The Federal Council has given the go-ahead for the Bilateral Agreements IIIwith the definitive negotiating mandate. Negotiations on the so-called Bilaterals III began on 18 March 2024. We at the VAP support the efforts of the mandate in the area of overland transport. Switzerland must be able to help shape the far-reaching renewal of the rail freight transport system.
That’s what it’s all about:
- Stabilising Swiss-EU relations
- Mandate takes into account the fears of SBB and trade unions
- VAP welcomes continuation of the dialogue
- Joining forces in favour of rail as the mode of transport of the future
Stabilising Swiss-EU relations
At its meeting on 8 March 2024, the Federal Council adopted the mandate for negotiations with the European Union (EU). The negotiations on the comprehensive package are intended to stabilise and further develop bilateral relations between Switzerland and the European Union. They started on 18 March 2024. In its mandate, the Federal Council has adopted a number of recommendations, including market liberalisation in the electricity sector, the preservation of the cooperation model in the overland transport sector and the retention of customs tariffs in the agricultural sector. Other adopted recommendations relate to immigration, wage protection and institutional elements.
Mandate takes into account the fears of SBB and trade unions
In its «Report on the results of the consultation on the draft negotiating mandate between Switzerland and the European Union on the stabilisation and development of their relations», the Federal Council states that the model of SBB cooperation in international rail passenger transport remains possible, that Switzerland may continue to allocate train paths and that the rules for international passenger transport must not impair the Swiss quality of public rail transport. In its negotiating mandate, it also guarantees tariff integration, a synchronised timetable and a modal shift from road to rail. The regulatory dialogue in the financial sector between Switzerland and the EU will be resumed. In doing so, he dispels the unfounded fears of SBB and the trade unions of the «dark forces» of competition.
VAP welcomes resumption of dialogue
In our statement of 12 February 2024, we at the VAP welcome the fact that the government – in particular the Federal Office of Transport (FOT) and the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) – is continuing its efforts to make progress on the key dossier for the rail sector in realistic stages despite the existing political deadlock between Switzerland and the EU. After all, market liberalisation offers Switzerland interesting opportunities such as guaranteed interoperability, greater innovative strength and higher efficiency. In this context, we also support the revision of the Railway Act and welcome the fact that there are already concrete proposals for amendments at ordinance level.
We consider the realisation of ERA membership for Switzerland following the successful negotiations to be the next milestone. The ERA has created expert status specifically for Switzerland. This means that Swiss experts can already participate in the ERA committees for the further development of the common specifications. In addition, Switzerland has been systematically adopting rules from the EU’s Interoperability Directive and Safety Directive for years. Overall, Switzerland has a great interest in securing sustainable access to the European railway sector as soon as possible through full ERA membership – not only to participate but also to have a say in decision-making.
We support the present negotiating mandate in the area of land transport. In our view, the market liberalisation in international passenger transport, which has not been implemented for years, is necessary and offers opportunities for interesting developments despite the restrictions imposed.The procedure for integrating the institutional elements into the sectoral agreements is justifiable based on our previous experience in the development of legislation with the involvement of Swiss experts.
Joining forces in favour of rail as the mode of transport of the future
Rail freight transport should regain market share thanks to innovation – that is what the EU wants and that is what Switzerland wants too.However, we need long-term strategies and strong investors to achieve this.Stability is the indispensable basis for international transport cooperation (see blog post «Stability as an indispensable basis for international transport cooperation»).The innovation for future rail freight transport with digitalisation and automation is currently being developed in the EU.Switzerland wants to participate and have a say in shaping this far-reaching renewal of the rail freight transport system.
This is only possible in an efficient and sustainable manner if political differences are resolved and there is sufficient clarity about future cooperation. This includes Switzerland rejoining the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, an update of the overland transport agreement between Switzerland and the EU and bilateral agreements on border operating routes with our neighbouring countries.
