Switzerland and Liechtenstein discuss legal cooperation

A high-level delegation from Liechtenstein has been meeting Swiss government officials for talks on improving collaboration in the fight against international crime. It follows a recent visit to Vaduz by the foreign minister, Joseph Deiss (see picture).

A high-level delegation from Liechtenstein has been meeting government officials in the Swiss capital, Berne, for talks aimed at improving collaboration between the two countries in the fight against international crime.

Relations between Switzerland and Liechtenstein were strained recently after the Geneva prosecutor, Bernard Bertossa, criticised the principality for responding slowly to requests for judicial cooperation, notably in fraud cases.

The talks in Berne followed an official visit to Vaduz by the Swiss foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, last month (see picture). During the visit he met with Liechtenstein’s prime minister, Mario Frick, and announced the appointment of a new Swiss ambassador to the principality.

Thursday’s meeting concentrated largely on proposals for improving judicial cooperation and the fight against money-laundering. The Swiss delegation applauded Liechtenstein’s plans to revise key laws before the end of the year.

In addition, the two sides continued discussions on an agreement designed to complement the European Convention on Judicial Cooperation.

From staff and wire reports