An embarrassment of Swiss

The Tribune de Genève reports on the decision of the Swiss Federal Council to dismiss accession to the EU or the European Economic Area, and even fixed bilateral agreements. Editor-in-chief Pierre Ruetschi condemned Switzerland’s “new” European policy, taking issue with the notion that renegotiation of bilateral accords “is the only possible option”. A working group has been established to report on future policy before the end of the year. The government’s position is a testament to “the immense embarrassment of Switzerland, which can go no further on the bilateral route,” and has done nothing that will result in progress. In short, “Bern has succeeded in buying time, but without establishing a clear policy for the future.”