Juncker Eyes Swiss-Specific Immigration Deal Despite Brexit

  • European Commission president gives Zurich University speech
  • Swiss at odds with EU over 2014 referendum to curb immigration
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European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said he was aiming to solve a two-year-old dispute with Switzerland over immigration in a country-specific manner even in the wake of Brexit.

The Swiss government has been at pains to implement restrictions on European Union newcomers decided upon in a 2014 referendum without annulling an economically important set of treaties with the 28-country bloc. Although Switzerland isn’t a member, citizens of EU states can work and reside in the country without special permission. About a quarter of Switzerland’s inhabitants aren’t nationals.