Ministers 'consider Swiss-style relationship with EU' in bid for CLOSER relationship with bloc

Britain may be set for a Swiss-style relationship with the European Union, as senior Government figures look to put a plan in motion.

The idea is to create closer economic ties with the bloc.

Senior Government sources feel frictionless trade with the EU requires a Swiss-style relationship, in a move that may take place over the next decade.

The move, however, is not likely to see a return to freedom of movement.

A source told The Times: “It’s obviously something the EU would never offer us upfront because they would say you are trying to have your cake and eat it but the reason I think we will get it is because it is overwhelmingly in the businesses interests on both sides.”

Switzerland’s relationship with the EU allows them access to the European single market through a range of bilateral agreements.

Their model also involves more liberal EU migrations and payments to the EU budget.

Switzerland are also experiencing an EU push for the European Court of Justice to have more power in the relationship.

The EU is reportedly pushing for more power in their relationship with Switzerland.
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In a recent referendum, Switzerland opted to keep free movement from the bloc, despite frequently debating whether it would be wise to do so.

These terms are red lines for the European Research Group.

When drawing up the UK’s negotiation tactics in 2020, they were also red lines for Boris Johnson and Lord Frost, his chief Brexit negotiator.

As the continent faces issues caused by rising inflation and the war in Ukraine, ministers believe the EU’s approach to relations with the UK is softening.

“I think we will be doing everything we can proactively within our power to make changes to improve things when it comes to the EU,” one told The Times.

“The bigger picture on this is the EU seeing something which they weren’t expecting, which is massive support for European security from the UK with respect to Ukraine and they can see we are serious about being sensible grownups with the biggest military in Europe doing our bit.

“I think there is a very good way through this with more trust that we were ever going to have with either Boris Johnson or Liz Truss.”