EU/SWITZERLAND : SWISS OPEN DOORS TO ROMANIAN AND BULGARIAN WORKERS.

Bulgarians and Romanians will be able to work freely in Switzerland after all, following the confederation's renewal and extension of its agreements on the free movement of persons with the EU, on 8 February. Contrary to expectations, the Swiss voted 59.6% in favour and 40.4% against the measure, although there had been considerable fears over the influence of the populist right, which campaigned against the renewal.

The Union has reason to rejoice. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso congratulated Swiss President Hans-Rudolf Merz "for the excellent result of the referendum" and said he was confident that these "excellent relations" would be enhanced.

On 12 December 2008, Switzerland became the 25th Schengen area member state. As a result, controls at land borders between Switzerland and other Schengen countries were abolished and third-country nationals need only apply for a single Schengen visa. Switzerland also joined the Dublin system that determines the member state responsible for reviewing an asylum application.

The Czech EU Presidency, which has made respect for the free movement of persons, goods, capital and services the alpha and omega of its six-month term, also welcomed the vote.

SEVEN-YEAR TRANSITIONAL PERIOD

The Swiss government is breathing a sigh of relief: "The Swiss population made a pragmatic and future-oriented choice," welcomed Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf. She nonetheless added that this protocol would enter into force on 1 April 2009 at the earliest. It will open a seven-year transitional period, during...