Swiss government backs agreement strengthening economic ties to EU

14/6/2025 7:03

The Swiss cabinet on Friday approved a deal struck in December with the European Union aimed at deepening bilateral economic ties and has now launched a domestic consultation process.



Global geopolitical uncertainty made it a "strategic necessity" to maintain stable and predictable relations with the EU, Switzerland's top trading partner, the government said.



"By fixing our economic and political relations with the EU we increase our security," Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis told reporters, adding that Switzerland belonged to Europe not only geographically, but also economically and socially.



"An old Arabic proverb says 'he who lives in peace with his neighbours sleeps without fear,'" Cassis said, noting that instability had become the "new normal".



Issues such as wage protections, immigration and electricity as well as the type of referendum to be held on the accord have all been settled over the last five months.