The President of the National Council, Christa Markwalder (FDP/BE), will travel to Bucharest on 9 and 10 May at the invitation of the president of Romania’s Chamber of Deputies. Discussions will focus on bilateral relations, the implementation of Switzerland’s enlargement contribution towards new EU member states and general economic trends in southeastern Europe.

During a two-day visit to Bucharest, Christa Markwalder will meet her counterpart Valeriu Zgonea, the President of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies and Senator Georgică Severin, the chair of the ‘Romania-Switzerland’ parliamentary friendship group. In addition, a courtesy visit to Lazăr Comănescu, the Romanian foreign minister, will offer a welcome opportunity for talks with a government representative, and to foster bilateral relations between Switzerland and Romania.

During the two-day visit National Council president Christa Markwalder will also open the Romania-Switzerland Investment Forum, together with Costin Borc, the Romanian vice prime minister and economic affairs minister. In addition, Christa Markwalder will give a talk on ‘Switzerland and the EU – challenges and opportunities for a non-member state’ at a conference to mark Europe Day at the National School of Political Sciences and Public Administration. Also on the agenda are meetings with the Swiss chamber of commerce and representatives from civil society groups.

Before travelling to Romania National Council president Christa Markwalder attended the swearing-in ceremony of the Papal Swiss Guard at the Vatican and was among a delegation led by President Schneider-Ammann at an audience with Pope Francis. Christa Markwalder also spoke with Marina Sereni, Vice President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, and visited the Swiss Institute in Rome. 

 

 

Bern, 9 May 2016 Parliamentary Services