The Swiss Delegation for Relations with the Italian Parliament paid a working visit to Rome from 3 to 5 November at the invitation of the chair of the Italian parliament's Italian–Swiss Friendship Group, Deputy Cristian Romaniello (Mixed group/Lombardy). During the working visit, the Swiss delegation led by Council of States member Marco Chiesa (SVP/TI) held a number of meetings at parliamentary level.

On arriving in Rome, Mr Chiesa and the Delegation were received by Mr Romaniello and Monika Schmutz Kirgöz, the Swiss Ambassador to Italy. Various meetings were held with selected standing committees of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the Republic: Foreign Affairs and Emigration; Finance; Transport; Environment, Territory and Public Works; and Economic Activities, Trade and Tourism. The Delegation was also received for a courtesy meeting with the Secretary of the Presidency of the Senate, Francesco Maria Giro (FIBP-Union of the Centre/Lazio), and met with the President of the Italian group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Senator Pier Ferdinando Casini (For the Autonomies group/Emilia-Romagna).

Discussions focused on cross-border and bilateral relations. Both sides expressed their willingness to strengthen and further develop their ties, including at parliamentary level.

Topics for discussion regarding taxation and financial relations included the new agreement on the taxation of cross-border workers which is awaiting ratification by the Swiss and Italian parliaments, and updating the criteria for identifying countries with privileged taxation for individuals (black lists). In the field of cross-border financial services, the Delegation expressed the hope that the bilateral dialogue would enable market access solutions in the interest of both countries to be identified and implemented as soon as possible.

Work with Italy in the field of transport is also under consideration: the commissioning of the Monte Ceneri base tunnel has brought new momentum, and the Delegation highlighted the importance of making the rail network more attractive in order to promote the shift to rail transport. This modal shift will help the two countries to achieve the sustainable climate objectives they have adopted.

The delegations also tackled topical issues such as relations with the European Union, energy supply and the ecological transition. They looked at the development of bilateral cooperation, including economic cooperation, against the backdrop of European economic recovery and the Italian Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) and related reforms, such as administrative simplification and judicial reform.

Originally scheduled for 2020, this working visit had to be postponed to this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Italian Parliament's Italian–Swiss Friendship Group and the Swiss Parliament's Delegation met officially for the first time in their new formations following parliamentary elections in Italy (2018) and Switzerland (2019).

Italy is Switzerland's third most important trading partner. Relations between the two countries enjoy close political, human and cultural relations and visits take place frequently at all levels. The most important institutionalised platforms include the economic dialogue, the dialogue on cross-border cooperation and the Switzerland–Italy Dialogue Forum. In addition, regular high-level meetings are held on the topics of transport, energy and sectoral policies. In 2020, Switzerland exported goods worth CHF 12.9 billion to Italy and imported goods totalling CHF 16.8 billion, resulting in a total trade volume of CHF 29.7 billion.

The Swiss Delegation was composed of its president, Council of States member Marco Chiesa, and National Council members Anna Giacometti (FDP/GR) and Piero Marchesi (SVP/TI).

1. Meeting of the Delegation for Relations with the Italian Parliament and the Finance Committee of the Italian Chamber of Deputies in Rome

1.    Meeting of the Delegation for Relations with the Italian Parliament and the Finance Committee of the Italian Chamber of Deputies in Rome


2. Meeting of the Delegation for Relations with the Italian Parliament and the Italian Committee on Foreign Affairs and Emigration at the Senate of the Republic

2.    Meeting of the Delegation for Relations with the Italian Parliament and the Italian Committee on Foreign Affairs and Emigration at the Senate of the Republic


3. Reception of the Delegation in Rome by the President of the Italian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Senator Pier Ferdinando Casini (For the Autonomies group/Emilia-Romagna).

3.    Reception of the Delegation in Rome by the President of the Italian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Senator Pier Ferdinando Casini (For the Autonomies group/Emilia-Romagna).


4. Meeting of the Delegation for Relations with the Italian Parliament at Palazzo Montecitorio with the Chamber of Deputies Committee on Economic Activities, Commerce and Tourism

4.    Meeting of the Delegation for Relations with the Italian Parliament at Palazzo Montecitorio with the Chamber of Deputies Committee on Economic Activities, Commerce and Tourism