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S U B S C R I B E
WRS stories about EU
Elections are over, the EU wants some answers
Wednesday, 26 October, 2011
All of Europe is focused on the last-minute efforts to try to resolve the Eurozone debt crisis. Meanwhile in Switzerland today, future relations with the European Union—from GPS programs to, of course, tax agreements—were on the agenda of a special meeting of the Federal Council, but little progress appears to have been made. WRS’s Alex Helmick turns to our reporter Jordan Davis in Bern for an update:
Wednesday, 26 October, 2011
All of Europe is focused on the last-minute efforts to try to resolve the Eurozone debt crisis. Meanwhile in Switzerland today, future relations with the European Union—from GPS programs to, of course, tax agreements—were on the agenda of a special meeting of the Federal Council, but little progress appears to have been made. WRS’s Alex Helmick turns to our reporter Jordan Davis in Bern for an update:
Switzerland and Norway: Similar nations brace for a eurozone crisis
Thursday, 13 October, 2011
Thursday, 13 October, 2011
The eurozone debt crisis is worrying countries around the world. Swiss officials have reportedly set up a task force to deal with the ramifications. One controversial move saw the Swiss National Bank tie the franc to the euro, capping its value at 1.20 francs to 1 euro. So as investors seek a safe haven for cash, will they flock to other Swiss-like states?
Norway, for instance, is very similar to Switzerland. In fact, the Norwegian krone has seen big gains on the euro. Both countries also have a stable economy, low unemployment and a strong currency. And, more concerning, both countries also rely on the eurozone for export sales and tourism. Alex Helmick talks to Norwegian Ambassador to Switzerland Rolf Trolle Andersen about what lessons can be shared between the two countries:
'Unavoidable' Greek bankruptcy will hit Switzerland, says chief economist
Wednesday, 5 October, 2011
A long, drawn-out eurozone debt crisis will hit Swiss exports and productivity, according to Rudolf Minsch, chief economist for the corporate union Economiesuisse. Right now, the average person living and working in Switzerland has not felt the impact of the crisis, but over time, Minsch says, that will change. WRS’s Alex Helmick talks to Minsch:
Wednesday, 5 October, 2011
A long, drawn-out eurozone debt crisis will hit Swiss exports and productivity, according to Rudolf Minsch, chief economist for the corporate union Economiesuisse. Right now, the average person living and working in Switzerland has not felt the impact of the crisis, but over time, Minsch says, that will change. WRS’s Alex Helmick talks to Minsch:
Economist decries SNB's franc-to-euro cap
Tuesday, 6 September, 2011
The Swiss National Bank says it will set a minimum exchange rate of 1.20 francs against the euro, and that it is prepared to buy foreign currency in unlimited quantities to impose the limit. The move, a bid to tame the franc’s record rally this year, has surprised markets and caused considerable sell-offs. WRS’s Alex Helmick speaks to Beat Kappeler, economist and journalist at the NZZ am Sonntag and Le Temps, who believes the SNB’s call was “completely wrong”:
Tuesday, 6 September, 2011
The Swiss National Bank says it will set a minimum exchange rate of 1.20 francs against the euro, and that it is prepared to buy foreign currency in unlimited quantities to impose the limit. The move, a bid to tame the franc’s record rally this year, has surprised markets and caused considerable sell-offs. WRS’s Alex Helmick speaks to Beat Kappeler, economist and journalist at the NZZ am Sonntag and Le Temps, who believes the SNB’s call was “completely wrong”:
Motoring On: Understanding EU block exemption rules
Monday, 23 May, 2011
WRS’s Susan Flory unpacks the meaning of motor vehicle block exemption legislation with Emmuanel Stern of the Pitstop Garages in Geneva. The rules, drafted by the European Commission, apply to EU countries and Switzerland. They affect a car owner’s right to choose where to have a car serviced while under warranty, as well as after that period:
Monday, 23 May, 2011
WRS’s Susan Flory unpacks the meaning of motor vehicle block exemption legislation with Emmuanel Stern of the Pitstop Garages in Geneva. The rules, drafted by the European Commission, apply to EU countries and Switzerland. They affect a car owner’s right to choose where to have a car serviced while under warranty, as well as after that period:
Swiss headed for bilateral stalemate with the EU
Thursday, 27 January, 2011
The Federal Council says it will push for a third package of bilateral agreements with Brussels—despite a less-than-enthusiastic EU response after the first two: It thinks the bilateral path is at a dead end. Ahead of Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey scheduled February meeting with the EU president in February, WRS’s Pete Forster called on Brussels-based lawyer Jean Russotto to find out if there’s any sign of progress ahead:
Thursday, 27 January, 2011
The Federal Council says it will push for a third package of bilateral agreements with Brussels—despite a less-than-enthusiastic EU response after the first two: It thinks the bilateral path is at a dead end. Ahead of Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey scheduled February meeting with the EU president in February, WRS’s Pete Forster called on Brussels-based lawyer Jean Russotto to find out if there’s any sign of progress ahead:
EU report reveals growing frustration with Switzerland
Wednesday, 15 December, 2010
The European Union’s latest report on relations with Switzerland paints a picture of close but frustrated relations. Ministers from the 27 member states said they’ve come to the conclusion that the bilateral path that’s worked in the past won’t work in the future. This is among a list of old but unresolved grievances and is similar to a report two years ago. But the tone is becoming increasingly direct. We hear more from WRS’s Jordan Davis:
Wednesday, 15 December, 2010
The European Union’s latest report on relations with Switzerland paints a picture of close but frustrated relations. Ministers from the 27 member states said they’ve come to the conclusion that the bilateral path that’s worked in the past won’t work in the future. This is among a list of old but unresolved grievances and is similar to a report two years ago. But the tone is becoming increasingly direct. We hear more from WRS’s Jordan Davis:
Swiss bankers breathe sigh of relief at EU compromise
Thursday, 9 December, 2010
EU member states have decided that automatic exchange of banking details is no longer their policy goal. So how will this affect Switzerland? And is Switzerland out of the woods when it comes to tensions with the EU? WRS’s Conor Lennon called on Tomas Miglierina, who covers Brussels for our Italian-language sister radio RSI:
Thursday, 9 December, 2010
EU member states have decided that automatic exchange of banking details is no longer their policy goal. So how will this affect Switzerland? And is Switzerland out of the woods when it comes to tensions with the EU? WRS’s Conor Lennon called on Tomas Miglierina, who covers Brussels for our Italian-language sister radio RSI:
It's the Law: Immigration for EU nationals
Monday, 4 October, 2010
This week, lawyer Stéphanie Fuld concentrates on immigration issues for EU nationals:
Monday, 4 October, 2010
This week, lawyer Stéphanie Fuld concentrates on immigration issues for EU nationals:
New study sparks EU membership debate
Thursday, 23 September, 2010
“To join or not to join the EU?” That was a question brought up during these federal elections. A recent study from the University of Bern has found that about 50 percent of Swiss law is influenced by EU law. So is Switzerland effectively part of the EU anyway, but without voting rights? Debating the issue are Thomas Cottier, professor of European and economic law at the University of Bern (who directed the research) and Luzi Stamm, Swiss People’s Party parliamentarian and vice-president of the Association for a Neutral and Independent Switzerland:
Thursday, 23 September, 2010
“To join or not to join the EU?” That was a question brought up during these federal elections. A recent study from the University of Bern has found that about 50 percent of Swiss law is influenced by EU law. So is Switzerland effectively part of the EU anyway, but without voting rights? Debating the issue are Thomas Cottier, professor of European and economic law at the University of Bern (who directed the research) and Luzi Stamm, Swiss People’s Party parliamentarian and vice-president of the Association for a Neutral and Independent Switzerland:
End of year deadline for EU solution
Friday, 20 August, 2010
EU membership for Switzerland won’t be happening any time soon. That’s probably the most definite thing to come out of the Federal Council’s much anticipated pronouncement yesterday on the future of relations with Brussels. President Doris Leuthard and Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey say it’s in Switzerland’s interest to stay on what’s called the bilateral path. This means still negotiating treaty after treaty but finding a way to consolidate them and, better yet, giving Switzerland a hand in decision-making in the EU in the areas concerned by those treaties. A joint working group between Brussels and Bern is supposed to come up with ideas by the end of the year. Joining Conor Lennon in the studio were Michael Fust the general secretary of NOMES, the New European Movement of Switzerland, Luzi Stamm a Swiss people’s party MP from Aargau and attorney Jean Russotto with the view form Brussels.
Friday, 20 August, 2010
EU membership for Switzerland won’t be happening any time soon. That’s probably the most definite thing to come out of the Federal Council’s much anticipated pronouncement yesterday on the future of relations with Brussels. President Doris Leuthard and Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey say it’s in Switzerland’s interest to stay on what’s called the bilateral path. This means still negotiating treaty after treaty but finding a way to consolidate them and, better yet, giving Switzerland a hand in decision-making in the EU in the areas concerned by those treaties. A joint working group between Brussels and Bern is supposed to come up with ideas by the end of the year. Joining Conor Lennon in the studio were Michael Fust the general secretary of NOMES, the New European Movement of Switzerland, Luzi Stamm a Swiss people’s party MP from Aargau and attorney Jean Russotto with the view form Brussels.
Immigration quiz—Swiss People’s Party question the nation
Thursday, 29 July, 2010
Should Switzerland abandon or renegotiate the Free Movement of People accord with the EU? Should long term unemployed foreigners be sent home? Should foreigners who commit serious crimes be automatically deported? The Swiss People’s Party has sent out a questionnaire to every Swiss household to canvas opinion on these and similar issues. The questionnaire’s accompanied by a pamphlet outlining the Swiss People’s Party’s outlook on foreigners, immigration and crime. WRS’s Vincent Landon has more.
Thursday, 29 July, 2010
Should Switzerland abandon or renegotiate the Free Movement of People accord with the EU? Should long term unemployed foreigners be sent home? Should foreigners who commit serious crimes be automatically deported? The Swiss People’s Party has sent out a questionnaire to every Swiss household to canvas opinion on these and similar issues. The questionnaire’s accompanied by a pamphlet outlining the Swiss People’s Party’s outlook on foreigners, immigration and crime. WRS’s Vincent Landon has more.
Iranian academic: Enforcing EU sanctions could ruin relations with Swiss
Tuesday, 27 July, 2010
Will Switzerland implement the new European Union sanctions against Iran? The EU recently approved tougher sanctions on investment into Iran, nearly a month after the United Nations issued sanctions on the Islamic republic. The sanctions are seen as a way to pressure Iran to conform to international guidelines around its nuclear program. But would Swiss involvement ruin diplomatic relations with the country and dissolve any sense of a neutral Swiss state in the matter? Alex Helmick talks to Farian Sabahi, Professor of Islamic History at the University of Turin and a professor at the University of Geneva.
Tuesday, 27 July, 2010
Will Switzerland implement the new European Union sanctions against Iran? The EU recently approved tougher sanctions on investment into Iran, nearly a month after the United Nations issued sanctions on the Islamic republic. The sanctions are seen as a way to pressure Iran to conform to international guidelines around its nuclear program. But would Swiss involvement ruin diplomatic relations with the country and dissolve any sense of a neutral Swiss state in the matter? Alex Helmick talks to Farian Sabahi, Professor of Islamic History at the University of Turin and a professor at the University of Geneva.
Decision time—what next for Switzerland and the EU?
Tuesday, 27 July, 2010
Tuesday, 27 July, 2010
Europe is getting tired of Switzerland thinking it’s a special case. That was the message Doris Leuthard took away from Brussels last week after tough talks about the future of Switzerland’s 20 major bilateral agreements and around 100 secondary accords. On August 18, the Swiss government will publish a keenly awaited report on the status of European integration and whether bilateral accords have a future.
The debate is exactly what opponents of closer ties with Europe have been looking for. Over the weekend the former Swiss People’s Party president Cristophe Blocher floated the idea of an initiative to ban EU membership. WRS’s Conor Lennon speaks with the party’s Ulrich Schluer for that perspective, but first we hear from Christa Markwalder, a liberal MP and president of NOMES, the New Movement European Switzerland. WRS’s Pete Forster asked her what she made of Mr Blocher’s suggestion:
How Greece's bailout affects Switzerland's thoughts on joining EU
Tuesday, 4 May, 2010
Though Switzerland isn’t a member of the European Union, it’s had a front-row view of the Greek debt crisis. Not so surprisingly, opponents of Switzerland joining the EU see the events as boosting their point of view. But, surprisingly, even pro-EU groups are finding a silver lining. WRS’s Jordan Davis reports on how the euro-crisis could weigh on the discussion in Switzerland about EU membership.
Tuesday, 4 May, 2010
Though Switzerland isn’t a member of the European Union, it’s had a front-row view of the Greek debt crisis. Not so surprisingly, opponents of Switzerland joining the EU see the events as boosting their point of view. But, surprisingly, even pro-EU groups are finding a silver lining. WRS’s Jordan Davis reports on how the euro-crisis could weigh on the discussion in Switzerland about EU membership.
