Package of agreements between Switzerland and the EU
Against the backdrop of the Federal Council's approval of the package of agreements aimed at stabilising and developing bilateral relations and the opening of the public consultation, the meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on elements of the package of agreements following the publication of the texts and explanatory documents.
The talks went on to cover the respective internal ratification processes, the envisaged timetable and the role of parliaments in both Switzerland and the EU.
The delegations also raised the prospect of institutionalising parliamentary cooperation as provided for in the package of agreements and establishing a joint parliamentary committee. They expressed the desire to deepen that discussion at a future meeting to determine the modalities. In addition, the FAC-N will travel to Brussels on 12 and 13 November during a plenary session of the European Parliament.
Geopolitical situation
The delegations also discussed the geopolitical context in which the ambition to stabilise and develop the bilateral partnership is taking place. The challenge to the rules-based multilateral system, the tariffs introduced by the United States and the deterioration of the security landscape in Europe and its immediate surroundings are issues of common concern to Switzerland and the EU. The delegations expressed their desire to continue their close cooperation in order to address these challenges.
The National Council FAC delegation consisted of its president, Laurent Wehrli (FDP, VD), Christine Badertscher (Greens, BE), Fabian Molina (SP, ZH), Eric Nussbaumer (SP, BL), Hans-Peter Portmann (FDP, ZH) and Elisabeth Schneider-Schneiter (The Centre, BL).
The Council of States FAC delegation was represented by its president, Marco Chiesa (SVP, TI), Isabelle Chassot (The Centre, FR), Hannes Germann (SVP, SH), Matthias Michel (FDP, SO), Carlo Sommaruga (SP, GE) and Benedikt Würth (The Centre, SG).
Photos of the meeting