February 24, 2026, 11:00 a.mFebruary 24, 2026, 11:00 a.m
The EU member states want to strengthen relations with Switzerland. The EU Council is due to give the green light for the signing of the package agreement with Bern on Tuesday.
“The agreement package will expand our cooperation,” said Cypriot Deputy Minister for Europe, Marilena Raouna, upon her arrival at the Council meeting in Brussels. Cyprus currently holds the EU Council Presidency and in this role is chairing the meeting. The decision, which is intended to authorize the European Commission to sign the contracts with Bern, is considered a formality.
Marilena Raouna, Cypriot Deputy Minister for Europe.Image: keystone
“Switzerland belongs in the center of Europe and in the internal market,” said German State Minister Gunther Krichbaum in Brussels before the meeting. It is now important to put the relations between the EU and Switzerland on a new basis. Like Krichbaum, other ministers also emphasized the importance of relations with Switzerland. (hkl/sda)