EC/Switzerland agreement: free movement of persons

The Council presented a consolidated version of the agreement on the free movement of persons between the Community and its Member States, on the one hand, and Switzerland, on the other, that also includes the final act and the signatures of all of the contracting parties. It should be recalled that this agreement will establish the free movement of persons between the EU and Switzerland in accordance with the equivalent rules of the acquis communautaire. The transition periods granted to Switzerland will facilitate the liberalisation of its labour market. The objective of the agreement is to provide the same living, employment and working conditions to those of nationals. The basic rights of entry, residence, work, to set up as an independent, to study and the right to social security are all covered by this agreement. All the rights are based on principles of non-discrimination on the basis of nationality and equal treatment. The specific objective is to guarantee the rights of citizens already resident on the territory of the other contracting party.�