Switzerland and the EU: Opportunities for Small States to Influence EU Policy

Hungary’s experience as a small EU member state invites comparison with Switzerland’s unique approach to engaging the Union from the outside. Although not an EU member, Switzerland has leveraged bilateral agreements, regulatory alignment, and strategic diplomacy to exert meaningful influence, offering potential lessons for member states navigating multilateral governance from a position of relative size and power.

Switzerland and the EU: The Future of Bilateralism

Switzerland’s relationship with the EU is based on bilateral agreements, ensuring economic integration while preserving sovereignty. Although this flexible model offers advantages, it faces growing pressure due to legal uncertainties and EU demands for deeper institutional ties. The future of Swiss-EU relations depends on balancing autonomy with economic and political realities.