Swiss foreign minister defends proposed EU deal

Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has rejected criticism of the results of negotiations with the European Union about a framework accord, encompassing all aspects of political relations between Switzerland and the 28-nation bloc. Cassis said Switzerland had achieved 80% of its aims during the five-year negotiations and failure to conclude the deal with Brussels now could seriously endanger bilateral ties. “There is a risk that we will have to accept a worse deal with the EU later,” he told the Neue Zürcher Zeitung newspaper. Cassis said he was concerned that right- and left-wing populist parties could make major gains in next year’s EU elections, further complicating relations. However, he added that he had not given up hope that a pragmatic solution could be found that satisfies both the Swiss trade unions and the EU over a controversial easing of restrictions to the Swiss labour market. In the extended interview, Cassis dismissed criticism by the EU Commissioner, Johannes ...