Swiss president: Efforts advance with EU on bilateral deals

GENEVA – The Swiss president says “things are moving” in efforts to improve ties with the European Union after a Swiss referendum three years ago to limit immigration soured bilateral relations.

Doris Leuthard said in an interview with the “24 Heures” newspaper that Switzerland will hold out for the right agreement — even wait a year if necessary — in its efforts to patch up stalled bilateral deals.

The interview came ahead of a meeting Thursday between Leuthard, who holds the rotating Swiss presidency this year, and European Union president Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels.

Leuthard decried what she called a “false” reputation in the EU that Switzerland, which is not an EU member, only chooses the most favourable deals for the Alpine country with the 28-member bloc.