Votes so far:

100% 0%
			Yes: 78%		No: 22%

Switzerland is possibly the most democratic country in the world. They would have to be crazy to give up their present status to join the undemocratic, bureacratic, unaccountable juggernaut based in Brussels. Economically , it is not at all clear that they have anything to benefit from such a move either.
Bill Thomson, UK

Why should Switzerland join? What's in the EU for us? As I see the current situation, the two best run countries are paying for the rest. Given that we also pay for our farmers but I wouldn't want to pay for all the others, too. Yes, we have a high standard of living but we also have very high prices for basic stables; food, gas, apartments and housing. However, *we* pay for that ourselves and I would not be willng to pay for others. The silly rules the EU has come up with about business make living and working in Switzerland much more attractive. If I want to work 80 hours a week, I can. Business is better treated here than in other countries, especially France and Germany. I say let us live our lives connected but not part of. When the situation changes, then perhaps I'll change my mind. But until the majority of the EU sees Switzerland as much more than a large piggy-banque in which to pay for their failed policies, I'll vote to remain outside.
Mark-Allen Perry, Switzerland

I work for a Swiss company and have come to know many Swiss. I understand their fears of losing national identity and control but the move into the EU is surely more necessary now and I believe inevitable. It would certainly make my life easier having my employer within the EU.
R Kilworth, UK

No, don't let the Swiss commit national suicide - look how the EU is ruining Europe. Let us emulate Switzerland and leave the EU while we can.
Garth Brooks, UK

Yes please. Let's hope Switzerland not only join the EU but also run it for the rest of us - none of the other nations are as efficient as the Swiss.
Andrew Fisher, UK

Switzerland would be mad to join the EU. In fact, I fail to see why any country would join, except to qualify for massive payouts funded by us and Germany. As the richest country in Europe, the Swiss could not expect any such largesse. My advice to Switzerland: stay away from the EU, and keep your freedom. It's what we should have done in 1973.
Austin Spreadbury, UK

I believe that's entirely up to the Swiss if they want to become part of the Brussels bureaucracy. Anyone who voluntarily chooses to become part of a system where ALL significant decisions (monetary union, EU expansion, Schengen, etc.) are made without popular vote must be crazy. This mechanism goes against the Swiss system of direct democracy through referendum.
Diederik Zwager, Netherlands

Why should Switzerland even consider joining EU? A better question to debate would be "Should any country join the EU?" or "Should EU abolish itself?" Can anybody tell me any real use of EU for the people of Europe apart from a tiny minority of bureaucrats?
A Akademir, UK

Yes, Europe definetely needs Switzerland to help with organisation and sound finance.
R Venturini, UK

Switzerland is one of the few countries left which actually sells goods produced in their own country. Costs may be higher, but at least the jobs stay at home and one is not confronted with the same products as elsewhere. Admittedly, they will be surrounded by the Euro, but I am sure that once 2002 arrives both Swiss francs and Euros will be accepted everywhere.
M J Smith, Belgium

No, we should always have at least one major western European country outside the EU, just so that we can properly evaluate the absurd and arrogant claims of the Europhiles that membership is essential to prosperity.
Jon Livesey, USA

It seems to be a pattern that those who live outside the EU think it is better for the economy to be in it. Wrong. The EU hasn't helped our economies at all, it is a wholly political enterprise that is slowing growth and costing jobs. Switzerland would have joined the EU long ago if that was where their economic interests were. But like the Channel Islands and other financial centres, and like the City of London is now realising the EU has no economic benefits, only many disadvantages. Stay where you are Switzerland.
Should they have joined the USSR? No, and for exactly the same reasons.
Alex Stanway, England

Absolutely. We pro-Europeans should remember that widening the EU is as important as deepening its scope. Switzerland is a natural candidate for membership, given its location and economy. Hopefully Norway, Iceland and Malta will join too.
Andrew Stevens, US/England

Far better if the EU were to be like Switzerland, the only real democracy anywhere.
David Clark, England

They would have to be crazy, they have a better standard of living than those in Europe. The EU is too interventionist for any sustainable wealth creation, once Asia recovers Europe will pay the price for all its subsidies and slugs on business. What will it all have been for? Europe's so-called culture will still just be a diluted version of America. However, joining the EU would provide Switzerland's statesmen a bigger stage to prance around on, I guess this is what it boils down to.
Tom, Australia

It is an inevitable process; whether it happens now or in a few years, Switzerland will eventually join.
Stephan Prechtel, USA

No, I think Switzerland has done well to stay out and will continue to do well being outside of the EU. I'm not against the EU per se - there are countries that would benefit from the EU, and there are some that would not. Switzerland's famed financial system would probably be mutilated by Brussels, the same way they will deal with Luxembourg in time. Secondly, despite some bumps and bruises, the multinational Confederation of Helvetia has worked fantastically as a unit under the cantons. Entry into the EU could foreshadow a further regionalisation towards France, Germany and Italy, and a de facto destruction of Switzerland as an entity. Third and final point is that for the Swiss, to adhere to the acquis communautaire would be an incredibly burdensome process. For central and east Europe, it is easier since it is pretty much a rewriting of laws and regulations that needed to be revamped anyway. The difficulties for Switzerland to adhere to the acquis would two-fold the labourous task by Sweden and Finland just a few years ago. Switzerland has a coveted position in Europe, in the past, present and future.Afterall, Switzerland can be said to be the heart of Europe...or the hole in the doughnut called Europe.
Mel Huang, Estonia

Switzerland could successfully remain out of the "loop" of the EU so long as each had its own currency but with a unified currency, Switzerland will not have much of an economic alternative.
William B Stanley, USA

Swiss people should take part in European decision making instead of copying European decisions under preasure.
Christoph, Switzerland

It depends on your point of view. If you're Swiss and you see the economic reality surrounding you, why not surrender? But if you then look at your proud nation of fiercely indepenet regions, and compare that to the vast European space, it's a matter of holding on to what you've got rather than let your country fall apart. From a European perspective, the Swiss are becoming that tiny village of Asterix and Obelix that is still standing after the whole of Gallia has been overrun by Romans. It'd be nice if they came along, but there's a way around them.
Nanne Migchels, Netherlands

The Swiss are at there best when they are on there own.
Gnanasakthy, Switzerland

The Swiss would be mad to join with their standard of living. They would become donors rather than receivers, and they would lose their independence. The EU is extremely beneficial for countries with a third world-standard of living, and which are basically ungovernable.
Ray Marsh, Australia

It would seem to be a prudent thing for the Swiss to do. Being separate from unification of the rest of Europe will, in all likelihood, diminish the value of their currency and literally leave them out in the cold insofar as any decision-making in the world is concerned, because the Euro Union will eventually encompass 'national' laws. They will, in essence, just be along for the ride.
Joan Lisa, USA

Well, I went to Switzerland a couple of years ago and it certainly didn't look as though they were suffering as a result of being outside. What's more, as the EU moves to tax and further regulate financial markets, to the detriment of London, Frankfurt and other European financial centres, Zurich is in pole position to reap (one of the many) rich rewards of non member ship. Switzerland should do what is best for Switzerland, and that is certainly not joining the EU.
Alex Stanway, UK

For centuries the most stable thing in the world was Switzerlands neutrality, now you want to throw that away. For Switzerland to join the EU would betray everything their ancestors fought and died for.
Richard T Ketchum, USA

The Swiss financial sector would really benefit from EU membership - they would be in a far better position to challenge Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
Mark Mitchell, USA

I don't want to be cynical, but if Switzerland were to join the EU then the result would be a whole continent under German influence. They are right to remain neutral so as to stem some of Chancellor Schroder's over-enthusiasm about Europe.
Nathan Hamer, UK

I was born and brought up in Switzerland I believe it is important for Switzerland to maintain its distance from the EU. It should wait and see how the system works first if at all it make any moves in the direction of joining. The bank system would suffer I believe and would lose business if Switzerland gave up any of its sovereignty. There is time, patience may pay off.
Shampa S Bari

The Swiss would be crazy to join the EU. Unless they wish to lose self government, and control over their own lives, they should remain a separate country. The EU was originally designed to improve trade between member countries, not dictated to from Bonn (sorry Brussels).
Tom Brook, UK

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