Geographical level The thematic focus areas and objectives of this strategy will be implemented in all regions of the world and also multilaterally. The various priorities at the geographical level are outlined in the following sections. 5. Europe (EU) Switzerland is a European country, and the safeguarding of its interests around the world starts with Europe. It secures broad access to the single market and cooperates in many sectors with the EU, its individual member states and other European states such as the United Kingdom. Switzerland’s relations with Europe are the core issue of its foreign policy. For a country to successfully safeguard its interests, it needs to have strong strategic partnerships, particularly with its closest neighbours. Switzerland is located at the geographical heart of Europe, traditionally enjoys close ties with its neighbours in economic, scientific, demographic, social and cultural terms, and shares the same fundamental values. It is therefore in Switzerland’s interest to contribute to a strong and stable Europe that stands united for prosperity and sustainable development, security, peace, democracy and human rights worldwide. Switzerland’s relations with the EU and its member states have a special importance as the EU plays the leading role in setting European standards and in coordinating cooperation across the continent. Switzerland’s EU policy objectives remain securing and developing broad access to the single market, and cooperating with the EU in selected interest areas, while maintaining the greatest possible political autonomy. The EU remains Switzerland’s most important economic partner by far. Participation in the single market will remain crucial going forward to ensure a strong, internationally competitive Swiss economy and thus to protect jobs. The bilateral approach based on sectoral agreements constitutes Switzerland’s tailored approach to managing its relations with the EU. Besides market access agreements, the bilateral approach includes other cooperation areas, ranging from education and research to security, migration, asylum and environmental The EU: Switzerland's most important partner Switzerland – European Union Switzerland’s volume of trade in 2018 in bn CHF/year. Source: Swiss-Impex 1 bn/working day 263 172 40% 60% Switzerland – rest of the world 0.7 bn/working day Geographical level 21