The Council of the European Union today gave the green light for the signing of a broad package of agreements between the EU and Switzerland, with the aim of deepening and modernizing their bilateral relations.
The decision was assessed as a natural step in strengthening long-term cooperation, and the presidency of Cyprus worked intensively on finalizing the agreement.
The package includes updating four agreements that already allow Switzerland access to the EU internal market (air and land transport, freedom of movement of persons and conformity assessment), updating the agreement on trade in agricultural products, and three new agreements on food safety, health and electricity.
A new agreement on Switzerland’s permanent and fair financial contribution to the economic and social cohesion of the EU, an agreement on participation in several EU programs, a special agreement on participation in the EU Agency for the Space Program, a protocol on parliamentary cooperation, and a joint declaration on the establishment of a high-level dialogue are also foreseen.
The agreement on Switzerland’s participation in EU programs was signed on 10 November 2025 in Bern and is provisionally applied from the beginning of 2025. Today’s decision enables the signing of the rest of the package, with the signing scheduled for March 2026.
The negotiations were concluded on December 20, 2024, while the Commission submitted to the Council on April 14, 2025 a proposal for a decision on the signing and temporary application of the agreement on Switzerland’s participation in EU programs.
The conclusion of the package is foreseen only after Switzerland completes the necessary procedures for entry into force. After the European Parliament gives its consent and Switzerland fulfills its obligations, the Council will conclude the process and allow the package to enter into force.
(Vijesti.ba / FENA)
