Official visit of the Croatian President Ivo Josipović

Bern, 19.6.2014 – For the first time in its history, Switzerland welcomes a Croatian president on an official visit. The discussions between President Ivo Josipović and the President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, are aimed at strengthening bilateral relations with Croatia, the newest member of the European Union.

President Ivo Josipović is in Switzerland on an official visit. His meeting with the President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, is aimed at strengthening Switzerland's bilateral relations with the newest member of the European Union (EU).

The talks between the two heads of state will centre mainly on European policy issues, including Swiss-EU relations and the consequences of the Swiss people's adoption of the popular initiative "Stop mass immigration" on 9 February 2014. In this regard, the decision taken by the Federal Council on 30 April 2014 concerning the admission of quotas of Croatian nationals to the Swiss job market will also be on the agenda.

The two presidents will further discuss the political situation in the Western Balkans, each of them presenting their point of view and their priorities in this regard. Moreover, Mr Burkhalter will present the engagement of the Swiss Chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), in particular with regard to Ukraine.

Closening of relations

Relations between Switzerland and Croatia have moved forward significantly and the two countries have become closer over the past months. The visit by Mr Josipović is the first official visit to Switzerland by a Croatian president.

The last meeting at presidential level between Switzerland and Croatia took place on 14 November 2011, when the President of the Swiss Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, was invited to Zagreb to meet Mr Josipović. Mr Burkhalter recently met his Croatian counterpart during the Munich Security Conference on 14 February 2014.

Quotas

On 30 April 2014 the Federal Council announced that citizens of Croatia will be afforded the same treatment as nationals of other EU member states. The Federal Council will therefore benefit from the same quotas as would have been the case if Protocol III to the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons had been signed. This measure will enter into force on 1 July 2014 and will remain applicable until a solution is found regarding the free movement of persons between Switzerland and the EU, or until 9 February 2017 at the latest.

On 30 April 2014 the Federal Council also confirmed the payment of CHF 45 million to Croatia within the framework of its enlargement contribution. Parliament has yet to approve the framework credit required for the payment to go ahead.