The Delegation for Relations with the German Bundestag (Del-D) visited Berlin from 10 to 12 April and exchanged views with members of the Bundestag on bilateral relations and European and transport policy issues.

In Berlin, the Delegation was received by the German-Swiss parliamentary group, led by the group’s president, Felix Schreiner. The aim of the visit was to maintain relations between the two parliaments and to exchange views on various bilateral issues. In addition to current European policy matters (Brexit, institutional framework agreement), the talks focused on transport issues (such as the arrival and departure regimes at Zurich airport and the NRLA feeder routes) and the reception of SRG channels in Germany.

The two parliamentary groups have taken note of the SRG’s intention to stop broadcasting its channels via DVB-T on 3 June. This would mean that the broadcaster would no longer be available in neighbouring Germany, which would diminish the cultural and information exchange. With the aim of ensuring that free-to-air reception of Swiss television continues in Germany, the Del-D chairman and Council of States member, Joachim Eder, and the chairman of the German-Swiss parliamentary group, Felix Schreiner, issued a joint statement.

In addition to the meetings with the German parliamentary group, discussions took place in Berlin with members of the European Affairs Committee, the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Transport. The Delegation was also received by Daniel Günther, President of Germany’s Federal Council, Hans-Peter Friedrich, Vice President of the German Bundestag and Niels Annen, Minister of State of the Federal Foreign Office. In addition, the Delegation exchanged views with the State Representation of Baden-Württemberg and attended the ceremony to mark 300 years of the Principality of Liechtenstein at the German Parliamentary Society.

The Delegation for Relations with the German Bundestag was led by Council of States member Joachim Eder (FDP, ZG). The meeting was also attended by the Del-D vice chairman and National Council member Thomas Hardegger (SP, ZH), and National Council members Adrian Amstutz (SVP, BE), Albert Rösti (SVP, BE), Kathy Riklin (CVP, ZH) and Peter Schilliger (FDP, LU).