Italy's foreign minister Luigi Di Maio on Tuesday praised Switzerland's resounding rejection of a bid to cancel an agreement with the European Union on freedom of movement in a referendum called the rightwing Swiss People’s party.
Italy and Switzerland are not only neighbours but have expanding economic ties, while the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the two countries closer together, premier Giuseppe Conte said on Tuesday.
Foreign undersecretary Ivan Scalfarotto held talks in Bern with Swiss secretary of state for economic affairs and trade Marie Gabrielle Ineichen Fleisch and secretary of state and director for European Affairs Roberto Balzaretti on Wednesday to mull bilateral ties and how to strengthen these, to the Italian foreign ministry said in a statement.
Bilateral ties and the rights of around 70,000 cross-border workers are Italy's priorities in its relations with Switzerland, foreign minister Luigi Di Maio said on Tuesday.
