From 4 to 8 April, the President of the National Council, Irene Kälin, will make an official visit to Sweden and Finland, accompanied by a National Council delegation. The main topics of discussion will be the impact on security of the Russian attack on Ukraine and the resulting humanitarian situation, ecological transition, the fight against climate change, and science and innovation.

In Stockholm, the Swiss delegation will be received by Dr Andreas Norlén, Speaker of the Swedish Parliament, and will meet members of various parliamentary committees. Discussions will focus on the security and defence policy, the transition to a greener and carbon-neutral economy, and the interaction between parliament and government in European and UN affairs. During her stay in Stockholm, Ms Kälin will also pay a courtesy visit to HM the King Carl XVI Gustaf.

Other high-level meetings are also planned, including with Environment Minister Annika Strandhäll and Foreign Minister Ann Linde. Besides the war in Ukraine and bilateral relations, Switzerland's position with regard to the EU will also be discussed, in particular as Sweden will take over the EU Council presidency in January 2023.

On 6 April, the Swiss delegation will visit Sweden's first deep repository for radioactive waste in Forsmark and will then visit Uppsala University and its Innovation Centre. Switzerland and Sweden actively cooperate in the field of research and innovation.

The following day in Helsinki, Ms Kälin will meet her Finnish counterpart, Matti Vanhanen, along with other representatives of the Finnish parliament. The Swiss delegation will have the opportunity to discuss the changing security environment following the Russian attack on Ukraine, as well as Finland's cooperation and institutional relations with NATO.

Other high-level meetings in Helsinki include those with Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö and Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto. In addition to the war in Ukraine, the focus will be on bilateral relations between Switzerland and Finland and on Switzerland's European policy.

The following National Council members form the Swiss delegation:

  • Irène Kälin (Greens/AG), President of the National Council
  • Martin Candinas (The Centre/GR), Vice President of the National Council
  • Eric Nussbaumer (SP/BL), Second Vice President of the National Council
  • Philipp Matthias Bregy (The Centre/VS), leader of The Centre group
  • Damien Cottier (FDP/NE), FDP parliamentary group leader
  • Christian Imark (SVP/SO)
  • Tiana Angelina Moser (GLP, ZH), GLP parliamentary group leader
  • Aline Trede (Greens/BE), Green Party parliamentary group leader