21.12.2017

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has met with Aurelia Frick, the foreign minister of the Principality of Liechtenstein, in Bern. The discussion between the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA and his Liechtenstein counterpart underscored the high quality of bilateral relations between the two states. The meeting covered bilateral topics including current European policy issues and international challenges.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis poses for the picture with Liechtenstein's Foreign Minister Aurelia Frick.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets Liechtenstein's Foreign Minister Aurelia Frick for bilateral talks in Berne. © FDFA

Over 100 treaties regulate bilateral relations between Switzerland and Liechtenstein; numerous meetings take place between representatives of the two states at all political levels. Some 10,000 people from Switzerland go to work in Liechtenstein every day. Nearly 1,800 Liechtenstein cross-border commuters travel in the other direction to work in Switzerland. Today's talks between Ignazio Cassis and Aurelia Frick at the Von Wattenwyl House once again confirmed the high quality of relations between the two states. Mr Cassis said the fact that he had already spoken with his Liechtenstein counterpart three times since elected to the Federal Council – on the phone shortly after his election, during the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Vienna and now today in Bern – showed the importance accorded to Switzerland's closes neighbour.

The meeting focused on the development of relations between Switzerland, respectively Liechtenstein and the EU, especially in light of the current challenges. Topics covered thus included the situation following the UK's decision to leave the EU.

Also mentioned was the EU's reported monitoring of the adaptation of Switzerland and Liechtenstein's tax regulations to international standards. Mr Cassis and Ms Frick were in agreement that this was inappropriate with regard to either state, since Switzerland and Lichtenstein had already stated their willingness to abolish tax regimes that do not comply with the international standards.

International topics were also covered in today's meeting. The two foreign ministers spoke in particular about the work under way in the UN, where cooperation between the two states is particularly strong. Switzerland and Liechtenstein are working towards the same goals in the UN, especially on human rights, international responsibilities and international jurisdiction. Last week the International Criminal Court's jurisdiction over the crime of aggression was activated thanks to efforts by Switzerland and Liechtenstein.


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Bilateral relations Switzerland-Liechtenstein


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