In 2006, Switzerland approved 1 billion francs of supportive investment in the poorer Southern and Central European countries in support of cooperation and positive ties to the EU as a whole. A further referendum will be needed to approve 300 million francs to support Romania and Bulgaria and their recent admission. The Swiss have also been under EU and sometimes international pressure to reduce banking secrecy and to raise tax rates to parity with the EU. Preparatory discussions are being opened in four new areas: opening up the electricity market, participation in the European GNSS project Galileo, cooperating with the European centre for disease prevention and recognising certificates of origin for food products. COUNT 3
QSN1 In 2006, what did Switzerland approve 1 billion francs of supportive investment for? ANS1 poorer Southern and Central European countries QSN2 What have the Swiss been under EU and national pressure to reduce in terms of banking? ANS2 secrecy QSN3 What have the Swiss been under pressure from the EU to do in terms of tax rates? ANS3 raise tax rates to parity with the EU