The Swiss government is to hold a referendum on 4 March next year on whether the country should start immediate talks on joining the EU

Date: 02/11/00

Voters will be asked to decide whether to back an independent initiative which calls on the Swiss authorities to launch talks now. Supporters of the move have forced a binding referendum under Switzerland's system of direct democracy, but the government wants voters to reject the idea. Although it aims to join the Union eventually, it wants to be able to choose its own timetable and does not want to be committed to starting negotiations now.