EU ongelukkig met beperkingen die Zwitserland werknemers uit achttal EU-landen oplegt (en)

Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, made today the following statement:

«I regret the decision taken today by the Swiss Federal Council to re-establish quantitative limitations for certain categories of residence permits for EU citizens who are nationals of eight of the EU Member States.

I consider this measure to be in breach of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons as amended by the Protocol of 2004. The agreement does not allow for any differentiation between EU citizens.

This measure is neither economically justified by the labour market situation nor by the number of EU citizens seeking residence in Switzerland.»