b'3.2.3. Switzerland Switzerland is a very special case. Although itSwitzerland agrees on only those bilaterals is at the geographical heart of Europe, totallythat it wishes. Switzerland can choose. surrounded by EU member states, it is not a34 main bilaterals and another 100 or so member of the EU. It exports multiple timessubsidiaries are agreed.43 The principal ones more per head to EU countries than does theinclude eliminating technical barriers to trade, UK. Furthermore, Switzerland, with apublic procurement, civil aviation, overland population of just eight million, is the EUstransport, agriculture, research and free fourth largest trading partner, behind only themovement of persons. US, China and Russia.Many of the areas, which so bedevil the UKs In a 1992 referendum, the Swiss peoplerelationship with the EU and limit British narrowly voted NOT to join the Europeanfreedoms, are not part of any Swiss bilateral Economic Area (EEA): the majority wasdeal. The Common Agricultural Policy; the just half of one percent.42In consequence,Common Fisheries Policy; the Customs the Swiss trading relationship with theUnion; Common Foreign and Security policy EU is made up of bilateral agreements.(other than ad hoc cooperation); Justice and There is no blanket omnibus agreement,Home Affairs (other than Schengen of which no Treaty of Rome or equivalent; it is case-Switzerland is an associate member); Social by-case. After the rejection of the EEA,Policy (other than the coordination of national bilateral arrangements became the basis ofsocial security systems in the context of the Switzerlands trading relationship (and otherfree movement of persons); and Economic relationships) with the EU. When, in 2001, aand Monetary Union (EMU) are all excluded. popular initiative asked the government to open negotiations to join the EU, over 76%None of the bilateral agreements transfer of Swiss voters voted against.national Swiss authority to a supranational80'