site.bta Switzerland's National Council President, Parliament Chair Discuss Bilateral Contacts

Switzerland's National Council President, Parliament Chair Discuss Bilateral Contacts

Sofia, July 4 (BTA) -  The intensive development of bilateral contacts in the recent month and the poromotion of trade and economic relations topped the agenda of a meeting between National Assembly Chairperson Tsetska Tscheva and Switzerland's National Council President Christa Markwalder, the National Assembly's press centre said on Monday.

Markwalder is on a visit to Bulgaria until July 6 at Tsacheva's invitation.

"We highly appreciate the activation of ties between Bulgaria and Swizterland during the past months," Tsacheva said at the meeting. The two interlocutors were unanimous that bilateral relations develop highly intensively in the different sectoral policies both at parliamentary and government level. Tsacheva noted that Markwalder's visit coincides with the 100th anniversary of the launching of dipliomatic relations between the two countries.

Tsacheva thanked Swizterland for the financial support provided. On her part, the guest said that the Swiss side has been implementing successfully different projects in Bulgaria. She voiced hope that the fulfillment of projects within the Bulgarian-Swiss programme will continue in the future.

Tsacheva and Markwalder praised the performance of the Bulgarian-Swiss Chamber of Commerce. Tsacheva thanked for the decision to open the Swiss labour market for Bulgarian nationals as of June 1, 2016.

The National Assembly Chair familiarized the guest with the measures in the area of judicial reform, which are a starting point for achieving even better results in the fight against corruption and organized crime.

Bulgaria is consistent in its support for a consistent European policy regarding migration, said Tsacheva. Being an external border of the EU, Bulgaria is aware of the responsibility, related to the security of the European citizens, she added.

Meeting with Markwalder, President Rosen Plevneliev said that Europe's fragmentation is not in the interest of EU countries and their citizens. Plevneliev said that extreme populist and nationalist ideas shouldn't be allowed to gain ground.

The Bulgarian head of state thanked Switzerland for its support for Bulgaria's accession to Schengen and urged for shared responsibility and common actions in order to tackle more intensified migratory pressure. He reiterated that the EU should make a difference between people who flee from military conflicts and economic refugees.

Bulgaria hopes that an agreement on institutional issues between the EU and Switzerland will provide a general framework for all aspects of relations. At the same time Plevneliev underscored the significance of the agreement for the free movement of people, which embodies one of the EU's fundamental principles and provides the foundation of EU's internal market.

Attracting new Swiss investments and boosting commercial exchange are priorities for Bulgaria, said Plevneliev.In the past 20 years Swiss investments have exceeded 1.7 billion euro, placing the country third.

Markwalder reconfirmed Switzerland's desire to advance commercial relations with Bulgaria. She commended Bulgaria's policy of fiscal discipline, adding that this contributes to sustaining the investment environment and enhances Bulgaria's competitiveness. Markwalder noted cooperation between Bulgarian and Swiss institutions in the area of  home affairs and fight against corruption, which is of particular importance to Switzerland.

President Plevneliev thanked Switzerland for the expertise it provided to Bulgaria in introducing dual education.

Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and Swiss National Council President Markwalder discussed ways to advance commercial and economic cooperation and attract new investments. Borissov said that he was familiar with the interest of Swiss small and mid-sized businesses in the implementation of projects in the field of transport, industry, services and environment. He highlighted the enormous potential of the Bulgarian tourist industry.

Borissov noted that the Bulgarian-Swiss Cooperation Programme with a budget of 76 million Swiss francs as part of EU's cohesions policy has contributed greatly to addressing social and economic disparities between Bulgaria and the remaining EU countries.