Switzerland's parliament votes to withdraw application for EU membership

Switzerland's parliament has voted to withdraw its long-standing application for membership of the EU - amid a deepening row about migration.
The country's National Council has backed a symbolic motion to retract the country's 24-year-old bid to join what was then the European Economic Community (EEC).


Lukas Reimann from the Swiss People's Party (SVP) argued it was 'high time' to make the move, as the country is battling with the European Commission about restricting free movement.
Switzerland's parliament (pictured) has voted to withdraw its long-standing 24 year application for membership of the EU with Lukas Reimann from the Swiss People's Party arguing it is 'high time' to make the move

Switzerland's parliament (pictured) has voted to withdraw its long-standing 24 year application for membership of the EU with Lukas Reimann from the Swiss People's Party arguing it is 'high time' to make the move
He secured the support of 126 out of 200 deputies in the lower house in the vote on Tuesday, and the decision will be reviewed by the senate in the coming months.

Mr Reimann said Switzerland should no longer be treated as a county which wanted to join the EU.
Switzerland has never been a member of EU but has enjoyed free trade with the bloc since the 1970s by accepting most of its laws. It accepts free movement of people and is also a member of the Schengen borderless travel zone.

Two years ago the Swiss public voted in a referendum to impose immigration quotas, which would involve their government renegotiating its various bilateral deals with the EU.
However Brussels has refused to grant their request - saying to curb free movement, Switzerland would have to give up its free trade access.
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