Popular votes and chronology

Votes

When the Swiss voted against joining the European Economic Area (EEA) in the referendum of 1992 Switzerland decided to develop further relations with the European Union on a bilateral basis. Since then there have been a number of other popular votes on questions related to European policy.

15.05.2022: Adoption of the EU Regulation on the European Border and Coast Guard (Frontex).
27.09.2020: Popular initiative «For moderate immigration (Limitation Initiative)»
19.05.2019: EU firearms directive
30.11.2014: Popular initiative «Ecopop»
09.02.2014: Popular initiative aimed at «Stopping mass immigration»
17.05.2009: Acceptance of the Federal Act of 13 June 2008 about the introduction of electronically stored biometric data in the Swiss passport and in the travel documents for foreign individuals (development of the Schengen acquis)
08.02.2009: Continuation of the agreement on the free movement of persons and its extension to Bulgaria and Romania
26.11.2006: Federal Act on Cooperation with Eastern Europe
25.09.2005: Extension of the agreement on the free movement of persons and the revision of the accompanying measures
05.06.2005: Acceptance of the Schengen/Dublin association agreement
04.03.2001: Popular initiative «Yes to Europe!»
21.05.2000: Bilateral Agreements I between Switzerland and the European Union
08.06.1997: Popular initiative «EU membership negotiations before the people!»
06.12.1992: Accession of Switzerland to the European Economic Area

Chronology

Relations between Switzerland and the rest of Europe have been developed steadily. The highlights of this development process are listed in chronological order in the following document:

Data	Switzerland	EU
08.11.2023	At its meeting on 8 November 2023, the Federal Council reviewed the outcomes of internal discussions and the exploratory talks with the EU. On this basis, it decided to draw up a negotiating mandate. Before the end of the year, it will decide whether or not to adopt it and submit it to the foreign affairs committees (FACs) and the Conference of Cantonal Governments (CCG) for consultation.
21.09.2023	11th and final round of exploratory talks between Switzerland and the EU Commission.
18.07.2023	Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets Vice-President of the EU Commission Maroš Šefčovič in Brussels. Talks focus on the progress made in the exploratory talks at the technical and diplomatic level as well as the outstanding issues and next steps to be clarified in the coming months.
21.06.2023	The Federal Council takes stock of its European policy and adopts the parameters of a negotiating mandate with the EU.
30.05.2023	10th round of exploratory talks between Switzerland and the EU Commission: Livia Leu, State Secretary of the FDFA, meets Juraj Nociar, Head of Cabinet of Vice-President of the EU Commission Maroš Šefčovič, in Brussels.
20.04.2023	9th round of exploratory talks between Switzerland and the EU Commission: Livia Leu, State Secretary of the FDFA, meets Juraj Nociar, Head of Cabinet of Vice-President of the EU Commission Maroš Šefčovič, in Brussels.
29.03.2023	The Federal Council decides on how to proceed with a view to a negotiating mandate.
15.03.2023	Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič in Bern.
07.03.2023	8th round of exploratory talks between Switzerland and the EU Commission: Livia Leu, State Secretary of the FDFA, meets Juraj Nociar, Head of Cabinet of Vice-President of the EU Commission Maroš Šefčovič, in Brussels.
20.01.2023	7th round of exploratory talks between Switzerland and the EU Commission: Livia Leu, State Secretary of the FDFA, meets Juraj Nociar, Head of Cabinet of Vice-President of the EU Commission Maroš Šefčovič, in Brussels.