Bilateral Agreements I and II
Bilateral agreements - agreements between two partners - here Bilateral Agreements I and II between Switzerland and the EU, and in those areas only on which they negotiate and put down in writing their agreed coooperation.
Swiss voters so far did not agree - in obligatory referendums - to join the European Economic Area (EEA), nor did they agree - in facultative referendums, called by popular initiative - to begin negotiations on Swiss EU accession.
The method of bilateral agreements - which may also be subject to referendums - is at present considered by the majority of Swiss to be the only one respecting their interests and rights.
Instead of adopting EU regulations and decisions, the Swiss negotiate cooperation with the EU in the same way as most countries in the world do.
Links
See also initiative, referendum, bilateral agreement.