On 12 June 2015, members of the EFTA/ EU delegation met in Zurich with members of the European Parliament's Delegation responsible for relations with Switzerland (SINEEA Delegation). The members of the two delegations discussed bilateral relations with the Head of the Western Europe Division at the European External Action Service, Mr. Gianluca GRIPPA, and the Deputy Head of the Swiss Mission to the EU in Brussels, Mr. Josef Philipp RENGGLI.
The heads of both delegations, National Councillor Kathy RIKLIN and MEP Jørn DOHRMANN, stressed the common interest of Switzerland and the EU in upholding the ex-isting bilateral agreements and in continuing talks, in particular on a future institutional framework, in parallel with the discussions on free movement of persons. Special attention was also given to the importance of continuing efforts towards achieving the full implementation of the internal market, including the need to take account of the accession of Croatia to the EU. Migration issues in the context of Schengen/Dublin were also raised.
In addition, members of both delegations discussed the progress achieved in the ongoing negotiations for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Agreement between the EU and the US. They further noted that the conclusion of the TTIP creates the prospect of a broad economic space, which could be widened to include third countries with high and similar levels of ambition once bilateral negotiations are concluded. Switzerland remains a close trade and economic partner of the EU.
Members of the Federal Assembly Delegation in attendance:
| Kathy RIKLIN |
Christian Democratic Party (President) |
| Thomas AESCHI |
Swiss People's Party (Vice-President) |
| Ignazio CASSIS |
FDP The Liberals |
| Hannes GERMANN |
Swiss People's Party |
| Eric NUSSBAUMER |
Social Democratic Party |
Roland Rino BÜCHEL |
Swiss People's Party (Vice-President Foreign Af-fairs Committee) |
Members of the European Parliament Delegation in attendance:
| Jørn DOHRMANN |
ECR, Denmark (Chair) |
| Mercedes BRESSO |
S&D, Italy |
| Norbert LINS |
EPP, Germany |
| Angelika MILNAR |
ALDE, Austria |
| Paul RUBIG |
EPP, Austria |
| Catherine STIHLER |
S&D, United Kingdom |
Anne SANDER |
EPP, France (rapporteur) |
| Danuta JAZŁOWIECKA |
EPP, Poland (rapporteur) |
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Abbreviations
ALDE Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
ECR European Conservatives and Reformists
EPP European People’s Party Christian-Democratic Group
S&D Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
Zurich, 12 June 2015 Parliamentary Services