Strengthening Parliamentary Cooperation between Serbia and Switzerland

On 9 June 2026, the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia hosted a working lunch for the Switzerland–Serbia Parliamentary Friendship Group.

The event was attended by three members of the Council of States and eleven members of the National Council, including the Group’s Co-Presidents Christian Imark and Sibel Arslan, who also serves as Chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council.

The Switzerland–Serbia Parliamentary Friendship Group has continued to grow steadily, increasing from 17 members in December last year to 23 members today. As a result, it has become the fifth-largest parliamentary friendship group in the Swiss Federal Parliament, reflecting the growing interest in strengthening bilateral relations between Switzerland and Serbia.

The discussion focused on two main topics: the successful visit of Swiss President Guy Parmelin to Serbia in April, and the current situation in Kosovo and Metohija, particularly in light of the upcoming vote in the National Council on the extension of the Swisscoy mandate, Switzerland’s contingent within KFOR.

Following introductory remarks by the Group’s Secretary, Bojan Stojanović, Co-President Christian Imark shared his impressions from his visit to Belgrade late last year and informed the members about the Parliamentary Friendship Group’s upcoming activities and priorities aimed at further strengthening relations between Switzerland and Serbia.

Ambassador Ivan Trifunović briefed the members on President Parmelin’s visit to Serbia, underlining its very positive results and cordial atmosphere.

Among the concrete outcomes were the signing of an agreement on Swiss support for innovation in Serbia through SDC for 2026-2029, worth CHF 90 million, the agreement in principle to open a bilateral dialogue on human rights, and a renewed commitment to accelerate the implementation of dual education in Serbia, inspired by the Swiss model.

An important part of the programme was dedicated to the human rights situation of the Serb community in Kosovo and Metohija.

Jovana Radosavljević from Kosovo and Metohija gave testimony about violations of the human rights of the Serb minority. A Swiss-Serbian businessman also shared the disturbing case of a relative who was arbitrarily arrested by Kosovo special police and mistreated in custody, leading to a rapid deterioration of his medical condition.

Both speakers expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Swiss Government to help, while also appealing for stronger pressure on the authorities in Pristina to stop human rights violations and ensure safety, dignity and equal treatment for the Serb community and other non-majority communities.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the upcoming visit of Swiss parliamentarians to Belgrade in October, which will provide another important opportunity to further strengthen parliamentary dialogue and Serbia-Switzerland relations.