Switzerland ratifies Croatia protocol
Bern, 16.12.2016 - Switzerland has ratified the protocol extending
the free movement of persons to Croatia. On 17 June this year, the
Federal Assembly authorised the Federal Council to ratify Protocol III
extending the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP) to
Croatia, subject to a specific condition. After Parliament passed the
act implementing Article 121a of the Federal Constitution, the Federal
Council concluded that this condition had been fulfilled. At its meeting
on 16 December 2016, it therefore authorised the Federal Department of
Foreign Affairs (FDFA), in cooperation with the Federal Department of
Justice and Police (FDJP), to confirm the ratification of Protocol III
to the EU. This also means the precondition has been met for Switzerland
to participate fully in the Horizon 2020 research programme.
Parliament approved the Croatia protocol on 17 June 2016.
It authorised the Federal Council to ratify the protocol on condition
that "there is an arrangement with the EU for managing immigration which
is compatible with Swiss law". The Federal Assembly today passed the
act implementing Article 121a of the Federal Constitution. Parliament
favours a solution that can be implemented in accordance with the AFMP,
meaning that Switzerland’s bilateral agreements with the EU will
continue to apply. The Federal Council discussed the outcome of the
parliamentary debate today and came to the conclusion that the condition
imposed by Parliament had been fulfilled.
On Friday,
therefore, the Federal Council instructed the FDFA, in cooperation with
the FDJP, to confirm to the EU, as the other party to the agreement,
that the ratification process has been completed. The EU already
informed Switzerland of its completion of the ratification process on
9 November 2016. Protocol III will therefore come into force on
1 January 2017. The State Secretariat for Migration will inform the
relevant authorities in the cantons about the applicable provisions in
due course.
Full participation in Horizon 2020
The
ratification of Protocol III is key to the Federal Council’s plans to
consolidate and further develop the bilateral approach. It will also
mean that from 1 January 2017 Switzerland can participate fully in the
Horizon 2020 research programme as a fully associated member. This is
vitally important for the quality of the research conducted in
Switzerland, for the country’s reputation as a research centre and for
its competitiveness. Swiss researchers will therefore be able to
participate fully in the European research projects funded by the
programme. The international partnerships entered into by Swiss higher
education institutions are just as important as the financial aspects.
Address for enquiries
FDJP Information Service, T +41 58 462 18 18
FDFA Information, T +41 58 462 31 53
For questions about Horizon 2020:
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SBFI, Philipp Langer, T +41 58 462 96 93
https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-64991.html
