Switzerland and Austria maintain diverse and close relations and are closely linked through a common language and a lively economic and cultural exchange. The working meeting in Bern on 15 and 16 May provided an opportunity to cultivate these relations at parliamentary level. The Delegation from the Austria-Switzerland Parliamentary Group comprised its chairmain Norbert Sieber (ÖVP) and the MPs Reinhold Einwallner (SPÖ), Gerald Loacker (NEOS), Karl Schmiedhofer (ÖVP), Jakob Schwarz (Grüne) and Thomas Spalt (FPÖ).
The two delegations exchanged views in particular on the implementation of the strategic partnership agreed by the two foreign ministries in 2021. Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, they also discussed the form of neutrality in the two countries, focusing in particular on military policy issues such as cooperation with NATO's Partnership for Peace (PfP), the re-export of war materiel and the military budget. European policy and energy policy issues were also debated, which were then discussed in greater depth with the other dialogue partners. In addition to the discussions between the two delegations, a meeting took place with Brigitte Häberli-Koller, President of the Council of States, who is herself a member of the Del-A.
The Austrian parliamentary delegation paid a courtesy visit to Federal Councillor Albert Rösti, Head of the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), to discuss energy policy issues and cooperation in the field of cross-border transport infrastructure. Discussions focused on the current status of the S18 Lake Constance expressway since a large number of the Austrian delegates came from Vorarlberg. Switzerland’s intention to push ahead with the expansion of renewable energies was also discussed. In this context, Albert Rösti referred in particular to the revision of the Energy and Electricity Provision Act (consolidation legislation).
In view of the current security and defense policy challenges in Europe, the delegation also met with Joachim Adler, Head of Defence Policy at the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). The delegations also had the opportunity to discuss the similarities and differences between Swiss and Austrian neutrality policies with Professor Wolf Linder. Furthermore, the delegations exchanged views on economic policy developments with Jan Atteslander, Head of International Relations at Economiesuisse.
During
the working visit, a discussion with Brigitte Häberli-Koller, President of the Council of States, who is herself a member of the Del-A, was at the top of the agenda. f.l.t.r. in the back row: MPs Karl Schmiedhofer (ÖVP), Jakob Schwarz (Grüne) and Reinhold Einwallner (SPÖ); f.l.t.r. in the front row: MP Gerald Loacker (NEOS), Chairman Norbert Sieber (ÖVP), the Austrian ambassador to Switzerland, Maria Rotheiser-Scotti, President of the Council of States Brigitte Häberli-Koller, Chairman of the Del-A, Alex Kuprecht, the envoy of the Austrian embassy in Bern, Eva Schoefer, and Thomas Spalt (FPÖ).
The chairs of the Swiss and Austrian delegations in conversation. The working visit provided an opportunity to cultivate the already close relations.
The Austrian parliamentary delegation in a working meeting with Federal Councillor Albert Rösti and a representative of FEDRO and the SFOE.