Against the backdrop of the close ties between Switzerland and Italy, both parliamentary presidents reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening their relations. The meetings focused primarily on the countries’ bilateral relations, collaboration in the European context, as well as the current international situation.
In addition to discussing the new
agreement on the taxation of cross-border commuters, which is now going through the ratification process in the Italian Parliament following its ratification by the Swiss Parliament, Ms Kälin and Mr Fico discussed the armed conflict in Ukraine and its consequences for Europe. Discussions of relations with the European Union also focused on the consequences of Switzerland’s non-association to the EU Horizon Europe research framework programme.
During his visit Mr Fico met with members of the
Delegation for relations with the Italian Parliament (Del-I), including National Council member Greta Gysin (Greens, TI), the delegation president. In addition to bilateral relations, the current international situation and collaboration in the European context, meetings with the Del-I looked at management of the COVID-19 crisis at parliamentary level.
Mr Fico also paid a courtesy visit to Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer, representing the President of the Confederation, as well as meeting with Federal Department of Foreign Affairs State Secretary Livia Leu.
Prior to this visit, Council presidents Thomas Hefti (PLR, GL) and Irène Kälin
travelled to Rome at the start of May to meet with the president of the Italian senate, Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati. Mr Fico has received previous presidents of the National Council in recent years: Marina Carobbio Guscetti (SP, TI)
in 2019 and Dominique de Buman (The Centre, FR)
in 2018.
Switzerland maintains close relations with its neighbouring countries.
Standing delegations foster bilateral interparliamentary dialogue, and official visits are regularly made at the level of parliamentary president. This is now the case with Italy: Switzerland's southern neighbour is its third-largest trading partner, and Italians make up the
largest group of foreign nationals living in Switzerland. After the difficulties in maintaining parliamentary relations during the pandemic, the two parliaments are now stepping up their direct exchanges again.
President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Roberto Fico pays an official visit to the Swiss Parliament
Roberto Fico was received in Bern by Irène Kälin, President of the National Council. Seen at the front-right is Council of States member Marina Carobbio Guscetti (SP, TI), former National Council president (2018/19)
National Council President Irène Kälin meets with President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Roberto Fico
Roberto Fico, President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, also met with several members of the Delegation for relations with the Italian Parliament (Del-I), led by Delegation President Greta Gysin (Greens, TI)