Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland has a population of 7.3 million and an area of 41,285 km2. As a confederation, it consist of 26 sovereign states, the cantons. The Swiss have an advanced direct democracy with corresponding political rights.
It has negotiated seven bilateral agreements between it and the EU since the people rejected membership of the EEA in an obligatory referendum in 1992. Switzerland is a member of EFTA.
Its federal government has applied for EU membership. Although it already sent an application for membership to the EU and the application has not been withdrawn, it is on hold as the Swiss citizens rejected the beginning of accession negotiations in another of their referendums.
From 2009 Switzerland, participate in the Schengen cooperation with joint borders with the EU member states. Geographically Switzerland and neighbouring Liechtenstein are EFTA “islands” in the middle of the EU.
Links
http://www.admin.ch/index.html?lang=en
