Switzerland Foreign relations Italy

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). The two countries share a long border, three common official 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) and a regional language (Lombard spoken in Canton Ticino in Switzerland and Lombardy in Italy). Valtellina in the Lombardy region was part of Switzerland from 1512 to 1797. 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. Relations between the two countries are represented through a range of commercial, cultural and technological relationships. Italy is not only the second largest trading partner in Europe, but also shares with the Federation a collaboration in migration. Cooperation strengthened by the better application of the Dublin Regulation, specifically on readmission matter. A further step has been taken with the agreement on customs and police cooperation on cross-border control and security.