Italy–Switzerland relations

Diplomatic relations between Italy and Switzerland have traditionally been close and are currently governed by a complex set of treaties (including those with the European Union (EU), of which Italy is a member).[1]

Italian-Swiss relations

Italy	Switzerland

The two countries share a long border and three common languages (Italian is one of Switzerland's four official languages, German and French are recognised minority languages in Italy; moreover, Romansh is close to Ladin and Friulian, spoken in Northern Italy). Valtellina in the Lombardy region was part of Switzerland from 1512 to 1797. [2] There are 48,000 Swiss in Italy and Italian citizens are the largest foreign group in Switzerland: 500,000 including those with dual citizenship. Switzerland was a popular destination for Italian emigrants in the 19th century and between 1950 and 1970 half of all foreigners in Switzerland were Italian. There are also more Swiss schools in Italy than any other country in the world.[1]

Italy is Switzerland's second largest trading partner and Switzerland is Italy's 8th largest investor (CHF 22bn) creating 78,000 jobs. The Lombardy Region represents 90% of all Switzerland's trading with Italy according to former federal councillor Ueli Maurer.[3] Italy invests CHF 6bn in Switzerland and creates 13,000 jobs.[1] The two are integrated heavily through the EU's treaties with Switzerland and Switzerland is also part of the EU's Schengen Area which abolishes international borders between Schengen states.