Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-07-06-Speech-3-429"
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"en.20050706.31.3-429"2
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"Mr President, one might be forgiven for thinking that this debate is only of interest to the Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats, yet this is not the case – it is of interest to the whole of Europe. I should like to begin by commending Mr Kirkhope on his efforts to defend Parliament’s prerogatives. I wish to congratulate the Commission on the initiative and to say to the Commissioner that it is very important that Switzerland can become the third country from outside the EU, after Iceland and Norway, to be involved in the execution, implementation and development of the Schengen acquis and the Dublin/Eurodac system.
The fact is that the Swiss people decided in a referendum, as mentioned by Mr Kirkhope, to have closer ties with the EU by integrating the Schengen area, which allows free movement, and by means of the Dublin Agreement, which covers asylum policy. I welcome Switzerland’s participation in these systems, which will eliminate certain obstacles to free movement and will strengthen cooperation; this is vital in view of the country’s geographical location. Switzerland stands to gain politically, in terms of greater stability in its geographical neighbourhood, and economically, in terms of the benefits of greater flow of movement.
Accordingly, Switzerland will have to accept and apply the Schengen acquis in its entirety, which is not true of all EU Member States, given that derogations are only provided for in relation to the future development of the Schengen acquis, a prerequisite seen as necessary for the conclusion of an agreement on taxation of savings.
As regards the second agreement, Switzerland will have to accept, implement and apply the current and future Dublin/Eurodac acquis with no exception. I should like to conclude by pointing out that these agreements mark a welcome shift towards closer relations between Switzerland and the EU. This also demonstrates to other countries that it is possible to strengthen ties, to pool efforts and to work closely together on policy with the EU, without necessarily formally becoming a Member State."@en1
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