Editing Switzerland (section)

==== Switzerland and the European Union ====
{{Further|Switzerland–European Union relations}}
Although not a member, Switzerland maintains relationships with the EU and European countries through bilateral agreements. The Swiss have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with those of the EU, in an effort to compete internationally. [[Future enlargement of the European Union#States not on the agenda|EU membership]] faces considerable negative popular sentiment. It is opposed by the conservative [[Swiss People's Party|SVP]] party, the largest party in the National Council, and not advocated by several other political parties. The membership application was formally withdrawn in 2016. The western French-speaking areas and the urban regions of the rest of the country tend to be more pro-EU, but do not form a significant share of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 February 2003 |title=Volksinitiative "Ja zu Europa!" |trans-title=Initiative "Yes to Europe!" |url=http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/17/03/blank/key/2001/01.Document.22675.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624200130/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/17/03/blank/key/2001/01.Document.22675.pdf |archive-date=24 June 2008 |access-date=15 June 2008 |publisher=BFS/OFS/UST |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 January 2003 |title=Volksinitiative "Ja zu Europa!", nach Kantonen. (Initiative "Yes to Europe!" by Canton). |url=http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/17/03/blank/key/2001/01.Document.85488.xls |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501043932/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/17/03/blank/key/2001/01.Document.85488.xls |archive-date=1 May 2011 |access-date=15 June 2008 |publisher=BFS/OFS/UST |language=de |format=XLS}}</ref>

[[File:EU and EFTA.svg|thumb|left|Members of the [[European Free Trade Association]] (green) participate in the [[European single market]] and are part of the [[Schengen Area]].]]
An Integration Office operates under the [[Federal Department of Foreign Affairs|Department of Foreign Affairs]] and the [[Federal Department of Economic Affairs|Department of Economic Affairs]]. Seven bilateral agreements liberalised trade ties, taking effect in 2001. This first series of bilateral agreements included the free movement of persons. A second series of agreements covering nine areas was signed in 2004, including the [[Schengen Treaty]] and the [[Dublin Convention]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bilateral agreements Switzerland-EU |url=http://www.europa.admin.ch/themen/00500/index.html?lang=en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140830131031/http://www.europa.admin.ch/themen/00500/index.html?lang=en |archive-date=30 August 2014 |access-date=8 May 2014 |website=www.europa.admin.ch |publisher=Swiss Directorate for European Affairs DEA, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA}}</ref>

In 2006, a referendum approved 1 billion francs of supportive investment in Southern and Central European countries in support of positive ties to the EU as a whole. A further referendum will be needed to approve 300 million francs to support Romania and Bulgaria and their recent admission.

The Swiss have faced EU and international pressure to reduce [[banking secrecy]] and raise tax rates to parity with the EU. Preparatory discussions involved four areas: the electricity market, participation in project [[Galileo positioning system|Galileo]], cooperating with the [[European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control]] and certificates of origin for food products.<ref>[http://www.europa.admin.ch/themen/00499/00503/index.html?lang=en Switzerland and the European Union] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815075936/http://www.europa.admin.ch/themen/00499/00503/index.html?lang=en |date=15 August 2010}} europa.admin.ch. Retrieved on 25 January 2010.</ref>{{Update inline|date=March 2023}}

Switzerland is a member of the Schengen passport-free zone. Land [[border checkpoint]]s monitor goods movements, but not people.<ref>[http://www.euronews.net/2008/12/11/switzerland-in-schengen-end-to-passport-checks/ Switzerland in Schengen: end to passport checks] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523154739/http://www.euronews.net/2008/12/11/switzerland-in-schengen-end-to-passport-checks/ |date=23 May 2009}} euronews.net. Retrieved on 25 January 2010.</ref>