Switzerland and the European Union: A Close, Contradictory and Misunderstood Relationship

Despite its geographical centrality and its considerable economic involvement in Europe, Switzerland remains unusual in that it is neither a member of the European Union or the European Economic Area. At a time when the Union is both expanding and seeking to develop its integration, the country constitutes a real anomaly amongst west European states. This book demonstrates the range, depth and complexity of Switzerland’s developing relations with Europe and provides detailed and up-to-date information on Switzerland itself. Considering a variety of dimensions of the country and its ambiguous relations with the EU, the contributors, all of whom are leading specialists on Swiss-EU relations, explore: the classical political obstacles to entry: federalism, direct democracy, neutrality and the growing strength of anti-European populism policy barriers to integration: in trade and economics generally, in financial matters, and in social provisions relating to the movement of people the negotiation of the two sets of bilateral accords which presently structure Swiss relations with the Union the EU response and the prospects for future Swiss-EU relations. Switzerland and the European Union will appeal to specialists on Switzerland, academics and students in politics and international relations, and practitioners in European integration and Swiss politics.