(as of mai 2011)
Participation of the FACs in shaping Switzerland’s foreign policy
According to art. 184 of the federal constitution, the Federal Council is responsible for drawing up and implementing foreign policy. It is obliged respect the Federal Assembly’s right to participate in this process, however. In effect, by virtue of art. 166, para. 1, of the constitution, the Federal Assembly helps to draw up foreign policy and monitors relations with other countries. More precisely, and according to art. 24 of the Parliament Act, the Federal Assembly follows the development of international politics and plays a role in the decision-making process with regard to important issues concerning foreign policy. To comply with this stipulation, the Federal Council is obliged to provide the relevant Committees regularly and promptly with full information about important events regarding foreign policy (art. 152, para. 2 of the Parliament Act). Accordingly, at each meeting the Federal Council informs the FACs of the current state of foreign policy and foreign economic policy and about recent developments in Switzerland’s relations with the European Union as well as within the EU . Finally, the Federal Council consults the Committees on the main directions of foreign policy as well as directives or guidelines concerning any mandate for important international negotiations (art. 152, para. 3 of the Parliament Act).
Swiss foreign policy
10.111 sn 2010 Report on Foreign Policy
This Report on Foreign Policy is a response to the postulate put forward by the FAC-S under the title “Periodic reports by the Federal Council to the Foreign Affairs Committees” (06.3417), which called for the Federal Council to set out the advantages and disadvantages of a single document, drawn up each year, which summarised all Switzerland’s activities in the field of foreign policy in comparison with the reports that were issued periodically until 2009.
The 2010 Report on Foreign Policy, which is the second annual report after that of 2009, gives an overview of Switzerland’s more important activities with regard to foreign policy during the second half of 2009 and the first half of 2010. It reveals in more detail the influence that Switzerland can wield in the context of globalisation and the tools the country has for doing so. It also provides information on the principles of Swiss foreign policy and the challenges it has to face.
At its meeting on 17 and 18 January 2011, the FAC-S noted that the report provided a large amount of detailed information about the principles of Swiss foreign policy and the various challenges it has to face. The Committee regretted, however, that the report lacked information on strategy and clearly defined objectives. In addition, the Committee was of the opinion that it would have been helpful to provide, here and there, an analysis of the major issues in foreign policy that Switzerland is having to resolve. The members of the Committee were also unanimous in considering that the influence that Switzerland can wield at an international level is going to be steadily eroded. After examining it in detail, the Committee took note of the report.
On 31 January and 1 February 2011, the FAC-N examined the report in turn and took note of its contents. Discussions centred in particular on European policy, development cooperation, immigration, the role played by Geneva as the host city for various international organisations, promoting peace and neutrality. Various members of the Committee underlined the fact that the report did not set out any clear guidelines nor long-term objectives. The Council of States and the National Council took note of the report on 2 and 17 March 2011 respectively.
Switzerland and the European Union
10.3005 CS motion Measures to ensure that parliament is informed promptly of important European bills
During its examination of the 2009 Report on Foreign Policy, the FAC-S put forward a motion which was approved by the Council of States during the 2010 spring session. This motion calls for the Federal Council to submit to parliament measures aimed at ensuring that the Federal Assembly is informed, in good time, in an appropriate way and according to a procedure that includes the Federal Council’s opinion on the various options open to Switzerland, of any EU bills that may affect this country.
On 17 May 2010 the FAC-N decided by 12 votes to 9 to modify the motion whereby the Federal Council’s opinion would not be systematically required. The Committee agreed that it was important that parliament be consulted on European bills that affected Switzerland, but the majority felt that routinely asking for the Federal Council’s opinion would only complicate the transmission of information. On 13 September 2010 the National Council decided to comply with the majority of its Committee and to accept the modified motion. It was examined by the FAC-S on 20 October 2010, which decided unanimously to accept the modified version. On 9 December 2010 the Council of States followed its Committee in accepting the compromise proposed by the National Council. The motion was therefore passed to the Federal Council for implementation.
10.086 Evaluation of Switzerland’s policy regarding the EU
10.088 Relations between Switzerland and EU agencies
At their meetings held in October 2010, the Committees examined the reports drawn up in response to postulates submitted by Markwalder and David on Switzerland’s policy regarding the EU ( 09.3560 ) and on Switzerland’s relations with EU agencies ( 08.3141 ) respectively. Markwalder called for the Federal Council to assess the advantages and disadvantages of the bilateral agreements, to set out its priorities and measures for future policy regarding the EU and to set out a timetable of objectives. David called for an analysis of Switzerland’s relations with EU agencies, the importance of these relations for our country and the influence that Switzerland can have within these institutions.
As part of their examination of the reports the two Committees interviewed representatives from industry and cantonal administrations. These interviews revealed the need for an in-depth debate on Swiss policy regarding the EU. While the FAC-S decided to continue discussing the issue at a later meeting, the FAC-N took note of the two reports, considering that they provided a pertinent assessment of Switzerland’s policy vis-à-vis the European Union; the National Council followed suit during the 2010 winter session. On 8 November 2010 the FAC-S took up the reports again. At the end of the debate, which covered in particular the adoption of EU legislation into Swiss law and the problem of sovereignty which this would entail, as well as the actual nature of Switzerland’s current cooperation with the EU, the Committee decided to let the Council of States discuss the issue during the 2011 spring session. The Council of States noted the contents of the two reports on 2 March 2011.
Switzerland and the United Nations
Switzerland ’s participation in UN projects as a full member since joining the organisation in 2002 is an important topic for the FACs. The Federal Council has regular contact with parliament on this subject.
Switzerland’s possible application to join the Security Council in the medium term
During 2009 the FACs several times examined the FDFA’s report on the implications of a possible application by Switzerland to join the Security Council in the medium term. During its discussions the FAC-N interviewed the current Secretary of State Peter Maurer, who in 2009 was Switzerland’s permanent representative at the UN. The Committee also interviewed Kofi Annan’s former legal adviser, Mr Nicolas Michel. On 21 June 2010 the FAC-N interviewed Colin Keating, Founding Executive Director of the Security Council Report, and Peter Huber, delegate and Director of the Department of International Organisations within the Austrian Ministry of European and International Affairs. These talks enabled the Committee to gain a more precise understanding of the activities and commitment of the Security Council.
On 2 September 2010 the FAC-S was asked to give its opinion on this issue in the light of Art. 152, para. 3, of the Parliament Act, and voted in favour of Switzerland’s applying to join the Security Council by 10 votes to 1. The majority of the Committee members felt that, since joining the United Nations, Switzerland has been actively involved in the organisation, with which it identifies fully, and that this step should logically be followed by Switzerland’s becoming a member of the Security Council.
On 25 October 2010 the FAC-N then discussed the issue and voted in favour of Switzerland’s applying to join the Security Council in 2022 by 16 votes to 6. The majority of the FAC-N felt that being on the Security Council would give Switzerland an excellent opportunity to expand and reinforce its international network. It would also provide an important platform for exchanging ideas which would enable our country to defend its interests and promote its values at an international level.
Presidency of the 65 th General Assembly of the United Nations. The FACs’ discussions with Joseph Deiss
On 11 June 2010 the former Federal Councillor Joseph Deiss was elected as President of the 65 th General Assembly of the United Nations. The Committees asked Mr Deiss to present in person the priorities and key issues of his presidency. The discussions held with the FACs covered Mr Deiss’ ideas and projects as well as the way in which the former Federal Councillor plans to fulfil his new task. While the FAC-S focused on the ways in which the Federal Assembly could inform the general public about the UN’s activities, the FAC-N discussed how Switzerland could use the General Assembly to put forward certain initiatives and make a worthwhile contribution. Both Committees are delighted that a Swiss person has been chosen for this important international office and welcomed the choice of topics raised by the former Federal Councillor.
Switzerland and international cooperation
Parliament approves funding for development aid in the form of a basic budget to cover several years. Over the past few years, debates in the FACs and the two chambers have focused on the size of this budget, as well as the strategic policy of development cooperation and the type of aid offered.
In connection with the debate on basic budgets ( 08.028 ) Further funding for economic and trading measures as part of development cooperation, and 08.030 Continuation of technical cooperation and financial aid in favour of developing countries, 2008-2011), parliament mandated the Federal Council on 8 December 2008 to draw up a message outlining how Switzerland’s budget for state development aid could be increased to 0.5% of gross national product (GNP) by 2015. The federal chambers reaffirmed this mandate through their referral of the Federal Council’s report on the continuation of development cooperation ( 09.078 ).
10.085 s Increase in funding for state development cooperation
This message is the Federal Council’s response to its mandate from parliament and sets out how the budget for state development aid could be increased to 0.5% of GNP by 2015. It calls for parliament to increase the corresponding budgets for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and SECO for 2011/2012 by CHF 640 million. The additional funds earmarked for bilateral development cooperation are to be used actively for water and climate projects in order to help achieve the millennium development goals. At a multilateral level the additional funds are to be used for liabilities to multilateral development banks.
The FAC-S carried out a preliminary examination of the issue at its meeting on 8 November 2010 and approved both federal decrees as they stand with 10 votes to 1 in each case. On 9 December 2010 the Council of States followed its Committee’s proposal and, as the first council, approved the Federal Council’s draft without any changes.
The FAC-N discussed an increase in public funding for development cooperation on 10 and 11 January 2011. It approved the federal decree regarding the SDC with 14 votes to 10 and 2 abstentions, as well as the federal decree regarding the SECO with 15 votes to 10 with 1 abstention. The National Council followed the lead given by its Committee and approved the federal decree in favour of the SDC by 106 votes to 79 and that concerning SECO by 104 votes to 82.
10.081 s Message on Switzerland’s participation in raising the capital of the multilateral development banks
The Federal Council has proposed to parliament that Switzerland participate in raising the capital of the multilateral development banks with a contribution of CHF 167 million. In the wake of the financial and economic crisis, the multilateral development banks were asked by the international community to increase their lending in order to combat the crisis in developing countries. This commitment required considerable financial means, which caused the development banks to reach their limits with regard to loans. In order to ensure that the banks can continue to fulfil their mandate to reduce poverty in the long term and remain operational they need to raise their capital. The Federal Council has proposed a pledge of CHF 3.5 billion, of which an amount of CHF 167 million would be payable over eight years and included in the Confederation’s budget for state development aid. The remaining amount would be considered as guarantee capital.
The FAC-S addressed the matter at its meeting on 8 November 2010 as part of its discussions on the increase in state development cooperation and voted unanimously in favour of the corresponding federal decree. The Council of States followed the proposal of its Committee on 9 December 2010 and also voted unanimously in favour of the federal decree.
The FAC-N discussed Switzerland’s participation in raising the capital of the development banks on 10 and 11 January 2011 and approved the corresponding federal decree by 18 votes to 8. On 28 February 2011 the National Council followed the recommendation of its Committee and approved the federal decree by 123 votes to 58.
10.076 s Message on the extension and increase of the fourth basic budget for the continuation of cooperation with Eastern Europe and the CIS countries
This message calls for an increase and an extension of Switzerland’s traditional aid to Eastern Europe. The Federal Council proposes that the basic budget of CHF 730 million, approved by parliament in June 2007, be raised by CHF 290 million to ensure the continuation of aid to south-eastern Europe and the countries of the former Soviet Union until the end of 2012. The main aim of Switzerland’s providing aid to Eastern Europe is to support their transition to democratic, pluralistic systems of government and to reinforce economic development.
The FAC-S examined the matter during its debate on development cooperation on 8 November 2010 and gave its unanimous approval. On 9 December the Council of States followed suit and approved the federal decree by 33 votes to 4 in the overall vote.
The FAC-N discussed cooperation with Eastern Europe on 10 and 11 January 2011 and voted in favour of extended and increasing the fourth basic budget by 18 votes to 8. The National Council accepted the proposal put forward by its Committee and on 28 February 2011 approved the federal decree by 110 votes to 76.
09.078 s Continuation of development cooperation. Report
On 8 December 2008, in their discussion of the latest basic budget ( 08.028 , 08.030 ), the federal chambers approved a request from the FAC-S whereby the Federal Council was to submit a message to parliament in 2009 concerning an additional basic budget with the aim of increasing the amount earmarked by the state for development cooperation to 0.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) by the year 2015. Instead of the expected message concerning the budget, the Federal Council drew up a report in which it recognised the aim of raising the proportion of GDP reserved for state development cooperation further, but stated that, in view of the situation with regard to federal finances, it would not propose increasing the budget before 2013. On 11 January 2010 the FAC-S decided to reject the Federal Council’s report with the request that a message be submitted in line with the decisions taken by the two chambers on 8 December 2008. The aim of this move is to ensure that the Federal Council carries out the wishes of parliament and that the chambers can decide on increasing funding for development aid themselves. The Council of States accepted this proposal on 8 March 2010, but the National Council did not follow the recommendation of the majority of the FAC-N and voted against the rejection of the Federal Council’s report on 18 March 2010. During the second quarter of 2010 the FAC-S and the Council of States, which had re-examined this issue, decided to maintain their position and to pass the report back to the government. A solution was found to the impasse during the FAC-S’s meeting on 8 November 2010; during discussions on development cooperation the Committee noted the contents of the report and approved issues 10.085, 10.081 and 10.076 mentioned above. The Council of States and the National Council noted the contents of the report on 9 December 2010 and 28 February 2011 respectively.
In connection with this issue the FACs also examined a petition signed by 200,000 people ( 06.2020 ) calling for a minimum proportion of 0.7% of GDP to be used for development aid from 2015 onwards. In view of its decision to aim for the target of 0.5% of ESD, the FAC-S took note of the petition without further action. The FAC-N followed up the matter and submitted a corresponding postulate ( 07.3002 ) which was rejected by the National Council on 18 March 2010, however. On 8 March 2010 the Council of States decided, on the recommendation of the FAC-S, not to follow up an initiative submitted by the Canton of Bern ( 09.325 ), which also calls for Swiss funding for development cooperation to be increased to 0.7% of GDP as set out by the UN. On 18 May 2010 the FAC-N decided by 14 votes to 8 not to take up this initiative. In its opinion, raising the percentage of GDP to be earmarked for development aid to 0.7 was excessive and did not take into account the state of the federal coffers; moreover, the Federal Assembly had already decided to raise the figure to 0.5% of GDP. On 28 February 2011 the National Council approved its Committee’s proposal and decided by 102 votes to 56 not to endorse the initiative.
Switzerland ’s foreign economic policy
Double-taxation agreement according to OECD norms
Double-taxation agreements (DTAs) are contracts under international law between different countries aimed at avoiding fiscal overlapping and simplifying cross-border economic exchange. Switzerland has signed corresponding agreements with over 100 countries. The DTAs include judicial assistance in fiscal matters and the corresponding exchange of information. In March 2009 the Federal Council decided to extend judicial assistance in fiscal matters and to include Article 26 of the OECD standard agreement. Since then, Switzerland has started negotiations on new DTAs. The revised version of the agreement stipulates that in future Switzerland will provide judicial assistance not only in cases of tax evasion but also in cases of tax avoidance.
As part of the Swiss approval procedure for these agreements, the FAC-S examined the corresponding DTAs (in the case of the National Council the CEAT is responsible). On 17 February 2010 the FAC-S looked at the first series of revised DTAs ( 09.026 France, 09.092 Mexico, 09.093 Denmark, 09.091 UK and 09.094 USA). The Committee decided in favour of adopting the OECD standard regarding the exchange of fiscal information. In its opinion, it is important that the DTAs correspond to the key points set out by the Federal Council in 2009 as guidelines for the negotiations and on which the Committee had been consulted. This includes in particular the exchange of information solely on the types of taxes that are defined in the DTA, the ban on so-called “fishing expeditions” and the non-allowance of repercussions.
The Committee added two further articles to the federal decisions submitted to it. The first demands that the implementation of judicial assistance within Switzerland be set out in a federal law. In its opinion this is necessary to determine what coercive means the federal, cantonal or local authorities are allowed to use in fiscal matters. The second additional article demands that the Federal Council provide the contracting partners with a declaration that Switzerland will not grant judicial assistance if applications are based on illegally obtained data. The FAC-S approved the first five revised DTAs with these additions. Subsequently, the corresponding federal decisions, including the two additional articles, were approved by the Council of States during the 2010 spring session.
On 26 March 2010 the FAC-S examined a second series of agreements ( 10.012 Austria, 10.013 Norway, 10.014 Finland, 10.015 Luxembourg and 10.016 Qatar) and passed them over to the Council of States for their approval. Here too, the two additional articles were adopted. During the 2010 summer session the Councils approved the ten new agreements and asked the Federal Council to introduce a law setting out procedures for administrative cooperation, and to inform the contracting parties that Switzerland would not cooperate in cases where data have been obtained illegally.
Report on foreign economic policy in 2010 (11.008 ns)
During the first quarter of 2011 the FACs addressed the Federal Council’s report on foreign economic policy for 2010. The FAC-N examined the report in detail at its meeting on 31 January and 1 February 2011. It came to the conclusion that the document provided a full account of Switzerland’s foreign economic policy for the previous year, including in particular the challenges that the country had to face in this respect during the economic and financial crisis. Several members of the Committee regretted the fact that there was a certain lack of precision in the analyses and definitions of the problems prevailing.
As for the FAC-S, it noted the contents of the report at its meeting on 17 and 18 February 2011. At the same time, it took the opportunity to interview various representatives of OSEC (Business Network Switzerland), economiesuisse (Swiss Business Federation) and AllianceSud (Swiss Alliance of Development Organisations). The interviews and the subsequent discussion enabled the Committee to assess Switzerland’s free-exchange policy and the international financial system and, in particular, Switzerland’s seat within the IMF and the new balance of power that has arisen with the reform of this institution. The FAC-S also paid particular attention to the modification of the bilateral agreements concerning double-taxation in line with Art. 26 of the OECD Agreement Model. Like its sister Committee, the FAC-S was of the opinion that the report gave a full picture of Switzerland’s foreign economic policy during 2010. The Council of States and the National Council noted the contents of the report on 2 and 8 March 2011 respectively.
09.039 IMF. Extraordinary contribution, with time limit, to increase resources.
In 2009 the FACs were much concerned with the stability of the world financial and monetary system following the economic crisis, as well as with Switzerland’s role in this respect. Their deliberations included the possibility of granting an additional general budget of CHF 12.5 billion in the form of guarantees with a view to making an extraordinary contribution, with a time limit, to boost the resources of the International Monetary Fund. Judging that the IMF needed additional funding to deal with the consequences of the world economic and financial crisis and to support member countries that had specific needs for preventing and mastering crises, the Federal Council recommended the approval of the general budget.
The FAC-S decided to follow up this issue, arguing that it was in Switzerland’s interest to be part of the international effort to stem the financial crisis and to play a major role in relation to the IMF. On 27 May 2009 the Council of States complied with the decision of the FAC-S and accepted the federal decree relating to the contribution to the IMF by 28 votes to 5 with 4 abstentions.
As for the FAC-N, it decided on two occasions, namely 24 August and 23 November 2009, to postpone its examination of the issue in order to deal with it at the same time as the message that parliament had requested from the Federal Council concerning an additional basic budget aimed at raising Switzerland’s proportion of funding for development aid to 0.5% of GDP by 2015. This decision was based on its wish to examine, jointly and coherently, Switzerland’s financial contribution to the IMF and various other contributions linked to development aid.
Progress was made at the meeting on 10 and 11 January 2011; the FAC-N having agreed to increase funding for development aid, the Committee also approved by 14 votes to 11 the federal decree concerning a contribution to the IMF. In the opinion of the majority of the Committee members, approval of this decree was justified in view of the need to stabilise the monetary system and to help those countries facing financial problems, which was in Switzerland’s direct interest. A minority of the members proposed that the electorate be invited to vote on the budget, which was then rejected. On 1 March 2011 the National Council followed its Committee’s proposal and approved the federal decree by 93 votes to 68.
10.079 IMF: Adherence to the modified new arrangements to borrow
The modified new arrangements to borrow (NAB) constitute the IMF’s financial safety net for crises that pose a threat to the international monetary and financial system. The Federal Council proposed that Switzerland adhere to the modified NAB in order to enable it to continue to participate in the current arrangements to borrow (NAB-1998).
At its meeting on 20 and 21 October 2010, the FAC-S voted unanimously in favour of Switzerland’s adherence to the modified NAB since it was of the opinion that the Swiss economy can take advantage of international tools aimed at stabilising the international monetary and financial system. On 13 December 2010 the Council of States followed the decision taken by its Committee and approved the federal decree by 27 votes to 3 with 3 abstentions. During its meeting on 10 and 11 January 2011, the FAC-N also gave its approval, by 14 votes to 9 with 1 abstention. On 1 March 2011 the National Council followed the recommendation of the FAC-N and approved the federal decree by 94 votes to 68.
10.080 IMF: Granting of a guarantee for a loan to the Fiduciary Fund
At its meeting in October 2010 the FAC-S also unanimously approved a guarantee credit of CHF 950 million as a guarantee to the Swiss National Bank (SNB) in relation to a loan to the IMF’s Fiduciary Fund for Reducing Poverty and for Growth (FFRPG). The Committee felt that this contribution would constitute a wise and necessary commitment to the poorer countries and that it would allow Switzerland to show that it is willing to accept its responsibilities and participate in IMF initiatives, especially in view of the discussions surrounding Switzerland’s permanent seat on the IMF’s Administrative Board.
On 13 December 2010 the Council of States followed its Committee and approved the federal decree on granting a guarantee to the SNB in connection with a loan to the FFRPG by 30 votes in favour and 3 abstentions. At its meeting on 10 and 11 January 2011 the FAC-N also gave its approval by 14 votes to 9.
Relations with foreign countries, the international situation and diplomacy
Application for judicial assistance from the US Internal Revenue Service concerning UBS AG. Agreement with the USA
On 19 August 2009 the Federal Council signed an agreement on judicial assistance with the USA concerning the UBS. Under the terms of this agreement Switzerland undertakes to provide judicial assistance within 370 days in some 4,450 cases of tax evasion and serious tax avoidance. In the opinion of the Federal Council, this agreement averted a conflict of law and sovereignty between Switzerland and the USA that could have had serious consequences for the UBS and for the whole Swiss financial hub. On 21 January 2010 the Federal Administrative Court granted an appeal and decided that judicial assistance would not be given in cases of serious tax avoidance based on the agreement of 19 August 2009. In order to ensure that Switzerland met its obligations within the time stipulated, the Federal Council then decided to formally modify the agreement and to put it before parliament for its approval. The Federal Council had already consulted the relevant Committees on the provisional application of the modified agreement. The FAC-S expressed its disapproval on 17 March 2010. In its opinion, there is at present no guarantee of legal security for those directly concerned nor of transparency vis-à-vis parliament. On 27 May 2010 the FAC-S examined the federal order approving the agreement with the United States as well as the Federal Council’s message on the subject. The Committee unanimously agreed to take up the issue. Subsequently it rejected, by 8 votes to 3, a proposal that the federal order include modifications to legislation concerning the problem of excessive remuneration. It also rejected, this time by 8 votes to 5, a proposal aimed at making the agreement non-retroactive. Another proposal calling for the agreement to be subject to an optional referendum was rejected by 8 votes to 5. Finally, the Federal Council’s version was approved in a vote on the whole package by 9 votes to 4. During the 2010 summer session the Council of States fell into line with the position held by the majority of the FAC-S. During the debates in the Councils, which were extremely lively, the FAC-S and the Council of States maintained their position throughout the procedure for ironing out differences. As a result, the Federal Council’s proposal was carried with the support of the majority of the FAC-S and the Council of States.
The Council of Europe’s report on Kosovo. Interview with Dick Marty, member of the Council of States
At its meeting on 31 January and 1 February 2011, the FAC-N interviewed Dick Marty, a member of the Council of States and reporter of the Committee on legal affairs of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly. The topic covered was the report issued by the latter on abusive treatment of people and illegal trafficking of human organs in Kosovo. It was the general opinion that an independent enquiry needs to be set up to examine the alleged crimes described in the report. The FAC-N voted unanimously in favour of a proposed Committee motion calling for the Federal Council to do everything in its power to ensure that an international committee is set up to look into the matter, echoing the request put to the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly in Resolution 1782.
The report was also examined by the FAC-S on 17 and 18 February 2011. The Committee took this opportunity to congratulate Mr Marty on his determination to uncover all the details of Kosovo’s past. The Committee was also unanimously in favour of calling for the Federal Council to do its utmost vis-à-vis the European Union and within the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to uncover the full truth about the alleged breaches of human rights in Kosovo.
The FACs’ international contacts
One of the responsibilities of the Federal Assembly is to ensure that relations are maintained with parliaments of other countries and that the Swiss parliament participates in international parliamentary organisations. Accordingly, the FACs organise a fact-finding mission to another country each year. The aim of these visits is not only to maintain and strengthen relations with other parliaments but also to enable the members of the FACs to acquire in-depth knowledge of the political, social and economic situation of the countries they visit, to gain an insight of those countries into the international and regional image, and to find out about Switzerland’s activities in those countries (for example development cooperation) .
In May 2010 a delegation from the FAC-N made a 5-day visit to Egypt aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between our two countries and promoting intercultural exchange with the Arab world ( see press release ). The 2011 annual fact-finding mission of the National Council Committee will take the form of a visit by a delegation to the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom from 16 to 20 May. The main aims of this trip will be to identify Swiss interests and activities in the UK and Ireland and to help foster good relations between Switzerland and these two countries, as well as to discuss topics of mutual interest such as relations with the European Union and the consequences of the world economic and financial crisis. This will be the first visit by an FAC delegation to the UK since 2001 and the first ever visit of a parliamentary delegation to the Republic of Ireland.
As for the FAC-S, the Committee’s annual fact-finding trip, from 9 to 16 October 2010, focused on Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. These two countries are members of the voting group led by Switzerland within the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and the purpose of this visit was to strengthen collaboration between the three countries within this group ( see press release ).
With the intention of learning about the political and economic situation of Switzerland’s partners in the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank (the Bretton Woods institutions), a delegation from the FAC-S, comprising Messrs David, Gutzwiller and Reimann, visited another member of Switzerland’s voting group in the Bretton Woods institutions, namely Kazakhstan, at the beginning of February. In Astana the delegation had discussions with several members of the Kazakh government and parliament; in Almaty, the country’s economic hub, the delegation met the leaders of the Kazakh National Bank and discussed collaboration between Switzerland and Kazakhstan within the context of the IMF and the World Bank (see press release).
Meeting with the High Commissioner for Human Rights
On 16 August 2010 the FAC-N visited the High Commission for Human Rights and was received by the High Commissioner, Mrs Navanethem Pillay, and the President of the Council of Human Rights, His Excellency Sihasak Phuangketkeow. During their meeting with the High Commissioner, the members of the FAC-N asked about the organisation’s activities, challenges and priorities as well as how the Council for Human Rights functions.
Talks with representatives of international organisations concerning the role played by Geneva in hosting such organisations
The FAC held its meeting of 7/8 April 2011 in Geneva and used this opportunity to discuss the city’s role as host to various international organisations by holding talks with representatives of the Geneva government and various organisations whose main offices are in the city: Michèle Künzler, member of the Council of States for the canton of Geneva, Christine Beerli, Vice-President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Victor Do Prado, Deputy Chief of the World Trade Organisation’s Director General’s Office, and Christoph Benn, Head of Public Relations at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
During these talks the Committee learnt about the aims and projects of the canton of Geneva with regard to its host role as well as the challenges the city is facing in this connection. Discussions also covered the priorities and activities of the various international organisations represented at the meeting. The FAC-S assured the cantonal representatives of its full support since Geneva plays an important role in Switzerland’s foreign policy strategy.