The Swiss president Viola Amherd hailed the signing of a new deal between Switzerland and the EU on Friday as 'good and beneficial' for both sides
But Amherd acknowledged that the government's green light was just the first step on the road to refreshing relations between Switzerland and its biggest trading partner.
After legal review and formal conclusion, "Switzerland, its parliament and voters will take the lead," she said.
Under the country's direct-democracy system, the public will likely have the final word in a referendum.
A sticking point in the talks had been Switzerland's efforts to secure an exemption to the EU's cherished free movement of people between countries.
'Separate slices - four referendums
Fearing it could be tough to win over voters, Bern last week reportedly changed its strategy, cutting the package of agreements into separate "slices", according to Swiss public broadcaster SRF.
Each slice could then be put to a referendum separately, in the hope that it will be easier to win support on each narrow set of issues than on a broad package.
The Swiss Trade Union Federation has already called for further negotiations, warning that the agreement as it currently stands risks hitting Swiss wages.
Unions have also voiced concern at the potential impacts on Switzerland's rail and electricity sectors.
The Swiss business federation Economiesuisse supports an agreement.
It said a deal would "enable Switzerland to maintain the current conditions, allowing its economy to access the European market, and to develop them in important areas".
In other words whilst a deal has been struck there is still a long way to go before it comes into force and it may yet be rejected.
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