UK could rejoin EU with 'Switzerland plus' deal, MEP suggests

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 11:32 · Archive

A senior MEP says the UK could rejoin the EU within months under a 'Switzerland plus' arrangement offering closer ties.

Bernd Lange, chair of the European parliament's trade committee, told The Guardian that a 'Switzerland plus' package could be negotiated rapidly if Britain decided to move closer to the EU. He said he would 'love to see the UK back' and noted that the EU missed the country's involvement in decision-making due to its strong history of promoting open markets and democracy.

Swiss-style arrangements are considered a halfway house to full EU membership. Switzerland currently has 'frictionless access' to the single market through more than 100 agreements, giving it access to the EU's electricity market, space programmes, Erasmus and research initiatives. In return, Switzerland agreed to free movement of people and pays €375m annually into EU economic and cohesion funds.

Lange suggested this framework could serve as a model for the UK, but warned it was 'passive' and would not involve Britain in EU decision-making. He proposed a step-by-step approach instead, describing 'Switzerland plus' as offering 'some kinds of engagement but not full membership'. The Independent reports that Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced at Labour's conference that he would explore options for closer EU ties, potentially including re-entry in Labour's next election manifesto.

How it is being reported

• UK could rejoin EU ‘within months’ with ‘Switzerland plus’ deal, MEP saysGerman MEP Bernard Lange lay out a potential speedy route for Britain to rejoin the EUThe Independent · 16 Oct, 11:09
• UK could quickly re-enter EU with ‘Switzerland plus’ deal, senior MEP saysBernd Lange, who was involved in Brexit talks, says deal could be negotiated within months of any decision to deepen ties The UK could re-enter the EU in a “Switzerland plus” package that could be negotiated within months of any decision to deepen ties with the bloc, the head of a European parliament committee has said. Bernd Lange, who was heavily involved in Brexit negotiations, said: “I would love to see the UK back.” He said the EU missed the UK in decision-making because of its strong history of promoting open markets and democracy. Continue reading...The Guardian · 16 Oct, 08:00

In this story: Bernd Lange · European Union · Switzerland · UK · Keir Starmer

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