Parliament takes the lead on the EU dossier. On Friday, the Federal Council approved the message on the EU treaty package and passed it on to the Federal Council.
With the “Stabilization and further development of relations between Switzerland and the EU (Bilateral III)” package, the Federal Council wants to stabilize the tried and tested bilateral path and make it sustainable, the state government announced. In addition, given the tense geopolitical situation, stable and reliable relations with neighboring European countries are of “strategic importance”.
The Federal Council has adapted three further laws compared to the consultation proposal. These concern the participation rights of the cantons, parliament and the public in the context of so-called “decision shaping”, as it was further said. This means Switzerland’s participation in the EU legislative process in the areas in which Switzerland should participate in the future.
Three new laws and adjustments to 36 laws
According to documents, Parliament will have to deal with three new laws: on the monitoring of state aid, on administrative cooperation in the recognition of professional qualifications and on Switzerland’s contributions to strengthening cohesion in Europe. The Federal Council is also applying for four commitment loans.
36 existing federal laws would have to be further adjusted, 15 of which were of a “substantial” extent and 21 of which were of a “minor” extent. As part of the package, 94 EU legal acts are relevant for Switzerland. The government explains the details to lawmakers in the 1,086-page message that was published.
As already decided in June, the Federal Council is putting together the contract package and submitting four federal resolutions to Parliament: one relating to the stabilization of the existing agreements and one each on the three new agreements in the areas of electricity, health and food safety.
The Federal Council is also sticking to its decision to subject the contracts to the optional referendum. This means that in the event of a referendum, only the majority of the people and not the majority of the cantons will decide on the outcome of the vote. Parliament will also definitely decide on this.
Connection to existing bilateral agreements
According to the Federal Council, the proposal will stabilize the tried and tested bilateral path and make it sustainable. It ensures the continuity of economic, scientific and social relations with the EU, “Switzerland’s most important trading partner”.
Furthermore, from the government’s point of view, the path taken remains the “best option” for shaping relations between Switzerland and the EU. The contract package now available is linked to the existing bilateral agreements I and II. The Federal Council therefore calls the package Bilateral III.
Package counts a total of 18 contracts
The contract package was negotiated between Bern and Brussels from March to December 2024. There are a total of 18 contracts and two joint declarations. Most of them were signed in Brussels on March 2, 2026 by Federal President Guy Parmelin and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The agreement to associate Switzerland with the EU programs was signed in November 2025. Some of it is already being applied provisionally.
On the one hand, the package provides for the updating of existing agreements. These are those in the areas of air and land transport, food trade, mutual recognition of conformity assessments (MRA) and the free movement of people. The contract texts also regulate regular cohesion payments from Switzerland to selected EU member states.
On the other hand, the package provides for new agreements in the areas of electricity, health and food safety. In addition, a high-level dialogue is to be established between Switzerland and the EU. The new texts also provide for increased parliamentary cooperation.
Dynamic legal adoption and dispute resolution
The enhanced partnership regulates the so-called dynamic transfer of rights in the modernized agreements in the areas of air transport, MRA, land transport and the free movement of people, as well as in the three new agreements. This is intended to ensure that the agreements remain valid even if the law changes. “Decision shaping” therefore applies to these agreements.
A dispute resolution procedure is also planned. In the event of a disagreement that cannot be resolved in a joint committee, an arbitration tribunal should be referred. His decision would then be legally binding. If there are questions about the interpretation of EU law, the arbitration tribunal must consult the European Court of Justice (ECJ). (dab/sda)