Bilateral relations between Switzerland and the European Union changed little in 2007 despite a highly publicised disagreement over Swiss tax practices. But tensions could rise in the new year if Swiss voters are called to the polls to decide whether to extend a free movement of people accord to the latest EU members, Romania and Bulgaria. 2007 was a "transition" year, according to René Schwok, political science professor at the European Institute of Geneva University."The year was to a certain degree abnormal: No key agreements came into force and no initiatives on EU themes were launched," Schwok told swissinfo."The only important issue was the dispute over corporate tax breaks offered by some Swiss cantons."
But tensions could rise in the new year if Swiss voters are called to the polls to decide whether to extend a free movement of people accord to the latest EU members, Romania and Bulgaria.
2007 was a "transition" year, according to René Schwok, political science professor at the European Institute of Geneva University.
"The year was to a certain degree abnormal: No key agreements came into force and no initiatives on EU themes were launched," Schwok told swissinfo.
"The only important issue was the dispute over corporate tax breaks offered by some Swiss cantons."
On 5 June 2005, Swiss voters agreed, by a 55% majority, to join the Schengen treaty, a result that was regarded by EU commentators as a sign of support by Switzerland, a country that is traditionally perceived as isolationist. The agreement should come into effect in November 2008.
It's annoying and I don't like border controls anyway, but that's the way it works. We have met the enemy, and he is us — Pogo
Implementation is down to the member states. We have met the enemy, and he is us — Pogo
Some of the smaller ones you just drive or walk through, sometimes they are not even maned. The one at the autobahn, has sort of a custom control, but usually they just wave you through. I can not remember the last time I have been checked.
The French look at you severely, but wave you through most of the time also and again smaller crossings are most of the time not manned.
Maybe Italy just needs to find jobs for the border police and the Swiss border is the last remaining land border that can be manned. We have met the enemy, and he is us — Pogo
up to a short while ago, traveling to Italy through the Great St.Bernhard has been easy,
As for blocking illegal exportation of capital such as mafia laundering or Berlusconi shadey deals, it's usually left to police intelligence.
