From 3 to 8 October 2021, Alex Kuprecht (SVP, SZ), president of the Council of States, visited the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. The delegation trip focused on relations with EU member states and on the countries' experiences responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Against the backdrop of the pandemic and current developments in European policy, maintaining relations with European partners is more important than ever for Switzerland. For this reason, Mr Kuprecht decided that the delegation trip under his presidency would go to the Benelux countries. Switzerland has longstanding friendly relations with the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, and shares many common interests with these countries, not least in the area of foreign policy.

The Council of States delegation's working visit started on 3 October in The Hague and proceeded to Brussels (5 and 6 October), finally ending in Luxembourg on 8 October. In each of the three capitals, the delegation was received by representatives of the parliaments and the executive branch. The talks focused on bilateral relations, Switzerland's European policy and various current foreign policy challenges and global issues. The trip also provided an opportunity to discuss these countries' responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and the role their parliaments play in this process. Last but not least, the delegation paid a visit to the European Police Office Europol while in The Hague, and in Brussels met with representatives of NATO.

The delegation comprised President of the Council of States Alex Kuprecht (SVP, SZ), First Vice-President Thomas Hefti (FDP, GL), Second Vice-President Brigitte Häberli-Koller (The Centre, TG) and Councillors of States Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (SP, JU) and Maya Graf (The Greens, BL).


In the Netherlands: President of the Council of States Alex Kuprecht and President of the Senate of the Netherlands Jan Anthonie

In the Netherlands: President of the Council of States Alex Kuprecht and President of the Senate of the Netherlands Jan Anthonie Bruijn (centre), with delegation members and members of the Dutch Parliament.

In Belgium: President of the Council of States Alex Kuprecht with President of the Senate of Belgium Stephanie D'Hose (left) and

In Belgium: President of the Council of States Alex Kuprecht with President of the Senate of Belgium Stephanie D'Hose (left) and President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives Eliane Tillieux (right).

At NATO: The delegation in conversation with NATO's Assistant Secretary General Baiba Braže (right).

At NATO: The delegation in conversation with NATO's Assistant Secretary General Baiba Braže (right).

In Luxembourg: First Vice-President Thomas Hefti, Councillor of States Elisabeth Baume-Scheider, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, P

In Luxembourg: First Vice-President Thomas Hefti, Councillor of States Elisabeth Baume-Scheider, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, President of the Council of States Alex Kuprecht, Finance Minister Pierre Gramegna, Second Vice-President Brigitte Häberli-Koller, Secretary of the Council of States Martina Buol and Councillor of States Maya Graf (from left to right).