Switzerland remains confident of reaching a deal with the European Union to limit immigration before a February 2017 deadline, the Swiss president told a newspaper on Thursday, even though talks are on hold until after Britain's Brexit vote, Reuters reported. The Swiss government is looking to enforce a binding 2014 referendum vote requiring immigrant quotas. But such limits would violate a bilateral pact with Brussels guaranteeing freedom of movement for EU workers. Talks are on hold until after Britain's June 23 national vote on whether to leave the bloc, as Brussels is worried they could encourage the British 'Out' camp, a senior Swiss official said in February. "I remain confident," President Johann Schneider-Ammann told the Neue Zuercher Zeitung, adding that it was in the interest of the EU to keep normal relations with Switzerland.
