Rösler meets Swiss Federal Councillor Schneider-Ammann and Austrian Economy Minister Mitterlehner for economic policy talks
Dr. Philipp Rösler, Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, met today in Vienna with Swiss Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, and their Austrian counterpart Dr. Reinhold Mitterlehner, for a discussion of economic policy. The traditional meeting of the three ministers of economic affairs, which took place for the 33rd time this year, focused on the current economic developments, particularly in the eurozone, and on the relations between Switzerland and the EU.
Minister Rösler commented: "Today's meeting confirmed yet again that intensive contacts with our partners from Austria and Switzerland are very important, especially in difficult times like these. The dialogue on experience with coping with the crisis is most valuable and provides important ideas for the future. The economies of our three countries are closely integrated. Austria and Switzerland are important destinations for our exports and employers of German citizens.Our economy benefits from this. We are working to further intensify our economic relations."
Germany's trade with Austria and Switzerland expanded substantially in 2011. The volume of bilateral trade stood at around ¤95m with Austria, and approx. ¤84m with Switzerland. Germany is easily the most important economic partner for both Austria and Switzerland. In 2011, Austria and Switzerland ranked 7th and 8th respectively amongst the leading destinations for German exports. German firms provide 233,000 jobs in Austria and 123,000 jobs in Switzerland. In Germany, Austrian firms employ around 150,000 people and Swiss companies provide work for roughly 330,000 people.
