Mr Burkhalter received the Romanian foreign minister Titus Corlățean on 7 November 2013 for a working dinner at the Von-Wattenwyl-Haus in Bern. One topic of discussion concerned cooperation in the field of policing. The head of the FDFA expressed his satisfaction to the Romanian foreign minister with the collaborative efforts to fight crime and human trafficking, acknowledging in particular the work of the Romanian police attaché in Bern. Criminality continues nonetheless to be a major challenge according to Federal Councillor Burkhalter. As part of the enlargement contribution for Romania, Switzerland carries out projects which include combating human trafficking and providing assistance to the victims.
Mr Burkhalter spoke positively about the enlargement contribution for Romania which will continue until 2019. Some CHF 180 million has been earmarked for the programme which is developing in a satisfactory manner, and cooperation with Romania is excellent. Federal Councillor Burkhalter also talked to his counterpart about Switzerland's chairmanship of the OSCE in 2014 and its goals which include fostering peace, stability and cooperation in the Balkans, and defusing existing conflicts in the South Caucasus. Switzerland's policy on the EU, regional policy in Eastern Europe, the Syrian crisis, and diplomatic and economic relations between Romania and Switzerland were also discussed.
A meeting with President of the Council of States Filippo Lombardi was tabled for the afternoon.
Further information:
Bilateral relations between Switzerland and Romania
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
