Switzerland-EU relations: a close, contradictory and misunderstood relationship

This lecture provides a historical background on Switzerland's relationship with the EU, starting from the rejection of EEA membership in 1992 to the current challenges faced in the institutional agreement negotiations. It explores the specificities of the Swiss-EU bilateral agreements, the reasons behind Switzerland's 'Euroscepticism', and the perspectives for the future. The lecture delves into the dynamics of the never-ending institutional agreement negotiations, the significant EU legal influence on Switzerland, and the implications of Switzerland's economic recovery in the 2000s. It also sheds light on how Switzerland is perceived from Brussels, emphasizing the importance of the economic partnership while highlighting the complexities and frictions in the relationship.