International Affairs Division
The International Affairs Division defends the interests of Switzerland and its citizens by concluding agreements on social security coordination and by participating in activities run by international organisations. It checks the compliance of national legislation with international commitments undertaken by Switzerland, as well as its compatibility with European law. It also shares Swiss experiences in relation to social security and social policy with international partners, and vice versa.
Head: Stephan Cueni
Agreements Unit
- Concludes, reviews and develops social security agreements (incl. Appendix II to the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the EU and the EFTA Convention)
- Represents Switzerland on EU committees which deal specifically with social security coordination matters (incl. the Administrative Commission, the Technical Commission, and the Audit Board)
- Tracks changes in foreign legislation (incl. EU legislation)
- Submits consultation requests and complaints on cases involving international provisions on social security coordination
- Checks the compatibility of Swiss draft legislation with EU legal provisions on social security coordination
- Contributes to the formulation of guidelines, circulars, fact sheets and booklets
- Interprets contractual provisions
- Acts as the point of contact for foreign institutions on the application of agreements
- Handles queries on the application of agreements
- Enforces agreements (special agreements, liaison office for family allowances etc)
Head: Stephan Cueni
International Organisations Unit
- Tracks changes in the standard-setting instruments of international organisations (European Code of Social Security, European Social Charter, UN Conventions, ILO Conventions, etc.): development, interpretation and submission of reports to the supervisory bodies
- Checks the compatibility of Swiss legislation with international law
- Liaises with the Council of Europe, OECD, ILO, ISSA, UN and WTO
- Tracks changes in the standard-setting instruments of the EU (directives and recommendations)
- Takes part in ministerial and high-level conferences
- International commercial law (incl. the general agreement on the freedom to provide services and the free trade agreement)
Head: Claudina Mascetta
International Digitalisations Unit
- Represents Switzerland at the European Commission and in international organisations.
- Coordinates sectoral work in Switzerland on the electronic exchange of information with other countries.
- Serves as the Swiss lead on the EU's EESSI project (Electronic Exchange of Social Security Information): integration, support and upgrade of Switzerland's centralised infrastructure for the electronic exchange of information between Swiss social insurance institutions and the social insurance institutions in EU and EFTA member states, and in the United Kingdom.
- Supports and upgrades applications for the electronic exchange of information between Switzerland and other countries.
- Monitors projects of relevance to the electronic exchange of information between Switzerland and other countries.
Head: Xavier Rossmanith
