At the invitation of the President of the Council of States, Filippo Lombardi (CVP, TI), a delegation comprising members of the Romanian Senate and headed by Crin Antonescu, President of the Senate, paid an official visit to Switzerland from 17 to 18 September. This was a return visit; a delegation comprising members of the Swiss Council of States and headed by the then President of the Council of States, Hans Altherr (FDP.The Liberals, AR), paid an official visit to Romania in May 2012.