Swiss to draft new immigration law by end of year

GENEVA (AP) — The Swiss government says it will propose a draft law by the end of the year that would impose curbs on immigration as sanctioned by a weekend referendum.

Government leaders, who had opposed the referendum to impose quotas on foreign workers, say they also will hold exploratory talks with the European Union on a package of agreements affected by the referendum's result that includes the free movement of people and goods across borders.

The nation's governing seven-member Federal Council said in a statement Wednesday it would have to renegotiate border agreements with Brussels and "clarify" other issues before introducing a new admissions system for all foreign nationals within three years as required by the referendum.