Bern, Press releases, 17.09.2010

The Lisbon Treaty entered into force on 1 December 2009. Which changes does this treaty entail for the EU? And what are its effects on Switzerland? These questions were at the heart of this year's International Law Day held by the Directorate of International Law of the FDFA. At the event, experts in European law and representatives from the Swiss federal administration and political sphere provided answers to these questions. In her closing speech, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey talked about Switzerland's EU policy against the backdrop of the Lisbon Treaty.

The Lisbon Treaty opened up a new chapter in the European Union. The Treaty provided the EU with a new legal basis and tools for further economic and political integration and to tackle future challenges. This development in the EU also has an impact on Switzerland, which is therefore closely monitoring the situation.  

The International Law Day, held on 17 September in Bern Town Hall, was attended by Michael Reiterer, Ambassador of the European Union to Switzerland, Christa Markwalder, National Councillor and President of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Alain Berset, Member of the Council of States, Thomas Pfisterer, former Federal Supreme Court Judge and former Member of the Council of States, Henri Gétaz, Head of the Integration Office FDFA/FDEA (IO) and other renowned experts. Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey held the closing speech. With around 270 people taking part, the level of interest in the International Law Day was exceptionally high this year.  

In his speech, Professor Jean-Paul Jacqué, former Director-General of the Legal Service of the Council of the European Union explained the changes ushered in by the Lisbon Treaty, the most important of which are probably the strengthening of the European Parliament (EP) by extending its powers and the shift from the principle of unanimity to qualified majority voting in the European Council. Christine Kaddous, Professor of European Law at the University of Geneva talked about new developments in the area of EU foreign policy, which are also highly significant for Switzerland. For instance, Switzerland now has two new contacts in Brussels: the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, and Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.  

At the end, Professor Roland Bieber explained how the EU has become increasingly democratic by means of the various integration steps it has taken. The Lisbon Treaty has also brought about clear progress in this area. The main focal points are the strengthening of the European Parliament, and enabling citizens to have a greater say in politics by establishing the European citizen's initiative. In a panel discussion, Ambassador Michael Reiterer, National Councillor Christa Markwalder and Henri Gétaz went into greater depth about the changes that the Lisbon Treaty has achieved and their effects on Switzerland. In a second panel discussion, Alain Berset, Thomas Pfisterer and Professor Andreas Auer from the University of Zurich talked about aspects of democracy and federalism in the EU.  

In her closing speech, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey talked about the effects of the Lisbon Treaty on Switzerland. Alongside the key strengthening of stability in Europe, she also mentioned new challenges that have arisen for Switzerland as a result of the Treaty, for instance the great efforts that a non-member country has to undertake in order to be heard in Brussels. The Federal Councillor also made it clear that Switzerland's path must not lead the country into de-facto membership of the EU with no right of co-determination.  

Each autumn, the Directorate of Public International Law of the FDFA holds an event on a current legal topic. This year's event was organized in collaboration with the Integration Office FDFA/FDEA, the Swiss Association of European Law (ASDE) and the Swiss Association of International Law (SVIR). 


Further information:

Speech by the Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey (de/fr)


Address for enquiries:

Information FDFA
Bundeshaus West
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.: (+41) 031 322 31 53
Fax: (+41) 031 324 90 47
E-Mail: info@eda.admin.ch


Publisher:

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research

Last update 19.07.2023

  • FDFA Communication answers media queries Mondays to Fridays during office hours and operates a weekend emergency on-call service.

Contact

FDFA Communication

Federal Palace West
3003 Bern

Phone (for journalists only):
+41 58 460 55 55

Phone (for all other requests):
+41 58 462 31 53

Start of page