging from existing studies and earlier enlargements, no such movements are expected to happen.

An agreement should be reached in time to be applied as from 1 May 2004, the date scheduled for EU enlargement.

In parallel to these negotiations the EU expects soon to start negotiating on a financial contribution to social and economic cohesion, as Switzerland will benefit through a series of bilateral agreements from the enlarged Internal Market. The contribution could take the form of Swiss project financing comparable to what has been agreed with Norway. These negotiations should also be concluded in time for enlargement.

For further information on EU-Switzerland relations:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/switzerland/intro/index.htm