During their talks, the president and his Slovakian partners discussed the state of and outlook for relations between Switzerland and the European Union and Slovakia’s aims during its presidency of the EU Council in the second half of the year. They also considered the timeframe defined in the new provisions on immigration in the Federal Constitution. The Slovakian partners gave an assurance that under the EU Council presidency they would act as a mediator in seeking a solution in the interests of both parties. Also present at the talks was State Secretary Jacques de Watteville, Switzerland’s chief negotiator for relations with the European Union.

Strong bilateral relations
Both sides acknowledged and commended the bilateral relations between Switzerland and Slovakia, which have deepened in recent years as a result of cooperation in connection with Switzerland’s contribution to EU enlargement. The volume of trade between the two countries has almost trebled since 2000.

Other topics covered during the talks included cooperation between Switzerland and Slovakia in international organisations, the security situation in Europe, particularly regarding the Ukraine crisis, and the migration situation.

Digitisation and robotics
The president was accompanied on his visit by an economic delegation. The Business and Innovation Forum Slovakia-Switzerland, at which the two presidents spoke, is held every two years. This year’s edition was dedicated to the themes of digitisation and robotics.

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Publisher:

Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research