The Swiss Way. The Nature of the Swiss Relationship with the EU

• Main Authors: Schwok, René, Lavenex, Sandra
• Format: Book Part
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge (London) 2015
• Subjects: info:eu-repo/classification/ddc/320; Union européenne; Relations internationales; Europe; Relations; European Union countries; Politics and government; Suisse; Norvège; Islande
• Online Access: https://archive-ouverte.unige.ch/unige:91339

Swiss–EU relations are based on a set of negotiated sector-specific agreements and lack central coordinating institutions or enforcement mechanisms. At first sight, this arrangement promises a much greater degree of autonomy and self-determination towards the EU than the comprehensive and legally constraining architecture of the EEA. This official depiction has been questioned in public and academic debates. Thus, there are grounds for questioning whether the difference in association makes up for a less hegemonic relationship for Switzerland than what is the case with the EEA countries.