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The federal popular initiative "Yes to Europe" was a popular initiative that was put to the vote on March 4, 2001, and was rejected. It demanded the immediate commencement of accession negotiations on Switzerland's entry into the European Union. The initiative was launched by the initiative committee on February 21, 1995, after voters had rejected accession to the European Economic Area in 1992 and the Federal Council had frozen the earlier application for accession for an indefinite period. The proponents and initiators argued that Switzerland was bound by various laws of the European Union because of the bilateral agreements, but would have no right of co-determination or decision-making. The Swiss government as well as both chambers of parliament recommended that the people reject the referendum. In the referendum booklet (information brochure for the vote), the Federal Council wrote that it was seeking accession to the European Union at that time, but that the initiative called for too rapid an approach. (wp)