On 30 May the president of the National Council, Dominique de Buman (PDC/FR), received the president of the Chamber of Deputies of the Romanian parliament, Liviu Dragnea.
During their official discussion the two presidents addressed a wide range of issues including the fiscal measures taken by Romania to create jobs and boost the economy, bilateral relations, the safeguard clause, Romania’s Schengen membership and Switzerland’s contribution to the expanded European Union (EU). They also discussed the priorities and challenges facing the Romanian presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2019. During these six months, Romania will have to negotiate the multiannual financial framework after 2019 and oversee the UK’s exit from the EU. The discussion between Mr De Buman and Mr Dragnea followed their meeting on the fringes of the Conference of Speakers of the European Parliaments on 23 April this year in Tallinn, Estonia.
The two presidents also lauded the numerous and close contacts between the Swiss and Romanian parliaments: Claude Hêche (SP/JU) was welcomed in Bucharest in 2015 in his capacity as president of the Council of States, as was Christa Markwalder (FDP/BE) in 2016 as president of the National Council. The Romanian delegation also showed great interest in Swiss expertise in vocational education and training, in particular in the hospitality sector, with a view to developing tourism in Romania.
During his official visit to Bern, Mr Dragnea also paid a courtesy visit to Alain Berset, President of the Confederation.