Members of the sounding board, which was set up as part of the ‘Swiss–EU relations’ organisational structure, were granted access to the texts in mid-April to enable them to meet their advisory remit. The sounding board also includes Assembly members, so allowing these members to access the texts was seen as unfair by some. The administration took these concerns into account by expanding confidential access to include two members of each parliamentary group.
Confidential access at the FDFA
There is no general obligation to disclose the texts of the agreements at present. Given the high level of parliamentary interest in this matter and the completion of the ‘legal scrubbing’ process, the Federal Council has now decided to give Assembly members immediate access to the draft agreements upon request. The agreements are available for inspection on a confidential basis in a meeting room at the Europe Division of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). Assembly members accessing the documents are required to maintain confidentiality in accordance with official secrecy rules.
Transparent approach from the outset
The Federal Council has maintained a transparent, step-by-step approach since the start of the process to agree the Swiss–EU package. All major decisions have been communicated fully and systematically. The cantons were actively involved in the negotiations as institutional partners. Together with the social partners, the cantons have also participated in the sounding board under the ‘Swiss–EU relations’ organisational structure. Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committees have also been kept informed as work progresses.
Since December 2023, the Federal Council has published all relevant documents, including the final report on the exploratory talks with the EU, the negotiating mandate and fact-based explanations of the individual agreements. It is envisaged that the negotiated agreements, implementing legislation, and accompanying measures will be available to the public in three official languages before the summer recess when the consultation procedure is launched.
Address for enquiries:
FDFA Communication Bundeshaus West 3003 Bern +41 58 460 55 55 kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
