Signature of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Governments

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The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Committee of the Regions and the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Governments marks a significant step in institutionalizing cooperation, moving beyond abstract diplomatic relations to foster concrete political proximity through regular dialogue and thematic exchanges. This agreement is particularly important because it leverages the unique strengths of Switzerland's federal system, where twenty-six cantons often hold diverse opinions that necessitate extensive discussion, compromise, and a search for balance rather than simple convenience. By formalizing this partnership, both parties aim to create a pragmatic framework that strengthens mutual understanding among local administrators in border regions, ensuring that European integration remains grounded in the daily lives of citizens who work, study, commute, and live across shared borders with neighboring countries like Germany, France, Italy, Austria, and Liechtenstein. The core argument presented by Swiss representatives is that federalism serves as a vital model for bringing institutions closer to people while maintaining strong regional roles, which directly impacts the lives of citizens in border areas where Europe begins just kilometers away or across a bridge. The cantons act as essential supporting pillars within the Swiss state, possessing extensive expertise in critical sectors such as education, health, economics, culture, and spatial planning that are heavily influenced by both federal and European political developments. Consequently, this memorandum is not merely about diplomatic negotiations but represents a recognition of how deeply intertwined these regions are through rail connections, cross-border economic value chains, university exchanges, and healthcare collaborations, making the relationship between Switzerland and the EU a matter of immediate relevance rather than an abstract concept for local populations. European officials from France, Germany, Italy, and Belgium echoed this sentiment by highlighting that while bilateral agreements with specific border regions already exist, this new accord expands cooperation to include all Swiss cantons, thereby respecting their federal structure and subsidiarity principles. Speakers emphasized that the initiative demonstrates a broad consensus on constructing more solid relationships that benefit not only frontier communities but also businesses and local enterprises across the continent. By acknowledging Switzerland's distinct institutional peculiarities while celebrating its deep integration into Europe, this agreement aims to generate tangible benefits for all stakeholders, allowing European regions to learn from Swiss practices in multi-level governance and jointly address transnational challenges with renewed energy and a shared ambition for deeper territorial cooperation.

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We move on to point sorry 19 agenda signature memorandum understanding swis conference govern and welcome marusent are comm of the c and reg andal government alsoing reg associations institutions can help this cooperation to digest better what is happening in the affs regs dig instaled cooperation cooperation importants because they keep the momentum going especially when a lot of other things are happening in the world institutionalized cooperations have significance in the long run when it's intervals. Madam President, esteemed members of the Committee of the Regions, ladies and gentlemen, in Switzerland it is sometimes said that when 26 cantons sit at a table, there are usually at least 26 opinions. Anyone who knows Switzerland knows that this is probably a rather conservative estimate. But therein also lies one of our country's strengths. Federalism does not always mean simplicity and convenience. Federalism means discussion, the search for balance and compromise, closeness to the people, and ultimately viable solutions. And this experience connects us with many regions of Europe. It is therefore a great honor for me today, as President of the Conference of Cantonal Governments, to sign the declaration of intent between the Committee of the Regions and the Conference of Cantonal Governments. A letter of intent is initially just a piece of paper. It only becomes politically important when it is brought to life through personal encounters, growing trust, and ultimately, concrete cooperation. That's exactly what we're talking about today. The Conference of Cantonal Governments is the political platform of the 26 cantonal governments of Switzerland . It coordinates and represents the common interests of the cantons, especially where cantonal responsibilities are affected by federal and European political developments . The cantons are the supporting pillars of the Swiss federal state. They possess extensive expertise, such as education, health, economics, culture, taxes, spatial planning, or the implementation of the law. And that is why the relationship between Switzerland and the EU is not an abstract question for us. They have a very direct and effective impact on the lives and politics of our citizens in the cantons, border regions, and everyday life . This was also exemplified by the initiative statement launched by Matteo Bian . Relations between Switzerland and the European Union do not only take place between diplomats and lawyers in negotiating rooms. No, it takes place primarily where people work, where people study, where they conduct research , where they commute, where they invest, and where they live together. And Switzerland is one of the EU's closest partners, without being a member of the EU itself. And yet, Switzerland is right in the heart of Europe. Our relationship is therefore characterized by great closeness, mutual dependence and at the same time respect for the respective institutional peculiarities. The Swiss cantons, especially the 15 border cantons, live this reality every day. Just as the EU borders not only Switzerland but also cantons, Switzerland is surrounded not only by states but also by regions. From Baden-Württemberg, from Bavaria, from Vorarlberg and Tyrol, from Lombardy, from South Tyrol, Biont, Ostal, Grand Burg, Franconian and Roo, and Alps, by the way, all economically very strong regions in these border regions, in these cross-border economic and living spaces, Europe becomes concrete in rail connections, inter-projects of health cooperation, also university exchanges and the economic value chains in the daily contacts between people. For the cantons, Europe is therefore not geographically far away. Europe often begins just a few kilometers away, sometimes on the other side of a bridge, a train station, or a shared border. With the declaration of intent that we are allowed to sign, we also want to strengthen political proximity through dialogue. We are creating a pragmatic political framework for regular contacts, thematic exchanges, and better mutual understanding. And I thank you very much, Madam President, and the Committee of the Regions, for your openness and willingness to deepen this cooperation with us, with Kadek, with the cantons and Switzerland. Special thanks go to Matteo Bianke and all the people who have supported this process with great dedication. I look forward to this new chapter in the relations between the European Committee of the Regions and the Swiss cantons. Thank you very much. Thank you. Grace. Thank you, President. Grazie signor Marcus D e grazie cari colleghe, cari colleghi. I don't have to worry about the fact that the initial initiative is based on the part of the territorial dimension of the relationships between the European Union and Switzerland, which also has an important coronamento isituzionale and desidero also ringraziare in the membri of the Comitato Europeo delle regionali che Hanno took all the initiative to propose the rendering of the cooperation with the Conference of the Swiss Cantonal Government . Questo ampio consenso dimostra che il tema non riguarda soltanto the regioni di confine, ma al modo stesso in cui intendediamo constructruire relazioni più solid, più concrete, più vicine ai cittadini. Ringrazio in particolare il presidente Marcus Diet che il nostro incontro nella phase of preparation of the parere with già confermato una cosa molto chiara, rafforzare il dialogueo with i svizzeri cantoni e la direzione giusta. The relatives have the power to determine the quantity for which they enter into the part of the volontà di approfondire la dimensione territoriale delle relazioni Unione Europea e Svizzera e questo memorandum è a result of concreto di source ambizione condivisa e un passo verso una cooperazione più stretta. The multi-level government model for the concrete application of the sussidiarietà attiva rappresenta un riferimento importante perché chi crede in istituzioni vicine ai cittadini e in un forte ruolo dei territories. Sono particolarmente liesto che attraverso questa cooperazione un numero più ampio di amministratori locali e regionali europei potrà conoscerla da vicino, also from the two territories, come la Lombardia and the regioni di confine collaborano già con la Svizzera. Rispettare il federalismo Swiss e riconoscere il ruolo dei cantoni Swissvizzeri delle regionsi delle città europee ci aiuterà certamente ad affrontare sfide transfrontaliere comuni e a generare benefici concreti per cittadini, imprese e comunità locali. Grace. Grazie and give the floor to our members who get bonjour madame la president merci beaucoup je me réjouis aujour'hui de la signature de cet accord entre les cantons Suisses et le CDR c'est vraiment un moment très important et outre les accords qui existent déjà avec les régions frontalières comme l'Allemagne, comme la France, je salue this initiative. En effet, nous avons déjà conclu des accords bilatéraux franco-suisse with les cantons de balle bal ville bal ville et campaignne. And I remember that this concrétization ait pu se faire aujourd'hui. In effect, in the Grand Est region, we have achieved great success in partenariat with the Suisse in the cadre du conseil rénant de la conference dur supérieur et je me félicite de this new énergie que va donner cet accord que nous concluons aujourd'hui . Bravo à vous tous qui avré merci monsieur le rapporteur et longue vie à ce new accord bilatéral merci thank president geachte voorzitter Marcus the collega's het doet me werkelijk veel plezier dat the comité van regional's vandaag deze memorandum of understanding met onze collega's van de Zwitsers cantons ondertekend. I already had the country in the various cantons in Zwitserland, where the residents and the public can organize vast positions in the country. Zwitserland is a toonbeeld van goedwerkend confederalisme, with a great deal of respect for the subsidiariteit waarbij strong cantons over sleutelbevoegdheden beschikken and an essential role play for the burgers and ondernemingen. This must also be formalized by the regional committee of the region. The relations between the European Union and the Zwitser Confederatie are always very different in the classic international seed works of these states. As long as you are in Zwitserland, you will also have seeds in the cantons and the local authorities. The onze burgers and ondernemingen legal trees were raked . And I'll be able to get the same results from the seed plant for sale . If both partners all succeed toe. And how we know the word and come from the European Union. Ik dank u. Thank you. Thank you vials for your statements and also a very heartfelt thank you to Matteo Bian who actually initiated the whole thing together with the KDK. I believe we have a very good starting point here to understand each other, to strengthen the regions, and ultimately we always live in our countries, but we also live in our regions, and to identify these strengths of cooperation in these regions and to strengthen these strengths even further , gives us opportunities for mutual understanding and ultimately also for a better understanding of all the questions that arise in various topics and challenges on our continent. And Switzerland, I emphasize once again, Switzerland is in the heart of Europe, not only geographically, but we also want to contribute, and that is why we are here today to sign this. Many thanks. Thank you. invite you to understand.