Camera de Comert Elvetia - Romania / Chamber of Commerce Switzerland - Romania

The programme of this visit will include a working meeting at Lohn Residence with Mrs Calmy-Rey, Mrs Doris Leuthard, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs and Mr. Christoph Blocher, head of the Department of Justice and Police. The agenda will include discussions on bilateral relations between Switzerland and Romania, European cooperation and other issues of regional and international politics.

These talks will be followed by an official lunch given by the Federal Council in honour of the Romanian President Mr. Traian Basescu.

A meeting between the appointed President of the National Council Mr. André Bugnon and with the President of the Council of States Foreign Affairs Committee Mr. Philippe Stähelin is also planned. At the end of the day, President Basescu will have an opportunity to talk to representatives of leading Swiss associations.

Bilateral relations between Switzerland and Romania are very good and are marked by dynamic exchanges in the political, cultural and economic spheres. Romania is Switzerland's main trade partner in South East Europe. The volume of trade is increasing, but there is still potential for further growth. In 2006, Swiss exports to Romania increased by 38% reaching 820 million CHF, while Romanian imports fell to 210 million CHF. However, they show a 26% increase in the ten first months of 2007.

Even though it is not itself a member of the European Union, Switzerland welcomes the fact that Romania has joined the EU after making impressive reform efforts. It is in the light of these efforts that Romania was a priority country for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and for SECO until 2007. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, CHF 190 million has been invested in Romania, mainly for reform of the health sector, support for the private sector and improvement of infrastructure and the environment.

The quality of bilateral relations is reflected in the many contacts at different levels. In September 2006, President of the Confederation Mr. Leuenberger paid an official visit to Romania and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mrs Calmy-Rey visited the country in June 2006.

Source:

Press and Information Service
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CH-3003 Berne
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Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

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