Procedure completed
2015/2061(INI) EEA-Switzerland: obstacles with regard to the full implementation of the internal market
Lead committee dossier: IMCO/8/02964
Legal Basis RoP 052
| Role | Committee | Rapporteur | Shadows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opinion | EMPL | SANDER Anne (EPP) | |
| Lead | IMCO | SCHWAB Andreas (EPP) | GRAPINI Maria (S&D), TREBESIUS Ulrike (ECR), TØRNÆS Ulla (ALDE), DURAND Pascal (Verts/ALE) |
| Opinion | ITRE |
Legal Basis RoP 052
Activites
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2015/09/09
Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
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T8-0313/2015
summary
The European Parliament adopted by 482 votes to 116 with 48 abstentions, a resolution entitled ‘EEA-Switzerland: Obstacles with regard to the full implementation of the internal market’. To recall, the four European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states (Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) constitute major trade partners of the European Union (EU), Switzerland and Norway being respectively the fourth and the fifth most important EU trade partners by volume. Relations between the EU and three EFTA member states (Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway) are based on the European Economic Area (EEA), which provides for participation in the internal market. Switzerland’s participation in the EEA Agreement was contested by a popular vote in 1992 and therefore relations between Switzerland and the EU are currently based on more than 100 sectoral agreements that provide for a far-reaching degree of integration. Implementation of Single Market legislation: Parliament considered the EEA Agreement a key factor for economic growth and the most far-reaching, comprehensive instrument to extend the single market to third countries. Strong relations between the EU, the EEA EFTA countries and Switzerland went beyond economic integration and the extension of the single market, and contributed to stability and prosperity to the benefit of all citizens and businesses. Members welcomed the considerable efforts made with regard to improving the swift incorporation of the relevant EU acquis into the EEA Agreement. They pointed out that the EEA EFTA states were involved in many EU programmes and agencies and in practical cooperation measures, such as the Internal Market Information System (SOLVIT). Parliament stressed that single market legislation must be properly transposed, implemented and enforced in order to bring about its full benefits in the EU Member States and EEA EFTA states. Transposition deficits: Parliament was concerned by the facts that (i) Liechtenstein’s transposition deficit increased from 0.7 % to 1.2 %; (ii) Iceland (a candidate country) had a transposition deficit of 2.8 %, which was the highest of all the states concerned; (iii) Norway’s transposition deficit had increased to 2%. However, Members welcomed the opening of negotiations on association agreements with the Principality of Andorra, Principality of Monaco, and Republic of San Marino. Swiss Confederation: commending the strong, continuously flourishing and longstanding relations between the EU and Switzerland, the resolution welcomed the opening of the negotiations in May 2014 for an institutional framework as a precondition for the further development of a bilateral approach. It stressed that without such a framework agreement no further agreements on Swiss participation in the internal market would be concluded. The Swiss Government was urged to step up its efforts to progress with the negotiations on the outstanding issues. Members took note of the outcome of the popular initiative of 9 February 2014 ‘Against Mass Immigration’, but considered that the decisions taken on 11 February 2015 by the Swiss Federal Council in relation to its implementation of a draft implementing law and new flanking measures ran counter to obligations stemming from the Free Movement of Persons Agreement (FMPA). Parliament reiterated that the free movement of persons was one of the fundamental freedoms and a pillar of the single market and that the latter always had been an inseparable part of and precondition for the bilateral approach between the EU and Switzerland. Accordingly, it fully supported the EU’s rejection of July 2014 of the Swiss Authorities’ request to renegotiate the FMPA with a view to introducing a quota or a national preference system. It noted with concern reports concerning the application by some firms and cantons of a national preference system, and pointed out that such a practice was at odds with the agreement on freedom of movement. Stressing that reciprocity and fairness between the EEA and Switzerland were necessary with regard to their use of the single market, Parliament deplored the introduction and subsequent consolidation of unilateral flanking measures by Switzerland in the context of the agreement on the free movement of persons, such as the charging of fees to cover administrative costs, the requirement to give bank guarantees or a combination of such measures, as these were seriously hampering the provision of services in Switzerland under the agreement, in particular by SMEs. Parliament called on Switzerland, accordingly, to revise these measures in order to bring them into line with the agreement on freedom of movement. Moreover, following the suspension of the negotiations on Swiss participation in the ERASMUS+ programme, Parliament called on Switzerland and the EU to make every effort to satisfy the requirements laid down for their participation in the programme. Regarding the implementation in 2013 of Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications, Members recalled that this was long overdue and called for a swift incorporation of Directive 2013/55/EU in the annex to the agreement on freedom of movement. Lastly, Parliament called for the obstacles to cross-border professional mobility to be removed in order to deepen the internal market. It stressed, to that end, the importance of promoting language learning and providing better information and practical support to jobseekers, in particular through the EURES network, in Switzerland and in all the EEA countries.
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T8-0313/2015
summary
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2015/07/24
Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
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A8-0244/2015
summary
The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection adopted an own-initiative report by Andreas SCHWAB (EPP, DE) entitled ‘EEA-Switzerland: Obstacles with regard to the full implementation of the internal market’. To recall, the four European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states (Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) constitute major trade partners of the European Union (EU), Switzerland and Norway being respectively the fourth and the fifth most important EU trade partners by volume. Relations between the EU and three EFTA member states (Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway) are based on the European Economic Area (EEA), which provides for participation in the internal market. Switzerland’s participation in the EEA Agreement was contested by a popular vote in 1992 and therefore relations between Switzerland and the EU are currently based on more than 100 sectoral agreements that provide for a far-reaching degree of integration. Implementation of Single Market legislation: Members considered the EEA Agreement a key factor for economic growth and the most far-reaching, comprehensive instrument to extend the single market to third countries. Strong relations between the EU, the EEA EFTA countries and Switzerland went beyond economic integration and the extension of the single market, and contributed to stability and prosperity to the benefit of all citizens and businesses. The report welcomed the considerable efforts made with regard to improving the swift incorporation of the relevant EU acquis into the EEA Agreement. It pointed out that the EEA EFTA states were involved in many EU programmes and agencies and in practical cooperation measures, such as the Internal Market Information System (SOLVIT). Members stressed that single market legislation must be properly transposed, implemented and enforced in order to bring about its full benefits in the EU Member States and EEA EFTA states. The committee was concerned by the facts that (i) Liechtenstein’s transposition deficit increased from 0.7 % to 1.2 %; (ii) Iceland (a candidate country) had a transposition deficit of 2.8 %, which was the highest of all the states concerned; (iii) Norway’s transposition deficit had increased to 2%. However, Members welcomed the opening of negotiations on association agreements with the Principality of Andorra, Principality of Monaco, and Republic of San Marino. Swiss Confederation: commending the strong, continuously flourishing and longstanding relations between the EU and Switzerland, the report welcomed the opening of the negotiations in May 2014 for an institutional framework as a precondition for the further development of a bilateral approach. It stressed that without such a framework agreement no further agreements on Swiss participation in the internal market would be concluded. The Swiss Government was urged to step up its efforts to progress with the negotiations on the outstanding issues. Members took note of the outcome of the popular initiative of 9 February 2014 ‘Against Mass Immigration’, but considered that the decisions taken on 11 February 2015 by the Swiss Federal Council in relation to its implementation of a draft implementing law and new flanking measures ran counter to obligations stemming from the Free Movement of Persons Agreement (FMPA). They reiterated that the free movement of persons was one of the fundamental freedoms and a pillar of the single market and that it always had been an inseparable part of and precondition for the bilateral approach between the EU and Switzerland. Accordingly, they fully supported the EU’s rejection of July 2014 of the Swiss Authorities’ request to renegotiate the FMPA with a view to introducing a quota or a national preference system. Moreover, following the suspension of the negotiations on Swiss participation in the ERASMUS+ programme, the report called on Switzerland and the EU to make every effort to satisfy the requirements laid down for their participation in the programme. Regarding the implementation in 2013 of Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications, the committee recalled that this was long overdue and called for a swift incorporation of Directive 2013/55/EU in the annex to the agreement on freedom of movement. Lastly, it called for the obstacles to cross-border professional mobility to be removed in order to deepen the internal market. Members stressed, to that end, the importance of promoting language learning and providing better information and practical support to jobseekers, in particular through the EURES network, in Switzerland and in all the EEA countries.
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A8-0244/2015
summary
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2015/07/16
Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
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2015/03/12
Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
Documents
- Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading: A8-0244/2015
- Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T8-0313/2015
| Amendments | Dossier |
| 103 |
2015/2061(INI)
2015/05/12
EMPL
94 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1.
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 11 Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Takes note of the result of the popular initiative of 9 February 2014; calls,
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Considers the EEA Agreement a key
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Takes note of the result of the popular initiative of 9 February 2014
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Considers the EEA
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Takes note of the result of the popular initiative of 9 February 2014; calls, however, on Switzerland to respect its obligations with the EU; calls on the European Union to remain firm on the fundamental principle of free movement of persons so that Switzerland continues to grant privileged access to Union workers and enterprises;
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Acknowledges that the strong relations between the EU, the EEA EFTA countries and Switzerland go beyond economic integration and the extension of the Single Market, and contribute to stability and prosperity to the benefit of all citizens and businesses; underlines the importance of ensuring
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3.
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Acknowledges that the strong relations between the EU, the EEA EFTA countries and Switzerland go beyond economic integration and the extension of the Single Market, and contribute to stability and prosperity to the benefit of all citizens and businesses; underlines the importance of ensuring the proper functioning of the Single Market in order to create a level playing field and generate new jobs;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Takes note of the result of the popular initiative of 9 February 2014; calls, however, on the European Union to remain absolutely firm on the fundamental principle of free movement of persons so that Switzerland continues to grant privileged access to Union workers and enterprises;
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Acknowledges that the strong relations between the EU, the EEA EFTA countries and Switzerland go beyond economic integration and the extension of the Single Market, and contribute to stability and prosperity to the benefit of all citizens and businesses, including SMEs; underlines the importance of ensuring the proper functioning of the Single Market in order to create a level playing field;
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Stresses that the
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Notes with concern that according to the EEA EFTA States Internal Market Scoreboard, the current average transposition deficit of the three EFTA states has increased to
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Stresses that the unilateral measures taken by Switzerland in favour of Croatian nationals cannot in any way replace the required ratification of the Protocol extending the FMPA to include Croatia;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Notes with concern that according to the EEA EFTA States Internal Market Scoreboard, the current average transposition deficit of the three EFTA states has increased to
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Stresses that the unilateral measures taken by Switzerland in favour of Croatian nationals cannot replace the required ratification of the Protocol extending the FMPA to include Croatia; urges Switzerland to ratify this Protocol without delay;
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Points out that the EEA EFTA states are involved in many EU programmes and agencies and in practical cooperation measures, such as the Internal Market Information System or SOLVIT, and contribute to EU cohesion through the EEA and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism; takes the view that this cooperation fosters the effective functioning of an enlarged Single Market;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Calls on the Commission and Switzerland to make every effort to achieve progress in the negotiations on
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 Amendment 19 #
5.
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Considers that timely and as close to simultaneously as possible implementation of the relevant Single Market legislation by the EEA EFTA states is essential and that this process could be
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Welcomes the participation of the EEA countries and Switzerland in the European Union’s internal market, which will promote growth, competitiveness and job creation, although it has yet to produce the results expected of it;
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 13 Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Calls on Switzerland to make every effort to achieve progress in the negotiations on its participation in the Erasmus+ programme, in order to guarantee exchange reciprocity and not penalise young people and also to promote the access of researchers to Horizon 2020 funding;
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 Amendment 21 #
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Stresses that the backlog of legal acts pending incorporation remains a concern, and therefore urges the EEA EFTA states, in close collaboration with the EU, to step up their efforts in order to uphold the integrity of the Single Market;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Calls for the obstacles to cross-border professional mobility to be removed in order to deepen the internal market; stresses, to that end, the importance of promoting language learning and providing better information and practical support to jobseekers, in particular through the EURES network, in Switzerland and in all the EEA countries.
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Stresses that the backlog of legal acts pending incorporation remains a concern, and therefore urges the EEA EFTA states in close co-operation with the EU to step up their efforts in order to uphold the integrity of the Single Market;
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Calls for all the obstacles to cross-border professional mobility to be removed in order to deepen the internal market; stresses, to that end, the importance of promoting language learning and providing better information and support to jobseekers, in particular through the EURES network, in Switzerland and in all the EEA countries.
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Stresses that the backlog of legal acts pending incorporation remains a concern, and therefore urges the EEA EFTA states to step up their efforts in close cooperation with the EU in order to uphold the integrity of the Single Market;
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Stresses the need to identify a broad range of emerging industries and key growth sectors on which the EEA countries, Switzerland and the Member States should focus on developing their skills base;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Acknowledges that prior agreement by all the EEA EFTA states regarding the determination of EEA-relevance is necessary and that technical adaptations may be required before incorporation; is concerned, however, that increasing requests for adaptations and exceptions are leading to unnecessary delays
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Calls on the Commission and Switzerland to enhance transparency with regards to the negotiations and the status of the agreements.
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Acknowledges that prior agreement by all the EEA EFTA states regarding the determination of EEA-relevance is necessary and that technical adaptations may be required before incorporation; is concerned, however, that increasing requests for adaptations and exceptions are leading to unnecessary delays and fragmenting the Single Market; strongly calls on these countries to
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Welcomes Switzerland’s active involvement in EURES network activities, in particular in cross-border regions; calls on Switzerland to continue to build up its transnational and cross-border EURES services, in accordance with Implementing Decision 2012/733/EU of 26 November 2012 and the EURES Regulation currently under revision, with a view to enhancing worker mobility and creating a genuinely integrated employment market between the EU and Switzerland.
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Acknowledges that prior agreement by all the EEA EFTA states regarding the determination of EEA-relevance is necessary and that technical adaptations may be required before incorporation; is concerned, however, that
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 b (new) 6b. Notes the unilateral introduction and subsequent consolidation of flanking measures by Switzerland in the context of the Agreement on the free movement of persons; views it as regrettable that some of those measures place restrictions on the provision of services under the agreement and hit SMEs wishing to provide services in Switzerland particularly hard; calls accordingly on Switzerland to review those measures in order to make sure that they are consistent with the Agreement on the free movement of workers.
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Acknowledges that prior agreement by all the EEA EFTA states regarding the determination of EEA-relevance is necessary and that technical adaptations may be required before incorporation; is concerned, however, that increasing requests for adaptations and exceptions
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 a (new) 7a. Points out that since the signing of the EEA agreement the EU has resorted to an increased use of agencies; welcomes that the EEA EFTA states participate in the operations of these agencies; calls on the EEA EFTA states and the European Commission to continue to improve this cooperation and participation;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 a (new) 7a. Points out that the EU and the USA are currently negotiating a comprehensive free trade and investment agreement; emphasises that, under the terms of the EEA Agreement, the EEA EFTA states apply single market rules and that the impact of a successful trade and investment partnership would probably also affect the EEA EFTA states; emphasises, further, that the conclusion of TTIP must not lead to new trade barriers being set up between the EU and the EEA EFTA states;
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 22 Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 b (new) 7b. Recalls that a comprehensive free trade and investment agreement is currently being negotiated between the European Union and the United States; notes that the EEA EFTA states are affected by the decisions made in the TTIP; asks for a close dialogue between EEA EFTA States and the EU in order to avoid new trade barriers and ensure the working of the single market;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Welcomes the fact that Liechtenstein reduced its transposition deficit from 1 % to 0.7 %, which is below the deficit target; is concerned, however, by the fact that its legislation concerning the entry and residence rights of certain family members of EEA nationals and the restrictions imposed on EEA nationals residing in Liechtenstein from taking up employment in another EEA state does not seem to be fully in line with EEA law; calls on the Principality of Liechtenstein accordingly to align its legislation regarding right of entry and residence and the restrictions imposed on EEA citizens resident in Liechtenstein seeking to take up employment in another EEA country;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8.
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8.
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Takes note of the letter of 12 March 2015 sent by the Icelandic Government on its position as a candidate country for EU membership; strongly urges Iceland to step up its efforts to fulfil its obligations under the EEA Agreement given that it has a transposition deficit of
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Takes note of the letter of 12 March 2015 sent by the Icelandic Government on its position as a candidate country for EU membership; strongly urges Iceland to step up its efforts to fulfil its obligations under the EEA Agreement given that it has a transposition deficit of
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Welcomes the fact that Norway, with whom ties have strengthened over the past years, is part of the Frontrunners initiative, which aims to improve t
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Welcomes the fact that Norway, with whom ties have strengthened over the past years, is part of the Frontrunners initiative, which aims to improve the Single Market; notes, however, that the transposition deficit has increased to 2% and urges Norway to step up its efforts in this regard in particular with a view to completing the internal energy market;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Welcomes the fact that Norway, with whom ties have strengthened over the past years, is part of the Frontrunners initiative, which aims to improve the Single Market; notes, however, that the transposition deficit has increased to 2.0 % and urges Norway to step up its efforts in this regard in particular with a view to completing the internal energy market;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Calls on the EEA countries and Switzerland to
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 22 a (new) - having regard to the European Economic Area Joint Parliamentary Committee resolution of 17 March 2015 on Industrial Policy in Europe,
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Welcomes the fact that Norway, with whom ties have strengthened over the past years, is part of the Frontrunners initiative, which aims to improve the Single Market;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Acknowledges that closer relations could bring mutual benefits in particular at regional and local levels in neighbouring EU regions, and therefore welcomes the opening of negotiations on association agreements
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11a. Recalls that, in the context of negotiations with those regions, the EU must take into account the opinions of States and respect all popular initiatives on which votes are taken; underlines likewise that, in the case of agreements, the EU should not attempt to impose its functioning and its conditions but should at all times respect the sovereignty of States and guarantee their national specificities;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution Subheading 7 Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Commends the strong, continuously flourishing and longstanding relations between the EU and Switzerland, which have contributed to peace, prosperity and growth in Europe over the past decades; is convinced that these relations can be deepened to the benefit of both Parties
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Commends the strong, continuously flourishing and longstanding relations between the EU and Switzerland, which have contributed to peace, prosperity and growth in Europe over the past decades; is convinced that these relations can be deepened to the benefit of both Parties by comprehensively revising the sectoral agreements
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 a (new) 12a. Takes the view that the framework provisions governing the involvement of Switzerland with the EU are contained in the bilateral sectoral agreements concluded between them; notes that the measures restricting the free movement of persons adopted by referendum in Switzerland are creating an imbalance and undermining the benefits of the agreements for the EU Member States;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 a (new) 12a. Underlines the democratic legitimacy of referenda and the need to respect the outcome whilst adhering to the rule of law;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 b (new) 12b. Takes not of the result of the popular initiative of 9 February 2014; calls upon the Commission to work with Switzerland and the member States to find a satisfactory solution that takes into consideration the outcome of this vote whilst respecting the provisions of the concerned agreements;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Welcomes in this context the opening of the negotiations in May 2014 for an institutional framework as a precondition for the further development of a bilateral approach;
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Calls on the EEA countries and Switzerland to continue their efforts to transpose
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 22 b (new) - having regard to the European Economic Area Joint Parliamentary Committee resolution of 17 March 2015 on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and its possible implications for the EEA EFTA States,
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Welcomes in this context the opening of the negotiations in May 2014 for an institutional framework as a precondition for the further development of a bilateral approach; stresses that without such a framework agreement no further agreements on Swiss participation in the internal market
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Welcomes in this context the opening of the negotiations in May 2014 for an institutional framework as a precondition for the further development of a bilateral approach; stresses that
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Takes note of the outcome of the referendum of 9 February 2014 on the ‘Against Mass Immigration’ popular initiative and the decisions taken on 11 February 2015 by the Swiss Federal Council in relation to its implementation of a draft implementing law and new flanking measures;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14.
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14.
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14.
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Takes note of the outcome of the referendum of 9 February 2014 on the ‘Against Mass Immigration’ popular initiative and the decisions taken on 11 February 2015 by the Swiss Federal Council in relation to its implementation of a draft implementing law and new flanking measures; expects Switzerland to respect its obligations in particular those stemming from the Free Movement of Persons Agreement (FMPA); points out that the question of migration of citizens from third countries should not be confused with the free movement of persons as enshrined in the Treaties; notes in this respect that Switzerland has introduced unilateral measures in order to avoid discrimination against Croatian citizens but considers that these measures fall short of the Protocol extending the FMPA to include Croatia and that ratifying that Protocol would also clear the way for Switzerland's involvement in the Horizon 2020 programme to continue and be extended;
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Reiterates that the free movement of persons is one of the fundamental freedoms and a pillar of the Single Market and that it always has been an inseparable part of and precondition for the bilateral approach between the EU and Switzerland; therefore fully supports the EU’s rejection of July 2014 of the Swiss Authorities’ request to renegotiate the FMPA with a view to introducing a quota or a national preference system; notes with concern reports concerning the application by some firms and cantons of a national preference system, and points out that such a practice is at odds with the agreement on freedom of movement;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15.
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Calls for negotiations to be continued with Switzerland with a view to concluding an institutional agreement that will provide greater legal certainty for both Switzerland and the EU and help Switzerland to take over the necessary EU legislation;
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 23 Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15.
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 a (new) 15a. Urges that the current practice whereby taxi firms from EU Member States can provide services in Switzerland without restriction should continue, as it has long contributed to economic development in Swiss border regions and is mutually beneficial;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 b (new) 15b. Calls on the Commission to scrutinise more closely the implications of the purchase and leasing of land by Swiss farmers in EU border regions;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 c (new) 15c. Deplores the introduction and subsequent tightening-up by Switzerland of unilateral flanking measures, such as the charging of fees to cover administrative costs, the requirement to constitute bonds or a combination of such measures, as these are seriously hampering the provision of services, in particular by SMUs, in Switzerland under the agreement; calls on Switzerland to revise these measures in order to bring them into line with the agreement on freedom of movement;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Takes the view that the implementation in 2013 of Directive 2005/36 on the recognition of professional qualifications was long overdue and calls for a swift
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 a (new) 16a. Takes the view that reciprocity and fairness between the EEA and Switzerland are necessary with regard to their use of the single market.
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 a (new) 16a. Calls on the Commission, in future, to consider all the implications for EU regions bordering on Switzerland of the introduction of new rules, such as the recent amendment of Article 561 of the regulation implementing the Customs Code to impose tight restrictions on the use for private purposes by employees resident on the customs territory of the EU of company cars registered in a third country;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 b (new) 16b. Notes that in overall terms cooperation under the Agreement on mutual recognition in relation to conformity assessment (MRA) is satisfactory, but that the functioning of the agreement could be substantially improved if Switzerland were to pledge to update it consistently in line with developments in EU law;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 b (new) 2b. Notes that Annex II to the Agreement on the free movement of persons was updated recently with a view to securing more effective coordination of EU and Swiss social security systems; calls on Switzerland to continue to implement EU law as it is required to do;
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 24 - having regard to the 3
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Underlines the democratic legitimacy of referenda and the need to respect the outcome whilst adhering to the rule of law;
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 25 Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Takes note of the result of the popular initiative of 9 February 2014; calls
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas Switzerland’s participation in the EEA Agreement was sovereignly contested by a popular vote in 1992 and therefore relations between Switzerland and the EU are currently based on more than 100 sectoral agreements that provide for a far-
source: 557.186
2015/06/22
EMPL
9 amendments...
Amendment A #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Welcomes the participation of the EEA countries and Switzerland in the European Union internal market, which will promote growth, competitiveness and job creation;
Amendment B #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Calls on the EEA countries and Switzerland to continue and step up their efforts to transpose, fully implement and enforce internal market legislation; calls on Switzerland to ensure that Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications is fully implemented and to rapidly transpose Directive 2013/55/EU
Amendment C #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Calls for negotiations to be continued with Switzerland with a view to conclude an institutional framework that will provide greater legal certainty for both Switzerland and the EU and help Switzerland to incorporate the necessary EU legislation; calls on the Commission and Switzerland to keep the European Parliament informed of the progress of the negotiations;
Amendment D #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3.
Amendment E #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Stresses that the unilateral measures taken by Switzerland in favour of Croatian nationals cannot replace the required ratification of the Protocol extending the FMPA to include Croatia; encourages therefore Switzerland to ratify this Protocol without delay;
Amendment F #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment G #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 a (new) 5a. Notes that Switzerland and the EU signed an agreement on partial association to Horizon 2020 which has provisionally been in effect since 15 September 2014 and which will initially run until the end of 2016; encourages Switzerland to make every effort to satisfy the requirements laid down for its full participation to Horizon 2020 from 2017, in order to ensure researchers' employment rights and contracts and to promote the access of researchers to Horizon 2020 funding;
Amendment H #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 b (new) 5b. Notes the unilateral introduction and subsequent consolidation of flanking measures by Switzerland in the context of the Agreement on the free movement of persons; views it as regrettable that some of those measures place restrictions on the provision of services under the agreement and hit SMEs wishing to provide services in Switzerland particularly hard; calls accordingly on Switzerland to review those measures in order to make sure that they are consistent with the Agreement on the free movement of workers;
Amendment I #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Calls for the obstacles to cross-border professional mobility to be removed in order to deepen the internal market; stresses, to that end, the importance of promoting language learning and providing better information and practical support to jobseekers, in particular through the EURES network, in Switzerland and in all the EEA countries; welcomes therefore Switzerland’s active involvement in EURES network activities, in particular in cross-border regions; calls on Switzerland to continue to build up its transnational and cross-border EURES services, in accordance with the ongoing EURES Regulation with a view to enhancing worker mobility and creating a genuinely integrated employment market between the EU and Switzerland; in order to enhance worker mobility, encourages also to identify a broad range of emerging industries and key growth sectors on which the EEA countries, Switzerland and the Member States should focus on developing their skills base, in order to better match skills and qualifications with supply and demand.
source: 560.617
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