BERN (Reuters) – Switzerland’s president on Monday expressed optimism that a deal could be reached on renewing relations with the European Union by the end of the year, despite a lack of agreement on immigration and other issues. expressed.
“We have already made very good progress in certain areas, in particular institutional issues and state aid,” Viola Amheld told reporters in Bern. “In other areas, particularly immigration, positions need to be more concentrated.”
Mr. Amheld has previously said Switzerland aims to finalize an agreement with the EU by the end of this year, when his one-year term ends. “Personally, I’m optimistic that things will work out,” she added.
Previous attempts at an agreement were frustrated by concerns about Swiss sovereignty. One remaining challenge is domestic opposition from the powerful right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP), with Mr Amheld admitting that talks with them would be “nearly impossible”.
“There are other possibilities within Switzerland that ensure that we do not want to cut salaries or that we do not want unregulated immigration. I am confident that we will find a solution,” she said. spoke.
(Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Matthias Williams and Miranda Murray)
