Bilateral negotiations with Europe: the Swiss play for time

EU: "They'll soon give in and join up."

Switzerland: "They'll soon collapse and disappear."

Linked by many regularly re-negotiated bilateral agreements, Switzerland and EU the seek to simplify their relationship – but Bern always excludes the possibility of EU accession. A meeting, which took place in Brussels on July 19, between President Leuthard and José Manuel Barroso has made no progress in simplifying relations.