A delegation consisting of nine members of the National Council Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC-N) will travel to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia from 30 October to 3 November. As the Baltic states have always strongly defended their independence, autonomy and freedom, they have close ties with Switzerland. The main aim of the delegation’s trip is therefore to foster good relations with the three Baltic states. The delegation’s discussions will focus on current security and geopolitical issues against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. Meetings will also be held on the topics of cyber security and digitalisation, and the delegation will also visit various projects financed by Switzerland's cohesion contributions.

Lithuania

Bilateral relations between Switzerland and Lithuania are very good. Since Lithuania regained its independence in 1990, Switzerland has supported projects in the framework of its aid programme to Eastern Europe as well as its first and second EU contributions. During a visit to the maternity hospital in Vilnius, the delegation will gain a first-hand impression of how the hospital has benefited from the Swiss enlargement contribution to date and how it will continue to benefit from the implementation of the second contribution in future. At separate meetings with the Deputy Speaker of the Seimas and members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the delegation will discuss ways of further developing the existing good relations, prospects with regard to economic exchanges, and the important cooperation within the European community of values.

Latvia

In Riga, too, the delegation will address the concrete use of the second Swiss contribution. To that end, the delegation is scheduled to visit two projects, one aimed at cleaning up oil spills from the time of the Soviet occupation, and the other at promoting vocational education and training. The traditionally good bilateral relations between Switzerland and Latvia are to be further cultivated during working meetings with the Deputy Speaker of the Saeima and members of the Foreign Affairs Committee. The delegation will also discuss bilateral economic relations and, during a visit to the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, gain an insight into the targeted influencing of public perceptions and the dangers of disinformation campaigns.

Estonia

During their stay in Tallinn, the delegation will focus on fostering the excellent bilateral relations, and address digitalisation and cyber security issues. During working meetings with the President of the Riigikogu and members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, talks will focus on regional security issues and the threats posed by hybrid warfare. Estonia is considered a pioneer in the field of digital administration. All citizens have an electronic identity and more people voted digitally than physically in the 2023 parliamentary elections. At a meeting with representatives of the Information System Authority, the national competence centre that develops and manages the central platforms of the digital state, the delegation will learn about Estonia's experiences in the field of digital administration. A visit to the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, in which Switzerland is also represented, is also on the agenda. An exchange with the director of the centre and Swiss personnel on site will give the delegation the opportunity to discuss the challenges related to cyber attacks and possible defence structures.

Each year the Foreign Affairs Committees send a delegation on a fact-finding mission abroad. This year the FAC-N delegation will be led by its president, National Council member Franz Grüter (SVP, LU), accompanied by National Council members Andreas Aebi (SVP, BE), Jacqueline Badran (SP, ZH), Yvette Estermann (SVP, LU), Roland Fischer (GLP, LU), Claudia Friedl (SP, SG), Nicolas Walder (G, GE) and Laurent Wehrli (FDP, VD).

​