European Union countries paved the way for comprehensive agreements on closer cooperation with Switzerland.
Under the plans, the EU is to update existing agreements and enter into new cooperation agreements on issues such as food safety, health and electricity, a press release published on Tuesday said.
In addition, a permanent and fair financial contribution from Switzerland to the economic and social cohesion of the EU is to be set up. The fee is expected to be set at around €375 million ($441 million) annually.
Although Switzerland is not a member of the EU, it already has extensive access to the European single market.
As a next step, the cooperation agreements need to be approved by the European Parliament.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin is reportedly planning to travel to Brussels in early March to officially sign off on the package, before it is to be ratified by the parliament in Bern.
The right-wing populist Swiss People’s Party (SVP), however, opposes closer ties with Brussels and aims to delay the process for as long as possible.
A referendum could also be held on the new agreements, but probably not until after the next elections, expected in October 2027. The new rules would then only come into force if approved by the public.
Negotiations on closer cooperation between Switzerland and the EU were concluded in December 2024 after years of talks.