Despite the great distance, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore are important partners for Switzerland. The delegation’s visit served to strengthen bilateral relations and allowed it to address geopolitical challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.
One of the first key aims of the information gathering trip was to closely examine political and economic developments in the Asia-Pacific region, which is important for Switzerland despite the great distance. The interplay between the USA and China as key actors in the region, and the associated economic and geopolitical challenges, were common themes during discussions. The delegation was able to recognise and indeed stress how important it is for the countries visited and for Switzerland to maintain open markets and a rule-based international order. Furthermore, cooperation between like-minded small and medium-sized democratic states with open economies is of prime importance in international bodies (e.g. UN and WTO). A recurring theme in the countries visited was the intention to swiftly implement the planned trans-Pacific free trade agreement (TPP 11) despite the USA’s withdrawal.
The second key aim of the visit was to foster contacts with the numerous Swiss businesses and large community of Swiss nationals living in the region. The delegation was interested to learn about the situation and concerns of Swiss abroad and discovered that difficulties persist in terms of access to Swiss banking services. The FAC-S will follow up on this matter (see motions 17.3626 and 18.3007).
Australia (11–13 April)
In Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne the FAC-S delegation met with representatives from the Australian parliament and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Home Affairs. Talks focused on Australia’s role in the region and political and economic relations with the USA and China, as well as the geopolitical importance of the Pacific region and its islands. The delegation was also interested in Australia’s efforts to promote free trade and in its immigration and refugee policy against the backdrop of global migration challenges. The delegation also took the opportunity to raise the possibility of re-opening an Australian embassy in Bern.
During their time in Sydney and Melbourne, the delegation had the opportunity to meet the finance ministers of the states of New South Wales and Victoria, and hold talks with representatives from Swiss businesses about the economic framework. Lastly, the delegation visited a RUAG plant in Bayswater, Victoria, to find out about Swiss-Australian cooperation in procurement.
New Zealand (8–10 April)
On the New Zealand leg of its visit, attention turned to the large community of resident Swiss nationals. The delegation was particularly concerned by the situation of Swiss retirees, whose Swiss state pensions are deducted from their New Zealand pensions, resulting in significant financial shortfalls for some.
In Wellington the delegation was received by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Trevor Mallard, and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters. Talks also took place with the Parliamentary Under-secretary for Foreign Affairs and the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee and other members of parliament. Here too discussions focused on geopolitical challenges in the region and trans-Pacific free trade. The delegation took the opportunity to raise the matter of the unsatisfactory situation of Swiss state pension claimants living in Switzerland and was briefed on plans by the New Zealand government to reform its pension system. Lastly the delegation was informed about the Small Advanced Economies Initiative, which Switzerland has been part of since 2015.
Singapore (6–7 April)
On the outbound journey the delegation made a layover in Singapore as the city state is Switzerland’s largest trade partner and most important investment location in southeast Asia. It met with vice foreign minister, Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, and was briefed among other things on the priorities of Singapore’s ASEAN presidency. Furthermore, the delegation visited the Singapore ETH Center and spoke with representatives from Swiss businesses and members of the local Swiss community.
The delegation was led by committee president Filippo Lombardi (CVP, TI) and comprised Council of States members Daniel Jositsch (SP, ZH), Thomas Minder (independent, SH), Philipp Müller (FDP, AG) and Damian Müller (FDP, LU).