Switzerland is often described as the "hole in the EU doughnut", a country deeply intertwined with the European economy but not a member of the European Union. Today, I sit down, on January 12, 2025, with Ambassador Petros Mavromichalis, the EU’s Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, to discuss the complexities of this relationship.

We cover:

• Switzerland’s EU Negotiations: Why Switzerland prefers bilateral agreements over full membership and the challenges in aligning with evolving EU laws.
• The Sticking Points: How free movement of people, labor market access, and dispute resolution mechanisms have become major hurdles.
• The EU’s Economic Outlook: Can Europe compete with a growing US economy, and where does the EU see untapped potential?
• Migration and Border Challenges: How the EU is handling legal migration, the aging workforce, and the challenge of illegal migration across its vast borders.
• Climate Change and EU Leadership: The EU’s ambitious Net Zero by 2050 goal, financial commitments to developing nations, and the challenge of balancing economic realities with climate action.

Join us for a deep dive into Switzerland’s unique position in Europe, the EU’s broader strategic goals, and how both sides navigate their interdependent but often tense relationship.