European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson warns of a possible “no” from the Swiss to additional funding for Frontex. If Switzerland decides not to respect its commitments, there will be consequences, she warns.
“And the consequence could of course be the end of Schengen and Dublin for Switzerland,” said Ms. Johansson in an interview broadcast on Saturday by the German-speaking newspapers of the Tamedia press group.
We would insist that Switzerland fulfill its obligations.
Ylva Johansson, European Commissioner for Home Affairs
The 58-year-old Swedish Social Democrat believes, however, that the European Union (EU) has absolutely no interest in Switzerland leaving Schengen. “But we have an agreement and we will insist that Switzerland cannot choose which part of the agreement it wants to respect or not”. Membership of Schengen is not an “à la carte menu”, she adds.
Increase in contribution
A refusal by the Swiss would trigger a dispute settlement mechanism, while the Schengen agreement provides for a period of 90 days to exit. “I don’t want to speculate on that now,” says the commissioner. But “we would insist that Switzerland fulfill its obligations”, she specifies, without commenting on a possible exclusion of Switzerland.
The Swiss must say on May 15 whether or not they want to take over the new EU regulation for the development of the European border guard agency Frontex. The financial contribution of Switzerland should increase from 14 million to 61 million francs per year until 2027. It should also make more personnel available to Frontex, about forty.
Organizations defending migrants have launched a referendum with the support of the left. They accuse Frontex of being complicit in fundamental rights violations, in particular by participating in illegal pushbacks along the Balkan route.