The Bern government still needs to clarify exactly what it wants from an accord which would replace current agreements, new Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis told reporters after a meeting of a cabinet sharply divided over European policy.
Mr Cassis had previously vowed to hit the “reset” button with regard to ties to the EU, but has since softened his stance by saying he would like to see a deal on a new treaty within months.
However, in a strong indication Switzerland is not prepared to be railroaded by the bloc, he stressed he did not feel compelled to stick to a timetable dictated by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who wants to see progress on a treaty by the Spring.
Mr Cassis said: “That was never a decision of Switzerland. This was a communication of the European Union… We will not have a market access treaty wrapped up by April.”
Brussels has heaped pressure on Bern to sign a treaty under which non-EU member Switzerland would adopt Brussels laws governing the single market as the price of enhanced access. It would have the European Court of Justice help settle any disputes.
This has riled the anti-immigration People’s Party, which is the largest in parliament and which has two of seven cabinet seats. Many Swiss conservatives are also wary of giving “foreign judges” such power and are keen to see what kind of EU deal Britain can swing after Brexit.
Brussels played hardball last year by putting Switzerland on a watch list of tax havens and granting Swiss stock exchange access to the single market for one year only, with any extension linked to agreeing a treaty.
Mr Cassis added: ”The quality is more important than the timing. The cabinet will never agree something that damages Switzerland, even in the next 40 years.”
He has also named a new team to handle the Europe portfolio, appointing veteran diplomat Roberto Balzaretti as state secretary in charge of European affairs and the point man for coordinating EU negotiations.
Mr Cassis said Switzerland was reviewing new approaches to settling any disputes which arise under a treaty. He was not more specific, but sources close to the talks have said the EU proposed letting a special arbitration court handle some disputes.
The treaty issue is politically explosive ahead of elections in both Switzerland and the EU in 2019, which in effect means any deal has to be done this year – but Mr Cassis made it clear he was not prepared to be hurried, adding: ”We have around 10 months ahead of us to review the blockade.
“If it works, it works. If not, then it doesn’t. Then we have to go back over the books and see how it will go. It is clear not much will happen in 2019.”