Undersecretary Ivan Scalfarotto met in Bern with Secretary of State for Economic Affairs and Trade Marie Gabrielle Ineichen Fleisch and Secretary of State and Director for European Affairs of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Roberto Balzaretti.
Several issues related to the bilateral relationship between Italy and Switzerland were discussed, in particular the protection of frontier workers, trade and investment issues and shared infrastructure development projects, in particular railways. At the same time, the meeting allowed to deepen the respective positions on issues such as the WTO stalemate, the prospects of the Italian G20 Presidency and the central point of the negotiations between Switzerland and the EU for a new Framework Agreement.
“My presence in Bern on the first visit abroad following Covid emergency testifies to the importance the government attaches to our bilateral relations. We have worked very intensively with our Swiss colleagues in recent months to ensure the reopening of border crossings and the protection of the health of border workers. Switzerland represents a neighbour and friend with whom we have many common interests and with whom we share many positions on international issues. A strengthening of our partnership in the economic and political field is certainly an objective to work towards in the coming months, in the interests of both countries,” Mr Scalfarotto stated.
