The president of the Slovenian parliament, Igor Zorčič, was paying a reciprocal visit to Bern following that of the former president of the National Council, Marina Carobbio Guscetti (SP/TI), to Ljubljana in May 2019. The visit provided an opportunity to further the parliamentary dialogue between Switzerland and Slovenia and highlight the two parliaments’ common experiences in dealing with the pandemic and the economic and social challenges of the crisis, as well as the intense and difficult political debates around these issues.
Mr Zorčič's visit to Bern was also an opportunity to explore Slovenia’s interest in further cooperation with Switzerland on renewable energies and to learn more about the measures Switzerland and its parliament have taken to guarantee the long-term financing of major infrastructure projects (rail and road funds), particularly through the Alps. The president of the Slovenian parliament was interested in the Swiss procedure for financing major infrastructure projects. He was able to discuss this with the vice-president of the National Council's Transport and Telecommunications Committee, National Councillor Jon Pult (SP/GR), and with the Director of the Federal Office of Transport (FOT), Peter Füglistaler, and his Deputy Director, Anna-Barbara Remund.
On the question of Slovenia's priorities when it assumes the presidency of the EU Council, Mr Zorčič mentioned strengthening crisis management and the rule of law within the EU, cyber security, implementing the EU recovery programme (Covid Recovery Fund / EU Next Generation), the process of EU enlargement to include the countries of the Western Balkans and defending the Schengen zone (borders). With regard to relations between Switzerland and the European Union and the institutional framework agreement, the president of the Slovenian Parliament expressed his wish that Switzerland and the EU reach an agreement, confirming his awareness of Switzerland's interests vis-à-vis the EU and vice versa during his meeting with the President of the EFTA/EU Delegation, National Councillor Eric Nussbaumer (SP/BL).
The president of the Slovenian parliament also paid courtesy visits to Guy Parmelin, President of the Swiss Confederation, and Alex Kuprecht (SVP/SZ), President of the Council of States. Mr Zorčič and Mr Kuprecht discussed the difficulties faced by the Swiss Parliament in drafting the Covid-19 Act, which enables the economy and companies to function despite the crisis, and the measures taken by the government to avoid bankruptcies and safeguard jobs.
Slovenia is an important partner for Switzerland: there is excellent cooperation between the two countries, both bilaterally and multilaterally. As part of its first contribution to EU enlargement, Switzerland been involved in various projects in Slovenia in the areas of renewable energies and health. Trade relations between the two countries have also picked up since 2018 thanks to exports of Swiss chemicals and pharmaceuticals to Slovenia.
Photo gallery of the official visit by the president of the Slovenian Parliament, Igor Zorčič, on 17 March 2021.