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Post by JustJohn or JJ on Jun 17, 2016 5:25:07 GMT -7
Switzerland Withdraws Application To Join European UnionPosted on June 16, 2016  The Swiss parliament has voted to officially withdraw its 1992 application to join the European Union The country’s National Council backed a symbolic motion to retract the country’s 24-year-old bid to join what was then the European Economic Community (EEC). The vote, on Wednesday, comes a week before Britain’s referendum when they decide on whether to leave or remain in the EU. RT reports: Twenty-seven members of the upper house, the Council of States, voted to cancel Switzerland’s longstanding EU application, versus just 13 senators against. Two abstained. In the aftermath of the vote, Switzerland will give formal notice to the EU to consider its application withdrawn, the country’s foreign minister, Didier Burkhalter, was quoted as saying by Neue Zürcher Zeitung. The original motion was introduced by the conservative Swiss People’s Party MP, Lukas Reimann. It had already received overwhelming support from legislators in the lower house of parliament in March, with 126 National Council deputies voting in favor, and 46 against. Thomas Minder, counsellor for the state of Schaffhausen and an active promoter of the concept of “Swissness,” said he was eager to “close the topic fast and painlessly” as only “a few lunatics” may want to join the EU now, he told the newspaper. Hannes Germann, also representing Schaffhausen, highlighted the symbolic importance of the vote, comparing it to Iceland’s decision to drop its membership bid in 2015. “Iceland had the courage and withdrew the application for membership, so no volcano erupted,” he said, jokingly. Switzerland’s longstanding application to join the EU has not had a significant impact on the country’s politics for more than 20 years, as its accession negotiations have been suspended since 1992 in the wake of a referendum to join the European Economic Area, when the Swiss voted down the idea of closer ties with the EU. Some politicians even argued that the vote was an unnecessary formal procedure that didn’t make much sense as Switzerland is no longer regarded by the EU as an official candidate to join the bloc. Filippo Lombardi, from the Christian Democratic People’s Party, said that it was “not very clever to discuss it once again,” calling the debate about Switzerland’s accession at this stage “a bit ridiculous,” Neue Zürcher Zeitung reported. Switzerland, never a member of EU, shares free trade with the union and free movement of people as part of the Schengen zone.  |
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Post by karl on Jun 17, 2016 6:21:50 GMT -7
It would so appear as to be a good and rational decision on the part of the Swiss to decline EU membership at this present time and commensurately any future time. For with the issues and problems on various levels that the EU is enjoying, it is as spoken, simply not rational.
In the matter of the past and present, Switzerland has been neutral and most likely would enjoy to stay in that position. For with the currant desire for the Americans with the Polish wishes to instigate a war with Russia, it would not be to their best interest to be drawn into what ever nonsense of the EU.
Karl
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Post by Jaga on Jun 18, 2016 10:51:58 GMT -7
Karl, I agree. I think Swiss should stay Swiss, it is not a good time to join EU right now. It would so appear as to be a good and rational decision on the part of the Swiss to decline EU membership at this present time and commensurately any future time. For with the issues and problems on various levels that the EU is enjoying, it is as spoken, simply not rational. In the matter of the past and present, Switzerland has been neutral and most likely would enjoy to stay in that position. For with the currant desire for the Americans with the Polish wishes to instigate a war with Russia, it would not be to their best interest to be drawn into what ever nonsense of the EU. Karl |
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Post by karl on Jun 18, 2016 11:36:40 GMT -7
Karl, I agree. I think Swiss should stay Swiss, it is not a good time to join EU right now. It would so appear as to be a good and rational decision on the part of the Swiss to decline EU membership at this present time and commensurately any future time. For with the issues and problems on various levels that the EU is enjoying, it is as spoken, simply not rational. In the matter of the past and present, Switzerland has been neutral and most likely would enjoy to stay in that position. For with the currant desire for the Americans with the Polish wishes to instigate a war with Russia, it would not be to their best interest to be drawn into what ever nonsense of the EU. Karl Thank you Jaga for your very accurate reply. I was a bit hesitant in reply for meaning not to hurt any feelings here with Naming Poland, but needed to be honest. Karl |
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iowa
Freshman Pole
Posts: 1
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Post by iowa on Mar 18, 2019 5:28:41 GMT -7
I don't know how joining EU would influence Swiss economics, but I'm sure nobody would want to lose such special market for investment as real estate, considering that they show great results in decreasing taxes on the cantonal level. Check out this article on real estate in Switzerland in Switzerland, a very useful and accessible explanation from a credible law firm in Switzerland. I also have doubts it's possible to make an important decision only by forum advice. If you got any more personal questions after that, you're free to get legal advice from them. |
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Post by pieter on Mar 18, 2019 6:27:08 GMT -7
Folks,
I agree with Karl. Switzerland was always a neutral country and it is in the interest of the Swiss and the clients of Swiss banks and financial institutions that Switzerland remains neutral. The Swiss democracy is different than most European countries and they have their own unique defence system. The Swiss political, financial, social-economical and cultural system worked well for them for a long time, why change that?
Cheers,
Pieter
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