The opinion "Enhancing the territorial dimension of the EU-Switzerland relationship" by ECR rapporteur Matteo Bianchi has been adopted by unanimity during the October plenary of the European Committee of the Regions. The President of the State Council of the Canton of Ticino (Switzerland), Norman Gobbi, was invited as guest speaker for the debate, during which Bianchi underlined how this was a testament to the quality of the dialogue established and an encouragement to continue with determination on a shared path.

"With this opinion we aim to deepen EU–Switzerland cooperation by reinforcing the role of European local and regional authorities and the Swiss cantons as key partners in multi-level governance. In full respect of Swiss federalism, we call to focus on shared priorities, mobility, infrastructure and the Schengen area, so that citizens in cross-border regions who work across the frontier benefit from constructive decisions taken at the most appropriate level", Mr Bianchi said following the adoption of the opinion.

Mr Bianchi's own constituency borders with Switzerland and he has experienced first-hand the challenges that many cross-border workers face in their daily lives. The opinion further underlines how essential it is to enhance Switzerland's contribution to shared prosperity in Europe, and why European public awareness of Switzerland's contribution to European cohesion needs to be boosted.

"Strengthening the territorial dimension must translate into a continuous and systematic process, essential for effectively supporting and consolidating bilateral cooperation on regional level", Mr Bianchi concluded.