Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/725667
MIRIAM DALLI PRIME Minister Joseph Muscat has warned the President of Switzerland that any negotiations with the Euro- pean Union on the freedom of move- ment of EU citizens will impact the EU's negotiations with the United Kingdom. Johann Schneider-Ammann leaves Malta today, following talks with the prime minister at Auberge de Cas- tille. The two delegations, which includ- ed Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella, parliamentary secretary Ian Borg and the permanent representa- tive to the EU Marlene Bonnici, were engaged in bilateral talks. Talks between the European Un- ion and Switzerland, which is not an EU member, have been underway for two years. But pressure is grow- ing ahead of a new Swiss immigra- tion law due in February 2017, which is set to deepen the impasse with the EU. In a 2014 referendum, the Swiss narrowly voted to restrict immigra- tion, with 50.3% in favour of quotas. Around 1.3 million EU citizens live in Switzerland and 300,000 more commute to the country. According to media reports, out- right quotas are out of the question. But the EU may instead accept tem- porary measures – such as giving hiring preference to Swiss and EU citizens already in Switzerland – in struggling sectors with high jobless rates. In what is being seen as a direct message to the UK, the EU has told Switzerland that it will lose access to the single market if it imposes con- trols on free movement. Next year, Malta will be taking on the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. With the Swiss President's visit to Malta, the two governments aimed at addressing the concerns being raised. "This six-month presidency is turning out to be eventful," the Prime Minister quipped. But Muscat said he welcomed con- crete proposals on immigration put forward by Switzerland so soon af- ter the UK's Brexit vote. "We will work hard to find a solu- tion," Muscat reassured Schneider- Ammann, adding that small coun- tries could not be "held hostage" by the bigger ones. "What Switzerland is now pro- posing is a step in the right direc- tion… and a much better structured proposal than one would have ex- pected," he said. "We know that the clock is ticking." However, Muscat warned that there were "a number of problems and issues" which he wanted to dis- cuss further. "The issue is not Switzerland as a country but how this will impact negotiations with the United King- dom. Are we redefining what free- dom of movement means? This is something that we need to carefully approach," he said. Meanwhile, European Commis- sion President Jean-Claude Juncker is set to meet Schneider-Amman later on this month. Tusk in Malta for Brexit talks CONTINUING his tour of 27 EU capitals, European Council Presi- dent Donald Tusk will be landing in Malta tomorrow to discuss the result of the United Kingdom's Brexit referendum. Tusk is currently consulting the 27 leaders on their ideas and ex- pectations ahead of the Bratislava summit, "to bring back the political control" of the European Union's common future. He said he expected member states to demonstrate their "strong determination and ability" to dis- cuss and address irregular migra- tion, terrorism and fear of globali- sation. Tusk is also pushing for member states to secure their external bor- ders, "a necessary precondition for a common European asylum policy," he said. "I would like to see a critical num- ber of Member States sending bor- der guards and equipment to help Bulgaria protect its border with Turkey," Tusk declared earlier this week. "This would be a concrete exam- ple of support to an EU country that is seeing more migrants trying to cross illegally into the EU. And it would be an important signal that we are serious and will not hesitate to act if and when needed. Never again can we allow our borders to be overrun by waves of irregular migrants as in 2015," he said. maltatoday, SUNDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 2016 News Muscat warns new Swiss law could affect Brexit talks CAMPUS PACKAGE I BELIEVE IN A BANK THAT'S RIGHT FOR ME I've got my own style, my own goals, and my own way of doing things. It's my journey, and to get the most out of it I need a Bank that's right for me. f l Banif Bank (Malta) plc students.banif.com.mt FREE PHILIPS MINI OPTICAL USB MOUSE + HEADPHONES & MIC FREE VERBATIM STORE'N'GO 16GB USB When I open my Campus account, I can take home one of these INSTANT gifts*: Once I receive my first stipend, I can also choose one of these GREAT gifts*: GET GREAT GIFTS WITH * THE CAMPUS PACKAGE GET GREAT GIFTS * THE CAMPUS PACKAGE visit students.banif.com.mt FREE PORTABLE SPEAKER & MIC FREE SMART SPORT WATCH FREE BLUETOOTH SPEAKER FREE SMART FREE WIRELESS BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES ¤50 GIFT VOUCHER CASH DEPOSIT ¤50 GIFT VOUCHER ¤50 GIFT VOUCHER ¤50 GIFT VOUCHER *Terms and conditions apply. Loans and credit cards are subject to the Bank's lending criteria. The Bank reserves the right to withdraw or amend this product at its sole discretion. Banif Bank (Malta) plc is a credit institution licensed to undertake the business of banking by the MFSA in terms of the Banking Act 1994 and is a member of the Depositor Compensation Scheme established under the Depositor Compensation Scheme Regulations (Legal notice 385 of 2015). Registered in Malta C41030 – 203, Level 2, Rue D'Argens, Gzira, GZR 1368, Malta.