EU welcomes Swiss vote

The European Commission has welcomed Switzerland's approval of seven agreements on closer trade ties with the European Union.

Swiss voters approved the moves in a referendum at the weekend.

They cover a number of trade-related issues, including the freer movement of people between the EU and Switzerland, better access to each other's markets and a deal allowing heavier trucks to travel on roads through the Swiss Alps.

The BBC's Europe correspondent says the vote shows a warmer attitude towards the EU by the Swiss, since they rejected closer economic ties eight years ago. But he says there's no certainty that this will translate into a further push towards EU membership.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service