Messages in the Media - University of Toronto

Bilateral Relations among European Countries
- In April 2009, Switzerland was placed by the Organization
for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on a
grey list of countries for failing to provide bank details of
foreign tax evaders and helping them hide their assets.
The Swiss government decided to sign two ground breaking
deals with Germany in August 2011 and Britain in October
2011 to close the accounts of current tax evaders
and to ensure that backdated taxes are paid on longstanding
assets. These deals were known as the Rubik system.
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- While the Rubik system has been praised by the OECD for
its transparency, the EU is not fond of the bilateral relations
between these two countries. 12
- The EU Finance Committee has criticized the Rubik System
as it claims that the contracts may not comply with
EU directives. The EU instead wants to impose a uniform
solution for tax evasion across Europe that is in line with
EU rules and regulations. 13
Free Movement of People
- The Swiss People’s Party has launched a campaign to restrict
the free movement of people between the EU and
Switzerland (currently permitted by bilateral treaties between
Switzerland and the EU). 14
- Under Swiss law, which adheres to the principles of direct
democracy, the initiative requires 100, 000 signatures before
Swiss voters can be asked to express their views on
the matter. As of now, the deadline for collecting the 100,
000 signatures has been set for the end of 2012 or the beginning
of 2013. 15
- Though the Swiss private sector and most politicians have
been strongly in favour of the free movement of people
(along with much of the public which has voted three
times in favour of the referendums) there has been a recent
increase in those opposed to the passport free zone.
The demographic growth has translated into a lack of
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