Switzerland is not a member of the EU (Image: GETTY) Meanwhile Pieter Cleppe, head of the Open Europe think tank’s Brussels Office, has said indications were the Swiss people would reject the proposals if, like the British with Brexit in 2016, they were consulted in a national referendum. The mountainous country is not a member of the EU, but is surrounded by member states on all sides. Some Brexiteers have suggested Britain should model its future relationship with Brussels on that of Bern. Related articles Swiss on collision course with Juncker’s EU Switzerland FIGHTS BACK at EU: Crisis looms However, Eurocrats have deemed the traditional bi-lateral accords unacceptable, and in December gave Switzerland a six-month ultimatum, urging it to accept the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) as well as EU legislation with respect to migration, social security and other key policy areas.The approach has angered many who have accused European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and colleagues of trying to bully the Swiss and lock them into a subservient relationship with the EU.Thomas Aeschi, leader of the Swiss People’s Party, was quick to make a comparison with Brexit.He told the Telegraph: “This is a carbon copy of the UK transition agreement but with the difference that for us it is permanent. Swiss President Ueli Maurer believes the Swiss would reject the idea in a referendum (Image: GETTY) “We end up becoming a permanently passive member of the EU without voting rights.“It would be better to join the EU than accept this.”Mr Aeschi also pointed out the legal framework for relations between the EU and Switzerland was just 30 pages long, rather than 585-page withdrawal agreement which has been thrashed out (but still not ratified) between London and Brussels.His concerns centre on clause which will allow the ECJ to legislate in areas ranging from taxation to farming, healthcare to policies within his country’s 26 regions, known as cantons. Swiss People's Party leader Thomas Aeschi compared the situation with Brexit (Image: GETTY) If Switzerland refuses to comply, Brussels may opt to remove recognition for the SIX Swiss Exchange and initiate a process which would deny access to the EU’s economy, the world’s largest trading bloc.In the face of such pressure, Swiss business leaders are digging their heels in, with Nicolas Hayek, the founder and chairman of Swatch, telling Radio SRF: “We shouldn’t allow ourselves to be rushed and we shouldn’t be blackmailed.”He also suggested Switzerland might even turn elsewhere, adding: “The US and China are also big markets and they like our products.”The Swiss canton of Ticino has already vowed to reject the deal when it comes before the country’s upper house later this month, with other regions including Schwyz and Zug, also highly dubious. Related articles UK can get upper hand in Brexit talks by making EU focus on THIS co... Swiss model offers UK a BREXIT BLUEPRINT for dealing with EU The EU, led by Jean-Claude Juncker, wants Switzerland to be closely aligned with the bloc (Image: GETTY) Maurer believes Swiss voters would not agree to the proposed version if it comes to a referendum. Pieter Cleppe Corrodo Padrini, a leader of the Unia trade union, said: “The Federal Council is slowly coming to the conclusion that agreement has no chance in Switzerland.”Mr Cleppe said it was “possible” the Swiss could reject the EU demands.He told Express.co.uk: “Swiss President Ueli Maurer has urged the European Union to renegotiate parts of a deal to create framework conditions governing future ties between the two sides. “Maurer believes Swiss voters would not agree to the proposed version if it comes to a referendum. “The proposed overarching agreement on the table covers five of the larger bilateral deals: free movement of persons, mutual recognition of industrial standards, agricultural products, air transport and land transport. “Under the negotiated accord, Swiss rules would automatically adapt to be in line with EU law. “The treaty would also aim to provide a more effective platform to resolve disputes using arbitration panels to handle disagreements while still giving the European Court of Justice (ECJ) a say in how to interpret law.”All rights reserved for this news site express.co.uk and under his responsibility