At the EFTA Ministerial Meeting in June, which took place in Borgarnes, Iceland, the EFTA states and Kosovo officially launched free trade negotiations. The first round of negotiations took place in Geneva between 29 and 31 August. EFTA aims to achieve a modern and comprehensive free trade agreement that promotes preferential trade relations between the states involved and contributes to sustainable development.
In order to reaffirm Switzerland's interest in a comprehensive, ambitious agreement at parliamentary level and to obtain first-hand information on Kosovo's position in these negotiations, three members of the EFTA/EU delegation are to travel to Pristina. The programme of the working visit includes talks with the Kosovan trade and industry minister and its chief negotiator. In addition, talks will be held with representatives from a number of business associations and civil society organisations. In addition, an exchange with members of the Economic Commission and the Switzerland-Kosovo Friendship Group is set to take place in parliament. The delegation will also visit Swisscoy, Switzerland’s peacekeeping mission.
On this working visit, the EFTA/EU Delegation will be represented by its president, Council of States member Benedikt Würth (The Centre, SG), National Council member Hans-Peter Portmann (FDP, ZH) and Council of States member Hannes Germann (SVP, SH).