Today, the Head of the new Austrian government, Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann, travelled to Bern, where he was received with military honours at the Lohn estate by the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Mr Didier Burkhalter. Together with the Head of the Federal Department of Finance (FDF), Ms Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, Mr Burkhalter seized the opportunity to discuss the two countries' excellent bilateral relations. Besides intensive trade relations, Switzerland and Austria cooperate closely in many areas, such as consular and Schengen-related matters. For example, the two countries currently issue Schengen visas for the other country at eleven locations.
Other topics of discussion included Switzerland's policy on Europe and fiscal matters. The two sides discussed as well their positive experience with the bilateral withholding tax agreement that came into force one year ago. In 2013, Switzerland transferred EUR 717 million to Austria as part of the regularisation of assets.
The two sides also exchanged views on cooperation during Austria's Chairmanship of the Council of Europe until May 2014 and Switzerland's Chairmanship of the OSCE in 2014. Mr Burkhalter and Mr Faymann talked about Switzerland's efforts to strengthen the OSCE and to involve young people, as well as regional cooperation in the Western Balkans.
They spoke about the current situation in Syria and the international conference on Syria which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday in Montreux. Mr Burkhalter and Mr Faymann discussed the goals of the conference. The main objectives, besides ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law, are to improve the situation of the victims of the conflict, to ensure humanitarian access, and to put a stop to the violence.
Swiss and Austrian heads of state and heads of government customarily make their first trip abroad to the neighbouring country. Accordingly, last Friday President Burkhalter paid an official visit to Austrian Federal President Heinz Fischer, during which he also met with Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Finance Michael Spindelegger and Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz.
Further information:
Bilateral relations between Switzerland and Austria
Switzerland chairs the OSCE in 2014
Press release: Switzerland and Austria confirm close relationship of trust between the two neighbouring states
Address for enquiries:
Information FDFA
Bundeshaus West
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.: +41 58 462 31 53
Fax: +41 58 464 90 47
E-Mail: info@eda.admin.ch
Publisher:
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Federal Department of Finance
