The discussions between Council of States president Andrea Caroni and the president of the Dutch Senate, Jan Anthonie Bruijn, will focus on the strong bilateral and economic relations between the two countries. Economic exchanges between Switzerland and the Netherlands are particularly dynamic, both in terms of investment and trade, amounting to CHF 12.6 billion in 2024. The Netherlands is one of Switzerland's most important partners in research and innovation: Over the last 30 years, innovation players from Switzerland and the Netherlands have been involved in no fewer than 141 joint innovation projects. The two countries also share interests in strategic sectors such as pharmaceuticals and chemicals, agriculture and mechanical engineering.
As well as enhancing bilateral relations, the visit by an important European partner also provides an opportunity to discuss current relations between Switzerland and the EU and, in particular, the next steps regarding the Switzerland-EU package. Global challenges linked to the current geopolitical situation, in particular trade tensions with the United States, the war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza, will also be discussed.
Talks will also focus on the importance of the Rhine as a physical and symbolic link between Switzerland and the Netherlands. As a vital route for European trade, the Rhine links the strategic ports of Rotterdam and Basel and plays a key role in Swiss logistics. Other points in common, such as federalism and bicameralism, will also form part of the discussions between the two parliamentary presidents.
This visit reflects the excellent relations between the two parliaments. In October 2024, the then president of the National Council, Eric Nussbaumer (SP, BL), visited The Hague, where he met his counterpart from the Dutch House of Representatives.