The Moldovan delegation was welcomed to Bern on 7 June by National Council president Jürg Stahl. During the meeting, which was also attended by National Council member Christa Markwalder (FDP/BE), a range of subjects were discussed including the ongoing reforms in Moldova in the field of public health and the security challenges facing the young democracy. President Andrian Candu expressed his interest in exchanges and cooperation with Swiss members of parliament on issues such as free trade, energy policy and strengthening the financial centre.
Members of the Moldovan delegation then met with the president of the Council of States, Ivo Bischofberger, and discussed the importance of equipping young Moldovans with the skills to meet the labour force needs of the Moldovan economy and reducing the number of people leaving the country through job creation measures.
Andrian Candu, who showed great interest in Switzerland’s policy of neutrality, was able to discuss the subject with Council of States member, Christian Levrat (SP/FR), president of the Foreign Affairs Committee, as well as Ambassador Roberto Balzaretti, director of the Direction du droit international public at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). The Swiss delegation highlighted the fact that Switzerland’s policy of neutrality has evolved and adapted over time, particularly in light of Switzerland’s accession to the United Nations (UN) in 2002. The law on neutrality forbids Switzerland from participating in armed conflicts, fighting wars or providing financial support to countries at war. Neutrality policy depends on decisions taken by the Federal Council and the Federal Assembly. The Moldovan Parliament is currently considering a new bill on neutrality with the aim of bringing greater security and stability to the region, which has been burdened with the frozen conflict of Transnistria since the 1990s.
During a meeting with Manuel Sager, ambassador and director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the president of the Moldovan Parliament thanked Switzerland for its active support in the areas of public health and access to water. The SDC has had a cooperation office in Chisinau since 2000. Mr Sager also spoke of the SDC’s new strategy for Moldova for the period 2018-2021, which among other things aims to promote vocational education and training by supporting the private sector.
There was also a meeting between members of the Moldovan Parliament - members of the National Security and Law Review Committees – with René Bühler, deputy director of fedpol, on issues relating to the fight against terrorism, criminality and illegal immigration.
The meeting proved to be extremely interesting and instructive for both sides. Moldova and Switzerland have maintained very good relations since 1992. The two countries have much in common: both are relatively small, neutral and multicultural states. Andrian Candu has been president of the Moldovan Parliament since January 2015. The Moldovan Parliament has 101 seats and legislative elections take place every four years.