National Council President Isabelle Moret (FPD, VD) met the President of the Austrian National Council, Wolfgang Sobotka, in Salzburg on 29 August. The visit focused on relations between the two neighbouring countries and the functioning of the two parliaments in the pandemic situation.

​Following his official working visit to Bern on 26 June, Mr Sobotka invited Ms Moret to visit Salzburg. Ms Moret was accompanied by Nicolo Paganini (CVP, SG), Vice President of the Delegation for Relations with the Austrian Parliament. Norbert Sieber, Chairman of the Austrian-Swiss parliamentary group also participated in the visit programme.
During her stay in Salzburg, Ms Moret stressed that “The importance of the close and friendly relations existing between Switzerland and its neighbours becomes particularly clear in times of crisis. The dialogue between our countries is an enrichment for both sides.” The talks focused on Coronavirus crisis management and on the impact of the pandemic in both countries. Mr Sobotka was particularly interested in the protection and hygiene measures taken by the Swiss Parliament in view of the autumn session.