34th EU- Interparliamentary meeting Zurich, 12 June 2015 Joint press release by the Chairpersons of the Delegations: Ms Kathy Riklin (National Council, Switzerland) and Mr Jørn Dohrmann ()

The delegations responsible for EU-Switzerland relations from the Swiss Federal Assembly and the European Parliament met today for talks in Zurich. The interparliamentary meeting, chaired by Ms Kathy RIKLIN (CVP/ZH) and Mr Jørn DOHRMANN (ECR, Denmark) reviewed recent developments in bilateral relations between Switzerland and the EU.

On 12 June 2015, members of the EFTA/ EU delegation met in Zurich with members of the European Parliament's Delegation responsible for relations with Switzerland (SINEEA Delegation). The members of the two delegations discussed bilateral relations with the Head of the Western Europe Division at the European External Action Service, Mr Gianluca GRIPPA, and the Deputy Head of the Swiss Mission to the EU in Brussels, Mr Josef Philipp RENGGLI. The heads of both delegations, National Councillor Kathy RIKLIN and MEP Jørn DOHRMANN, stressed the common interest of Switzerland and the EU in upholding the existing bilateral agreements and in continuing talks, in particular on a future institutional framework, in parallel with the discussions on free movement of persons. Special attention was also given to the importance of continuing efforts towards achieving the full implementation of the internal market, including the need to take account of the accession of Croatia to the EU. Migration issues in the context of Schengen/Dublin were also raised. In addition, members of both delegations discussed the progress achieved in the ongoing negotiations for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Agreement between the EU and the US. They further noted that the conclusion of the TTIP creates the prospect of a broad economic space, which could be widened to include third countries with high and similar levels of ambition once bilateral negotiations are concluded. Switzerland remains a close trade and economic partner of the EU.

For further information please contact: Amelia Padurariu, EP secretariat, +32 228 32175 amelia.padurariu(at)ep.europa.eu Members of the Federal Assembly Delegation in attendance:

Kathy RIKLIN Christian (President) Thomas AESCHI Swiss People's Party (Vice-President) Ignazio CASSIS FDP The Liberals Hannes GERMANN Swiss People's Party Eric NUSSBAUMER Social Democratic Party

Swiss People's Party (Vice-President Foreign Affairs Roland Rino BÜCHEL Committee)

Members of the European Parliament Delegation in attendance:

Jørn DOHRMANN ECR, Denmark (Chair) Mercedes BRESSO S&D, Norbert LINS EPP, Germany Angelika MILNAR ALDE, Austria Paul RÜBIG EPP, Austria Catherine STIHLER S&D, United Kingdom

Anne SANDER EPP, France (rapporteur) Danuta JAZŁOWIECKA EPP, Poland (rapporteur)

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Abbreviations ALDE Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe ECR European Conservatives and Reformists EPP European People’s Party Christian-Democratic Group S&D Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats

For further information please contact: Amelia Padurariu, EP secretariat, +32 228 32175 amelia.padurariu(at)ep.europa.eu