Martin Candinas, President of the National Council, and a National Council delegation will pay official visits to Brazil and Uruguay from 21 to 26 May. The focus of the visits will be on Switzerland's bilateral relations with the two South American states, trade relations between EFTA and Mercosur, and the protection of the Amazon.

During their stay in Brazil and Uruguay, the parliamentary delegation will focus on trade and sustainable development with particular emphasis on addressing environmental protection and the protection of the Amazon. Brazil is home to almost two thirds of the Amazon rainforest and is a key player in the fight against climate change. Brazil is also Switzerland's most important trading partner in Latin America. In 2022, Swiss companies exported goods worth CHF 2.4 billion to Brazil and numerous Swiss companies are based in the country. Switzerland has historically close ties with Uruguay due to the many Swiss nationals who emigrated to the country in the 19th century. Both Brazil and Uruguay are members of the Mercosur economic organisation, with which Switzerland concluded a free trade agreement in substance as part of EFTA in 2019.

The programme begins on 21 May with a field visit to Belém in the north of Brazil, where the Swiss delegation will address the issues of environmental protection and the sustainable use of the Amazon while meeting representatives from local authorities and civil society. The delegation will then travel on to Brasilia, where it will hold official meetings with the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Arthur Lira, and the President of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco. Talks are also scheduled to take place at the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Environment. On the third leg, the delegation will meet with representatives from Swiss companies in São Paolo and visit projects on vocational education and training and support for disadvantaged families.

On 25 May, the Council members will travel on to Uruguay. In Montevideo, the delegation will be received by Beatriz Argimón, Vice President of the Republic and President of the Senate, and by Sebastian Andujar, President of the Chamber of Deputies. An exchange with members of Congress is also planned, and talks are also set to take place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with representatives of various Swiss companies.

The Swiss Delegation is composed of the following Council members:

  • Martin Candinas (The Centre, GR), National Council president
  • Eric Nussbaumer (SP, BL), First vice president of the National Council
  • Maja Riniker (FDP, AG), Second vice president of the National Council
  • Thomas Aeschi (SVP, ZG), National Council member, president of the SVP parliamentary group
  • Philipp Matthias Bregy (The Centre, VS), National Council member, president of The Centre parliamentary group
  • Aline Trede (The Greens, BE), National Council member, president of The Greens parliamentary group
  • Roland Fischer (GLP, LU), National Council member