On June 28, the president of the Council of States, Jean-René Fournier (PDC/VS), welcomed the president of Russia’s Federation Council, Valentina Matvienko, and an accompanying delegation to Bern. This working visit took place on the fringes of the 130th anniversary celebrations of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva and the International Day of Parliamentarism on 30 June, which Ms Matvienko also attended.

Jean-René Fournier, the president of the Council of States, held talks with Valentina Matvienko, the president of the Federation Council (upper chamber of the Russian parliament) on Friday 28 June in the Bellevue Palace Hotel in Bern.

Bilateral relations

Ms Matvienko welcomed the dialogue between Switzerland and Russia at all levels and expressed her satisfaction with the development of relations between the two countries since the signing of a memorandum of understanding in 2007. She mentioned the working meeting between the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Ignazio Cassis, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on 19 June, during Federal Councillor Cassis’ visit to Moscow for the inauguration of the new Swiss embassy building. Mr Fournier emphasised that this embassy, which is one of the most important Swiss representations abroad, illustrates the importance Switzerland attaches to Russia, and the quality of the bilateral relations.

With regard to Switzerland’s protecting power mandate representing Russia’s interests in Georgia and Tbilisi’s interests in Moscow, Mr Fournier said it was hoped that Switzerland could continue to play this role and work towards re-establishing dialogue between the two countries.

Council of Europe

Mr Fournier welcomed the return of the Russian parliamentarians to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the constructive role that Russia will now play in PACE. Ms Matvienko paid tribute to Liliane Maury Pasquier (PS/GE), member of the Council of States and PACE President, in recognition of the considerable restraint, determination and professionalism she exercised in securing the lifting of sanctions against the Russian delegation.

The situation in Ukraine and Crimea was also discussed during the working visit. Mr Fournier several times pointed out the need to strengthen the dialogue, in particular on the conflict in Ukraine.

Representatives of the two countries regularly meet and communicate both at a parliamentary and governmental level. In mid-October, Ms Matvienko will receive her counterpart Mr Fournier in Moscow on an official trip to Russia and Azerbaijan.

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