35th EU-Switzerland Inter-parliamentary Meeting Strasbourg, 23 and 24 November 2016

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

by the Chairpersons of the Delegations: Thomas Aeschi (National Council, Switzerland) and Jørn Dohrmann (European Parliament)

The delegations responsible for EU-Switzerland relations from the Swiss Federal Assembly and the European Parliament met in Strasbourg on 23 and 24 November. Talks at the 35th inter-parliamentary annual meeting focused on the institutional framework for EU-Switzer- land relations, the free movement of persons, migration (Schengen/Dublin) and cross-border cooperation for combating terrorism. Delegations further exchanged views about the benefits of free trade agreements.

Under the co-chairmanship of National Council member Thomas Aeschi (SVP/ZG) and MEP Jørn Dohrmann (ECR, Denmark), the members of the two delegations discussed the state of bilateral relations and of the ongoing talks concerning institutional issues in connection with the bilateral agreements with Mr Claude Maerten, Head of the Western Europe Division of the European External Action Service, and Ambassador Urs Bucher, Head of the Swiss Mission to the EU in Brussels. The chairs of the two delegations, National Council member Thomas Aeschi and MEP Jørn Dohrmann, agreed that the bilateral path remains the best instrument for maintaining well-functioning relations between Switzer- land and the EU, traditionally based on close partnership. It was in this context that the ongoing deliberations regarding implementation of the mass immigration initiative were addressed. A further topic of discussion during the inter-parliamentary meeting was the high number of irregular entries into the Schengen area. Representatives from both delegations spoke in favour of better enforcing Schengen’s external border control with the aim of increasing security within the Schengen area so as to be able to continue to safeguard the freedom of movement. In this context, the European Commission’s proposal to set up a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and the use of new technologies at the Schengen border were also discussed. Overall, securing the Schengen border was a high priority according to both delegations. In terms of fighting terrorism in Europe more effectively, representatives from both delegations favoured better checks along the Schengen border, together with measures to prevent radicalisation and improve international cooperation, particularly the exchange of information. Members of the Federal Assembly Delegation in attendance:

Thomas AESCHI Swiss People’s Party (Chair) Konrad GRABER Christian Democratic Party Eric NUSSBAUMER Social Democratic Party Hans-Peter PORTMANN FDP.The Liberals Kathy RIKLIN Christian Democratic Party Jean-François RIME Swiss People’s Party

Roland Rino BÜCHEL Swiss People’s Party (President of the National Council Foreign Affairs Committee)

Members of the European Parliament Delegation in attendance:

Jørn DOHRMANN ECR, Denmark (Chair) Anna HEDH S&D, Sweden (Vice-chair) Mercedes BRESSO S&D, Italy Jill EVANS The Greens/EFA Norbert LINS EPP, Germany Angelika MILNAR ALDE, Austria Julia PITERA EPP, Poland Paul RUBIG EPP, Austria Andreas SCHWAB EPP, Germany Catherine STIHLER S&D, UK

Danuta JAZŁOWIECKA EPP, Poland (Rapporteur)

*** Abbreviations ALDE Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe ECR European Conservatives and Reformists EVP European People’s Party Christian-Democratic Group S&D Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats The Greens/EFA The Greens/European Free Alliance

Inter-parliamentary relations: 35th anniversary The members of the delegations from the Federal Assembly and the European Parliament responsible for Swiss-EU relations have been meeting since 1981 to discuss topical events in Europe and in Switzerland. These meetings which take place alternately in Switzerland and the EU provide an opportunity to exchange views and information and thus foster mutual understanding between the two partners.

Strasbourg, 24 November 2016

Further information:

European Parliament’s Delegation Secretary: Amelia Padurariu, +32 228 32175 Swiss Delegation Secretary: Cédric Stucky, +41 58 322 97 23 / +41 79 742 67 00