On the draft Council decision on the conclusion of a broad package of agreements between the European Union, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other part, to consolidate, deepen and expand the bilateral relations, and amending Decisions 2011/51/EU and 2011/738/EU

Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur declares that he included in his report input on matters pertaining to the subject of the file that he received, in the preparation of the report, prior to the adoption thereof in committee, from the following interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from the following representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies:

The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur.

Where natural persons are identified in the list by their name, by their function or by both, the rapporteur declares that he has submitted to the natural persons concerned the European Parliament's Data Protection Notice No 484 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/data-protect/index.do), which sets out the conditions applicable to the processing of their personal data and the rights linked to that processing.

12.5.2026

for the Committee on Foreign Affairs

on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of a broad package of agreements between the European Union, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other part, to consolidate, deepen and expand their bilateral relations, and amending Decisions 2011/51/EU and 2011/738/EU

(10643/2025 – C100075/2026 – 2025/0162(NLE))

Rapporteur for opinion: Željana Zovko

Switzerland is a like-minded and strategic partner of the European Union, with deeply integrated economies and closely interconnected markets. The EU and Switzerland are also important partners in international fora like the World Trade Organisation (WTO), where they share a strong commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system. In addition, EU and Switzerland are facing a growing number of common challenges, including Russia’s aggression of Ukraine, economic security issues and unfair competition from non-market economies.

The modernised EU–Switzerland package establishes a stable, forward-looking framework that reflects this high level of integration and adapts it to current economic and geopolitical realities. By enabling frictionless access to a market of 460 million consumers, reducing technical barriers and aligning standards in key sectors, the package enhances legal certainty and facilitates trade, including in areas such as medical devices and agri-food products. It also strengthens cross-border supply chains and provides clearer and more consistent rules for individuals living, working or studying across the EU–Swiss border.

The EU accounts for around 53% of Switzerland’s total trade, while Switzerland remains one of the EU’s top global trading partners. In 2024, bilateral trade in goods reached €328.3 billion, with EU exports of €193.4 billion and a surplus of €58.6 billion. Investment ties are equally significant, with EU companies accounting for more than two-thirds of foreign direct investment in Switzerland, while Swiss investments in the EU amount to approximately €588 billion. The EU is Switzerland’s principal trading partner in services as well. In 2023, total bilateral trade in services reached €245 billion, accounting for nearly 9% of the EU’s total trade in services and for 40% of Swiss exports and 45% of imports.

In a context of growing global uncertainty, the deepening and modernisation of relations with a trusted, like-minded partner contributes to strengthening economic resilience, securing supply chains and reinforcing a rules-based international trading system.

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The Committee on International Trade calls on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, as the committee responsible, to recommend approval of the draft Council decision on the conclusion of a broad package of agreements to consolidate, deepen and expand the bilateral relations with the Swiss Confederation.

Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur for opinion declares that she included in her opinion input on matters pertaining to the subject of the file that she received, in the preparation of the opinion, prior to the adoption thereof in committee, from the following interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from the following representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies:

The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur for opinion.

Where natural persons are identified in the list by their name, by their function or by both, the rapporteur for opinion declares that she has submitted to the natural persons concerned the European Parliament's Data Protection Notice No 484 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/data-protect/index.do), which sets out the conditions applicable to the processing of their personal data and the rights linked to that processing.

for the Committee on Foreign Affairs

on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of a broad package of agreements between the European Union, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other part, to consolidate, deepen and expand their bilateral relations, and amending Decisions 2011/51/EU and 2011/738/EU

(10643/2025 – C100075/2026 – 2025/0162(NLE))

Rapporteur for opinion:Adam Jarubas

The Committee on Public Health gives its consent and supports the broad package of agreements to consolidate, deepen, and expand bilateral relations with the Swiss Confederation. Within this extensive package, two specific documents bear legal effect and form the basis for this committee's opinion: the Agreement on health, and the Amending Protocol to the Agreement on mutual recognition in relation to conformity assessment. These texts establish binding institutional frameworks, rules, and mutual obligations, explicitly governing EU-Swiss cooperation on cross-border health crisis preparedness, disease prevention, and the rigorous regulatory oversight of medical devices and pharmaceuticals.

Forming the primary basis for our endorsement is the Agreement on health. The Committee welcomes this dedicated agreement because it establishes a robust, legally binding framework for health security cooperation to prepare for, and respond to, serious cross-border threats to health. Crucially, it ensures a consistently high level of surveillance by integrating Switzerland as a full rights user of the EU's Early Warning and Response System (EWRS). Furthermore, it strengthens our collective supply chain during health crises by including Switzerland in the EU's joint procurement procedures for medical countermeasures, and it grants them full participation in the EU Health Security Committee, albeit without voting rights.

Additionally, this core agreement secures Switzerland’s structural participation in the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), which is a core agency under this committee's remit. Switzerland will contribute financially to the agency and participate fully in its Advisory Forum and operational networks, as well as its Management Board, though explicitly without the right to vote in the latter. This deep integration ensures that both the Union and Switzerland can effectively prevent and respond to shared health threats.

The other central pillar of our endorsement is the Amending Protocol on mutual recognition in relation to conformity assessment. This protocol directly relates to the Committee on Public Health's competences regarding pharmaceuticals and medical devices. The committee welcomes this protocol because it updates mutual recognition mechanisms to avoid the duplication of procedures while certifying conformity to respective requirements for products placed on the market. Specifically, it formally grants Switzerland observer status in the Committee on Medical Devices and the Medical Device Coordination Group (MDCG), established under Regulation (EU) 2017/745 on medical devices.

Finally, the mutual recognition protocol carefully protects the Union's legislative autonomy regarding medicinal products. It explicitly stipulates that Switzerland does not get the right to participate in the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or in the drafting of EU medicinal product legislation. However, it makes an exception for Switzerland's participation as an observer in the meetings of the Good Manufacturing and Distribution Practice (GMDP) Inspectors Working Group. This allows for appropriate cross-border cooperation and consistent oversight on pharmaceutical manufacturing standards.

Considering these provisions, the structural integration of these public health policies and medical product safety standards warrants the full support of the Committee on Public Health, serving as the basis for our recommendation to give consent to the broad package of agreements.

*******

The Committee on Public Health calls on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, as the committee responsible, to recommend approval of the draft Council decision on the conclusion of a broad package of agreements between the European Union, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other part, to consolidate, deepen and expand their bilateral relations, and amending Decisions 2011/51/EU and 2011/738/EU.

The Chair in his capacity as rapporteur for opinion declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not include in his opinion input from interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies, to be listed in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.

Mr David McAllister

Chair

Committee on Foreign Affairs

BRUSSELS

Subject: Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of a broad package of agreements to consolidate, deepen and expand the bilateral relations with the Swiss Confederation (10643/2025 – C10 0075/2026 – 2025/0162(NLE))

Dear Mr Chair,

Under the procedure referred to above, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs has been asked to submit an opinion to your committee and decided to send the opinion in the form of a letter.

The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs considered the matter and, at its meeting of 15 July 2026, it decided to submit the opinion set out below to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, as the committee responsible.

Yours sincerely,

Li Andersson

The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs calls on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, as the committee responsible, to recommend approval of the draft Council decision on the conclusion of a broad package of agreements between the European Union, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other part, to consolidate, deepen and expand their bilateral relations, and amending Decisions 2011/51/EU and 2011/738/EU.

Short justification

The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs welcomes the broad package of agreements between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation, which provides a stable and balanced framework for the further development of bilateral relations. The package contributes to legal certainty, strengthens cooperation in areas of mutual interest and ensures the continued functioning of close economic and social ties between the Union and Switzerland.

The Committee underlines that the free movement of persons remains a cornerstone of EU-Swiss relations and notes the importance of maintaining fair labour mobility while ensuring equal treatment and non-discrimination for workers. In this regard, the Committee welcomes provisions providing for dynamic alignment by Switzerland on current and future Union legal acts in the area of free movement of persons and the posting of workers, aimed at safeguarding workers’ rights, preventing social dumping and ensuring a level playing field through effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.

The Committee further stresses the importance of robust coordination of social security systems, facilitating labour mobility while ensuring adequate social protection for mobile workers and their family members. In this regard it particularly welcomes that Switzerland will have access and financially contribute to the EURES, EESSI and IMI information systems. It also highlights the value of continued cooperation in the fields of occupational health and safety, vocational education and training, skills development and labour market integration.

The Committee considers that the package strikes an appropriate balance between deepening cooperation and preserving high social and labour standards. Therefore, it supports the conclusion of the agreements and calls for their effective implementation in full respect of the Union aquis, social partners’ role and fundamental social rights.

3.6.2026

Mr David McAllister

Chair

Committee on Foreign Affairs

BRUSSELS

Subject: Opinion on a proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of a broad package of agreements to consolidate, deepen and expand the bilateral relations with the Swiss Confederation (10643/2025 – C10 0075/2026 – 2025/0162(NLE))

Dear Chair,

Under the procedure referred to above, the Committee on Transport and Tourism has been asked to submit an opinion to your committee. At its meeting of 18 March 2026, the committee decided to send the opinion in the form of a letter. It considered the matter at its meeting of 8 April 2026 and adopted the opinion at its meeting of 3 June 2026.

General Remarks

1. The Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) welcomes the broad package of agreements between the EU and Switzerland which aims to deepen and expand their bilateral relationship, especially in the transport sector, where the package includes protocols to the agreement on air transport and to the agreement on the carriage of goods and passengers by rail and road (the “Land Transport Agreement”).

2. Especially the update of the Land Transport Agreement ensures that the EU and Switzerland remain integrated in terms of a single market for transport of passengers and goods. Commons standards need to be applied, and the update of the Land Transport Agreement modernises existing rules on rail and road transport and aims to achieve greater institutional clarity.

3. The smooth functioning of cross-border traffic remains a key interest of both parties. In particular, the efficient management of Alpine transit, especially along the Rhine–Alpine Corridor, is essential to ensure that road and rail traffic operate smoothly. To ensure its functioning, standardised rules must apply in a clearly defined framework. We must ensure a level playing field between EU and Swiss operators in both, road and rail transport. Opening of the respective markets for international rail transport for passengers, even with the foreseen exceptions for both parties, will certainly benefit EU and Swiss citizens and will lead to additional and improved cross-border transport services. EU railway undertakings will be able to independently offer cross-border rail connections to Switzerland. Likewise, Swiss undertakings will be able to independently offer their own cross-border connections in the EU.

Therefore, the update of the Land Transport Agreement is welcomed by the TRAN Committee.

Specific remarks on rail transport

4. It is in the interests of both the EU and Switzerland that cross-border rail traffic runs as smoothly and seamlessly as possible. At a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, protecting resilient European supply chains is more important than ever. Disruptions along major transport corridors risk exacerbating economic bottlenecks and increasing costs for industry and citizens. Working on joint vehicle approvals and safety certificates reduces the administrative burden on companies and ensures a level playing field for all operators.

5. The TRAN Committee welcomes the fact that the update of the Land Transport Agreement also lays the ground for a participation of Switzerland in the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA). While ERA will not – and should not – be directly responsible of the Swiss rail market, the deeper integration will strengthen interoperability, enhance safety and technical harmonisation, and facilitate more efficient cross-border rail operations between the EU and Switzerland.

6. Following the derailment of a freight train in the Gotthard Base Tunnel on 10 August 2023 due to the failure of waggon wheels, this important stretch of infrastructure remained closed for more than a year, resulting in major disruptions in alpine transit. ERA’s Joint Network Secretariat (JNS), which was established in 2014 precisely to ensure the timely and coordinated handling of rail safety issues in support of the Single European Railway Area, convened a task force of relevant national safety and investigation bodies as well as stakeholders from the rail sector to investigate the accident and suggest improved safety measures. However, in September 2025 and before the conclusion of the JNS task force, the Swiss Federal Office of Transport (FOT) unilaterally adopted national measures that introduced requirements for freight wagons that are operating on the Swiss rail network. While the measures are intended to improve safety, something which the TRAN Committee naturally welcomes, their introduction poses a significant negative impact on the availability of rail waggons in cross-border rail transport between the EU and Switzerland, increasing complexities for international freight operations and represents an important deviation from the coordinated European approach led by the JNS and the pursuit of a Single European Railway Area.

7. The Swiss measures include requirements for minimum wheel diameters, systematic and more frequent maintenance, and optimised wagon inspection which puts additional burden on waggon keepers and railway undertakings. While safety requirements should not be questioned, it is the unilateral decision to deviate from a collective European process and approach that is a concern. The TRAN Committee would therefore like to underline the need for a multilateral solution, based on the JNS process and its report (published in December 2025), which recommends a common set of rules to be implemented by the various rail stakeholders.

8. The TRAN Committee therefore raises concerns that the unilateral measures adopted by the Swiss authorities risk undermining the EU–Switzerland Land Transport Agreement, in particular the commitments related to the approximation of railway legislation and the need to ensure fair and balanced competition both between and within transport modes.

9. In that respect the TRAN Committee would like to highlight in particular that Article 31(1) limits the possibility for deviations to measures that are strictly necessary to address serious environmental or traffic-related problems, notably those linked to transit traffic across the Alps. Furthermore, Article 32 establishes the need to avoid distortions of traffic flows, particularly in sensitive regions such as the Alpine corridors.

Risks and Concerns

10. The limited availability of rail freight waggons risks modal shift towards road transport. Such a shift in freight transport from rail to road runs against the objectives of European transport policy, it is particularly problematic in sensitive regions like the Alps.

11. The modal shift towards road also has negative consequences in terms of congestion of the road network. This has led to discussions on additional transit tolls for vehicles in alpine transit, especially for the Gotthard road tunnel. The envisaged Swiss toll, coming on top of the already existing vignette, would only apply to foreign vehicles. While it does not violate the Land Transport Agreement, it would still distort the principle of an integrated market.

12. The benefits of the huge investments that were made in cross-border infrastructure along the Rhine Alpine corridor, like better rail service for consumers and benefits for sustainable transport, are jeopardised by such unilateral decisions.

13. The TRAN Committee would also like to raise concerns because Switzerland did not notify the European Commission nor seek the opinion of the Commission’s experts prior to the adoption of these measures, as required under Article 52(2) of the Agreement. Nor did Switzerland inform the Commission following the publication of the measures, in line with the obligations set out in Article 52(3).

14. The TRAN Committee would like to call on the Commission to ensure joint and multilateral solutions are applied to uphold the highest standards of safety and the commitment to an integrated rail system and avoid fragmentation in the rail market.

Yours sincerely,

Elissavet VozembergVrionidi

The Chair in her capacity as rapporteur for opinion declares under her exclusive responsibility that she did not include in her opinion input from interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies, to be listed in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.

Mr David McAllister

Chair

Committee on Foreign Affairs

BRUSSELS

Subject: Opinion on the EU/Switzerland agreements to consolidate, deepen and expand bilateral relations (2025/0162(NLE))

Dear Mr McAllister,

Under the procedure referred to above, the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) has been asked to submit an opinion to your committee. The AGRI Coordinators considered the matter at their meeting of 18 March 2026. They endorsed the Commission’s proposal and asked me to convey their opinion to you pursuant to Rule 57. This recommendation was approved by the AGRI Committee at its meeting of 8 April 2026.

Yours sincerely,

Veronika Vrecionová

Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur for opinion declares that he included in his opinion input on matters pertaining to the subject of the file that he received, in the preparation of the opinion, prior to the adoption thereof in committee, from the following interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from the following representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies:

The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur for opinion.

Where natural persons are identified in the list by their name, by their function or by both, the rapporteur for opinion declares that he has submitted to the natural persons concerned the European Parliament's Data Protection Notice No 484 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/data-protect/index.do), which sets out the conditions applicable to the processing of their personal data and the rights linked to that processing.

7.5.2026

8.4.2026