Now, Mr.

President, let me turn to the main topic of our meeting here today,

and this is the EU Switzerland agreement.

2 years ago, we set out to renew and modernize our partnership, and today we deliver. We're signing this package.

And we're turning our shared ambition and vision into reality.

This is great news for the people and businesses in the European Union and Switzerland.

Because these agreements bring concrete and lasting benefits.

Let me focus on a few priorities of our renewed partnership. First, our people.

They are the body and the soul of our partnership.

More than 1.5 million EU citizens live in Switzerland and nearly 450,000 Swiss citizens live in our union,

and everyday they live, work, study across our borders.

And hundreds of thousands even cross these borders daily.

With this package, we will improve their daily lives. We're modernizing our provisions on free movement.

We're providing more clarity on key issues such as wages and residence,

we're better protecting workers' rights.

And we are creating new opportunities for students who will be able to study at universities across the border without additional fees. The second priority is our businesses. Naturally our economies are deeply intertwined.

We're talking about a combined market of 460 million consumers.

The European Union is already Switzerland's largest trading partner.

In 2024, over half of your trade was with us.

And these agreements now will boost business opportunities.

And there is a simple expression for what companies need, they need a level playing field.

This means conditions that are fair and square on both sides and predictable enough for business to invest and thrive.

This package strikes a fair balance between both our interests.

Companies established in the European Union and in Switzerland will enjoy more secure and predictable access to our massive market.

We're deepening our relations on air and land transport, we're bringing our electricity markets closer,

and this will enhance security of supply and contribute to more stable prices.

In addition, we are creating a common food safety area.

It's a single set of rules for producers on each side.

It will simplify their lives and at the same time guarantee the high health and safety standards that our citizens expect and of course deserve.

And the 3rd priority I want to highlight is a partnership built for the future.

The work accomplished by our negotiators was guided by a clear objective to build something long lasting.

A foundation that empowers the next generations in Switzerland and in the European Union alike.

Last November we already signed agreements on EU programs.

That opened the door to Switzerland's participation in key European initiatives,

for example, Digital Europe, Erasmus Plus, and of course Horizon Europe.

With these agreements now that we're going to sign in a moment, we're adding another layer.

We will be better equipped to protect our citizens from future health threats, for example.

Switzerland will participate in EU mechanisms addressing serious cross border health threats,

notably the European Centre for Disease and Prevention and Control and the early warning and response system.

And this is crucial because we know that health threats do not stop at borders and coordination between neighbors is absolutely vital.

Mr. President,

let me conclude by saying today is an important day for the European Union and Switzerland.

Because the EU and Switzerland may be neighbors by geography, but we are partners by choice.

And today's agreement will add to a precious list of partnerships that the EU values deeply.

From partners across the world to our closest neighbors,

the European Union is and will remain a reliable and predictable partner.

In a volatile global context, this matters more than ever.

I want to thank you and the Swiss Federal Council for your leadership,

your commitment, and your determination.

And I want to thank our chief negotiators,

Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Richard Szostak and Ambassador Paul Franzen.

For their excellent work and dedication to the topic.

These agreements are an investment in our shared future, a future built on trust, stability and common prosperity. Thank you very much.