| 2 December 2008 During a working visit in the Swiss Confederation, Mr. Valeriu Ostalep, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, on December 1st 2008, in Bern, had series of meetings with the Swiss authorities form the Federal Department for Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation, with Mr. Ambassador Michael Ambuhl, State Secretary for Political Affairs and Mr. Pierre Helg, Deputy State Secretary, Mr. Claudio Fisher, President of the Parliamentary Commission for foreign affairs and languages, Mr. Laurent Perriard, Head of the Department of International Agreements from the Federal Migration Department. During the disscussions was mentioned the dynamic of the Moldovan-Swiss relations in the current year, during which took place the official visit of the Deputy Prime-minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Andrei Stratan, to Switzerland and Moldovan-Swiss consultations in Chisinau. Therewith, has been mentioned the necessity of valuing the potential of the mixed commission for economic cooperation, which will take place in Geneva, December 3rd. In the same day will unfold the „Moldova presents“ Forum. The diplomats have discussed about the experience of Switzerland in relations with EU, considering the interest of the Republic of Moldova for the Swiss experience in joining the Schengen area, which would become a valuable expertise for the Moldovan authorities. Deputy Minister Ostalep has expressed the interest of the Republic of Moldova in developing the economic relations with Switzerland and the importance of achieving the agreed purposes during the visit of the Head of the Moldovan diplomacy to Switzerland, among which also the possibility of adhesion of Switzerland to the Common Visa Application Center. This subject was discussed also with Mr. Laurent Perriard, Head of the Department of International Agreements from the Federal Migration Department, as well as the eventual signing of the Agreement on visa regime facilitation, suggested by the Moldovan part. The parts also exchanged their opinions on the migration policies and the borders security ones, promoted by both countries. It was mentioned that the liberalization of visa regime with the European states is a priority for the Moldovan authorities. Has been discussed the possibility of improving the inter-parliamentary contacts. On December 2nd the Moldovan Deputy Minister will participate at the 96th Session of the International Organization for Migration Council from Geneva. In the same time will be organized meetings with the Ambassador William Lacy Swing, General Director of IOM, Mrs. Pirkko Kourula, Director of the Bureau for Europe, High Commissariat for Refugees of UNO and will give an interview to a group of journalists from Switzerland about the evolutions from the Republic of Moldova and its relations with EU and International Organizations.
| 
