By spring, the Italian government is expected to clarify its position on a new tax system for cross-border commuters between Italy and Switzerland.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/sm
“It is a delicate issue that must be digested sufficiently, with both administrative and political evaluations. It takes time, but spring is not far away,” Italian Foreign Affairs Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi told Swiss Foreign Affairs Minister Ignazio CassisExternal link in Lugano in southern Switzerland on Monday.
The tax talks have been at a standstill for years. Cassis noted that Switzerland had been “waiting for Italy to sign since 2015”.
“Now we have confirmation that Italy will give us a clear answer by spring at the latest. It is important for us to have a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer to move from a climate of waiting to a climate of construction,” Cassis said after Monday’s meeting.
In addition to cross-border commuters, the two leaders talked about issues such as financial services, migrants, relations with Europe, and the situation of Campione d’Italia – an Italian enclave hit by the bankruptcy of the municipal casino. Milanesi has guaranteed the CHF4 million ($4.07 million) of debt that the enclave owes to the Italian-speaking Swiss canton of Ticino.
“It was an important day between two nations geographically and historically close. Between Italy and Switzerland there is a real and potential synergy that we can only cultivate,” Milanesi said. This was the first meeting between the two men.
More
More
Switzerland says no to relocation of migrants from Italy and Greece
This content was published on
According to the SonntagsBlick paper, a spokesperson from the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) has confirmed that currently Switzerland has no plans to renew its commitment to accept asylum seekers from southern European countries. The Alpine nation had participated in the first such relocation programme in 2015, pledging to take in 1,500 asylum seekers from Italy and…
Switzerland condemns deadly attack on UN convoy in Sudan
This content was published on
Switzerland has strongly condemned the deadly attack on a United Nations humanitarian convoy in Sudan. Five people were killed, wrote the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) on Platform X.
Most over-65s in Switzerland regularly use the internet
This content was published on
The digital divide is narrowing faster than expected in Switzerland. A study published on Wednesday reveals that nine out of ten over-65s use the internet.
Will Swiss president be forbidden from speaking English to counterparts?
This content was published on
Switzerland's president, Karin Keller-Sutter, should use one of the country's four national languages when communicating with international organisations, and not English, according to a motion that passed on Wednesday.
Canton Valais gives CHF10 million to Blatten after devastating landslide
This content was published on
Canton Valais is releasing CHF10 million ($12.1 million) in emergency funds for the mountain village of Blatten, which was wiped out by a devastating glacier collapse last week.
Elderly Swiss-Tunisian man held in prison in Tunisia
This content was published on
An 81-year-old Swiss-Tunisian dual national is being held in a Tunisian prison. The former manager of the UN refugee agency UNHCR was arrested a year ago, according to Amnesty International.
Major traffic jams expected in Switzerland for Whitsun weekend
This content was published on
Long traffic jams can be expected near the Gotthard Tunnel, the main north-south transalpine route in Switzerland, on Friday and Saturday afternoons due to the Whitsun holiday.
Swiss defence minister launches probe into alleged spy links with Russia
This content was published on
Swiss Defence Minister Martin Pfister has launched an investigation into the alleged disclosure of sensitive information by the cyber division of the Federal Intelligence Service to Russia.
PFAS-contaminated meat still sold in eastern Switzerland
This content was published on
Meat containing excessive levels of toxic PFAS "forever chemicals" produced by farms in canton St Gallen is still being sold.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
New cash bonus for babies born south of the Swiss Alps
This content was published on
In an effort to boost the local birthrate, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland is introducing a CHF3,000 ($3,032) bonus for having a child.
This content was published on
The number of people living abroad but commuting to jobs in Switzerland has been increasing steadily in recent years and is now close to 320,000.
Switzerland and Italy seek better coordination over Europe
This content was published on
Addressing an audience of 320 Swiss diplomats, including Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter, gathered at the UN on Monday morning, Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Paolo Gentiloni gave a long speech in Italian extending his gratitude. “Thank you, Didier, for inviting me to such an important meeting,” said the Italian minister. “I consider this an…
This content was published on
Switzerland could start paying more for unemployed cross-border commuters under EU proposals to change the benefits system.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.