Switzerland and EU regulate cooperation during ratification phase of package

In the negotiations, Switzerland and the EU agreed on measures to improve their cooperation in the next phases of the process, particularly the ratification phase. These measures relate to key areas such as research, public health and electricity grid stability.

For the period from the end of 2024 to the entry into force of the package, the two parties have determined the scope of their cooperation and partnership and have set this out in a document. This joint declaration, which is included among the documents for the consultation process, will be signed by Mr Cassis and Mr Šefčovič on 24 June 2025 in Brussels.

The joint declaration regulates the following points in particular:

• The expansion of the scope of cooperation between Switzerland and the EU.
• The full activation of the transitional regulation on research and innovation with retroactive effect from 1 January 2025. This gives researchers and innovators in Switzerland access to tendering processes in the Horizon Europe, Euratom and Digital Europe programmes and enables them to apply for funding directly from the EU.
• Swiss–EU cooperation to ensure the security and smooth operation of electricity grids.
• Cooperation to protect citizens from serious cross-border health threats, in particular through Switzerland's technical participation in the EU's health security instruments.
• The extension of transitional measures allowing Switzerland to participate in the EU Agency for Railways beyond 2025.
• The continuation of the dialogue on financial market regulation, which was resumed on 4 July 2024 after an interruption.
• Close cooperation in good faith to ensure the smooth functioning of existing single market agreements. Discussion in particular of the implementation of the Mutual Recognition Agreement.
• Mutual support for the successful conclusion of the ratification process and the consolidation of bilateral relations.

Next steps

Apart from the agreement on Switzerland's participation in EU programmes (including Horizon Europe), which is due to be signed in November 2025, the remaining agreements, protocols and declarations between Switzerland and the EU are expected to be signed in the first quarter of 2026. The Federal Council is also expected to adopt the dispatch to Parliament on the Swiss–EU package in the first quarter of next year.

Address for enquiries:

FDFA Communication Bundeshaus West 3003 Bern +41 58 460 55 55 kommunikation@eda.admin.ch