Source: Dispatch 26.023, Chapter 1.6 (pp. 56--65)
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The Federal Council considers the negotiating mandate to have been fully fulfilled and partially exceeded. It requests Parliament to approve the agreements and protocols as well as the corresponding implementing legislation and accompanying measures.
Switzerland has pursued the bilateral path with the EU for more than 25 years. Of all options (doing nothing, free trade, EEA accession, EU accession), it offers the most balanced ratio between economic benefit and political room for manoeuvre. The experience of these 25 years confirms that the bilateral path has proven its worth.
Switzerland has succeeded in achieving its core objective: optimal participation in clearly defined areas of the EU internal market as well as cooperation in selected areas of interest -- whilst preserving the greatest possible political room for manoeuvre.
In addition, domestic measures are provided in the areas of:
These measures are not strictly necessary for implementing the international treaties, but were developed by the Federal Council in favour of domestic acceptability -- in a broad, inclusive and transparent process with the cantons, committees, social partners and parties.
Without the package, existing agreements risk gradual erosion. Avenir Suisse estimated the erosion costs at CHF 1.7 billion one-off and CHF 1.3 billion annually. The package safeguards and updates existing market access.
The development component opens additional possibilities: