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A "Switzerland plus" deal is an option for the UK if it decides to go further in deepening its ties with the European Union, a senior member of the European Parliament has said.
Speaking in London on Thursday, Bernd Lange, a German politician who heads the Parliament's International Trade Committee, said the EU's "doors are open" to Britain.
"At the moment, my feeling is Switzerland plus," he said during a panel discussion at Europe House, suggesting this could involve "some kind of political cooperation" as well as agreements on areas such as trade, security, raw materials, and digital policy.
"Of course, the last step to come back is not forbidden. But that's in your hands," he added.
Lange, who was involved in Brexit negotiations, made the comments during a trip to London this week, where he is also due to meet with UK Trade Minister Anas Sarwar as well as MPs Stella Creasy and Liam Byrne to discuss options for bringing the UK and the EU "closer together."
The Guardian newspaper reported that Lange said a Switzerland plus deal could be negotiated within months of any decision to strengthen relations with Brussels and that he would "love to see the UK back."
Switzerland is not a member of the EU but has a number of bilateral agreements with the bloc that allows the country access to parts of the single market and ensures what it calls "smooth relations" across areas including trade, security, transport, and education. Switzerland pays a financial contribution to the EU's economic and social cohesion fund in return for its partial integration into the single market. The arrangement also includes free movement of people.
Brexit debate reopens
Lange's comments come as the Brexit debate has once again reignited across the UK after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham called for the country to readdress its relationship with Brussels.
Burnham told MPs last week that "sticking with the current status quo is not good enough for Britain" and that a conversation over future relations must be had "if we are serious about promoting growth, controlling immigration, upholding our values and security."
Burnham, who recently said Brexit had "done more harm than good," has repeatedly signalled his intention to move the UK closer to the EU and said re-entering the bloc was one of a number of potential options for the country.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has accused Burnham of "unpicking" the Brexit withdrawal agreement with the EU and warned he would not get a better deal.
A UK-EU summit is now set for 20 November.