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European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso warned Switzerland on Thursday that
it risks loosing access to the European single market if it continues with plans to restrict
EU immigration.
Barroso's comments came after the Swiss government said on Wednesday it will draft legislation
to limit immigration by the end of the year.
We will not negotiate the free movement of persons principle. It's a complete element.
We may not negotiate it. We are not ready to tie up the package again, to makeshift
repair. The Federal Council has to take a decision now. Then we will may discuss over
it, but in the respect of the essential principles.
50.3% of Swiss citizens voted yes to reintroducing immigration quotas on EU citizens, in a controversial
referendum tabled by a Swiss right-wing party. The Commission urged the Swiss government
to come up with a solution to turn the vote into law while respecting its current agreements
with the EU. It's Switzerland who has to bring us solutions.
That's why, it's not to me or to the Commission to present solutions. We face now a situation
where Switzerland may have difficulties to make respect the agreement they signed with
the European Union.
So, it's not fair that Europe offers these conditions to Switzerland and that Switzerland
doesn't offer the same conditions. There is an international agreement between Switzerland
and the European Union which has to be respected.
A Swiss delegation is due to come to Brussels next Thursday to hold talks with EU officials.