Visit by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter to Dublin
Bern, 21.02.2013 - On Friday 22nd February 2013, Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, will meet the Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore for a working visit in Dublin. The talks will focus on EU policy and on the chairmanship-in-office of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which Switzerland will assume in 2014. Ireland holds the presidency of the EU in the first half of 2013.
The two foreign ministers will exchange views about Switzerland's EU policy during the meeting. Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will inform Eamon Gilmore about Switzerland's discussions with the EU Commission and with the European External Action Service about the solution of institutional matters. In June 2012, Switzerland submitted specific proposals regarding the uniformity and the application of provisions, legal development, monitoring and dispute resolution. The possible extension of the Agreement on the free movement of persons to Croatia will also be on the agenda in Dublin.
Mr Burkhalter and his Irish interlocutors will also discuss the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Ireland held the chairmanship-in-office of the OSCE last year and Switzerland will assume this office in 2014. Switzerland's priorities within the OSCE include political and institutional strengthening of the organisation to prepare it for future challenges („Helsinki+40“).
Further Information
Jean-Marc Crevoisier
Head of Information FDFA
+41 (0)79 763 84 10
Address for enquiries
FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA
Publisher
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html
