Pascal Couchepin, Hans-Rudolf Merz and Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf meet President Barroso in Brussels
Bern, 12.12.2008 - The President of the Swiss Confederation, Pascal Couchepin, is to meet the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, on Monday in Brussels. Mr Couchepin will be accompanied by Mr Hans-Rudolf Merz, Head of the Federal Department of Finance, and Mrs Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, Head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police.
During his stay in Belgium, the Swiss President will also hold talks with the Belgian Prime Minister, Yves Leterme.
Switzerland and the European Union will be exchanging views regarding the implementation of the agreements between Bern and Brussels. Discussions will focus on the latest developments following the coming into force of the Schengen/Dublin Agreements and the situation regarding the free movement of persons. Fiscal issues – taxation of savings, the fight against fraud, company taxation – are also on the agenda. Finally, international issues such as the global financial crisis will be discussed.
The meeting between Pascal Couchepin and José Manuel Barroso is the fourth top-level meeting between Switzerland and the European Union this year. The Swiss President with a delegation from the Federal Council met Mr Barroso on 6 June in Bern, the day before the opening of EURO 2008. On 28 November François Fillon, the Prime Minister of France, which currently holds the presidency of the European Union, made an official visit to Switzerland. During the first half of the year, Pascal Couchepin also met Danilo Turk, the President of Slovenia, which then held the EU presidency.
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