WRITTEN QUESTION E-0270/00 by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Council. Functioning of the internal employment market between the EU and Switzerland.
C 303 E/168 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 24. 10. 2000 it should be emphasised that it is not for the Presidency to prejudge the role of the In conclusion, Commission, whose powers are defined in the Treaties. Any questions relating to role of the Commission in the promotion of the European dimension of Education should be addressed to that institution. (1) Doc 5256/00. (2) OJ C 8, 12. 1. 2000, p. 6. (2000/C 303 E/188) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0270/00 by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Council (8 February 2000) Subject: Functioning of the internal employment market between the EU and Switzerland A European citizen, Kosta Parlavanzas, has submitted a substantial set of documents in which it is stated that Switzerland pursues a deliberate, systematic policy of restricting employment opportunities for foreign workers to a period of between 20 and 30 years, after which they are sent back to their country of origin with no transfer of pension rights. Does the Council consider it possible or desirable for relations between the EU and Switzerland to continue and to be deepened (particularly in the context of the European Economic Area) if the latter country fails to implement the basic employment rules of the single market? Reply (10/11 April 2000) 1. Although Switzerland took part in the negotiations for the EEA Agreement, it is not part of the European Economic Area (EEA) because, by referendum in December 1992, the majority of the Swiss people rejected the Agreement. As a result, Switzerland was unable to ratify it and become a member of the EEA, and the rules of the singe market do not apply to it. 2. Essentially, relations between the European Union and Switzerland are now governed by the Free Trade Agreement of 1972 (1). The Agreement, concluded at the time of the first enlargement of the EEC, focuses exclusively on consolidating and extending existing economic relations between the EEC and Switzerland and ensuring the harmonious development of their respective trade. The Swiss Confederation has, however, concluded a number of Conventions with various Member States of the European Union regulating bilaterally certain sectoral aspects of the free movement of persons and in particular the coordination of the social security system. 3. The Council considers that the best approach in order to obviate situations such as those put forward by the Honourable Member will be precisely to maintain and strengthen relations between the European Union and Switzerland. To this end, on 21 June 1999 the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other, signed an Agreement on the free movement of persons. The Council considers that promoting closer relations between Switzerland and the European 4. Community, as sought by the agreements signed, obviously substantially improves the situation of nationals of Member States of the Community in Switzerland, and that the Agreement on the free movement of persons is an essential aspect of new relations with Switzerland in the future. The Council of the European Union hopes that this Agreement, along with the other six signed with 5. the Swiss Confederation on the same date, can enter into force as soon as possible. (1) OJ L 300, 31. 12. 1972, p. 189