Switzerland’s plan for a new framework agreement on bilateral relations with the European Union is supported by a majority of Swiss, according to the findings of a new survey.
The results of the survey showed that 82% of participants want to continue relations with the EU based on the existing bilateral accords, and 75% back the government’s new strategy including a binding procedure for the adoption of European law and settlement of disputes.
As reported by Swissinfo online, the survey, which was conducted by gfs.bernexternal link among 2,500 respondents in March and April, also found that 54% of people also support the idea of a joint arbitration court to settle disputes between the EU and Switzerland.
Even supporters of the conservative right Swiss People’s Party, which opposes a framework agreement with the EU, backed the idea.
Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis announced the government’s support for such a court in early March. It was first suggested in January by officials in Brussels, who reportedly see it as a means of circumventing Swiss reluctance to allow the European Court of Justice to make rulings on relations.
