Steinmeier urges EU-Swiss immigration talks

Germany’s Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, is pressing the EU to hold talks with Switzerland over the country’s planned new immigration quotas.

In a referendum last year, the Swiss population voted marginally in favour of reintroducing migration controls. The result had an impact on the country’s participation in Horizon 2020, which saw Switzerland temporarily reduced to third country status.

However, a deal was subsequently struck that has seen the country gain access to some parts of the programme, notably the Excellent Science pillar, on an ‘Associated Country’ basis.

According to ATS news agency, Steinmeier said regarding the issue: “Relations with Switzerland are important to me, and I hope a deal will be found.”

The Swiss Government has until February 2017 to negotiate a solution to the question of free movement of persons. If no remedy is found, Switzerland’s partial association to Horizon 2020 will end on 31 December 2016, meaning that the country would only be able to participate in the research and innovation framework programme with third country status.

The minister added that it was important that talks take place, though recognised that it would be difficult to seal a long term deal and that a resolution could not be formed “overnight”.

The EU has said it is unwilling to compromise on the issue of the free movement of people.