The Control Committee of the National Council (GPK-N) recently reported on problems connected with the abusive issuance of visas by certain Swiss representations abroad. It also evaluated the effectiveness of the measures taken by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to combat these problems.

In its report of 17 April 2007, the GPK-N pointed out that the "DFA took the recent affairs seriously", that it had made serious efforts to thoroughly investigate these cases, and that it communicated its conclusions transparently. The GPK-N also said that it was convinced that the circumstances that led to the problems in Islamabad and Jakarta had been comprehensively clarified. The committee additionally noted that the DFA had taken various corrective measures to improve the visa situation.

In the view of the Federal Council, the six specific recommendations made by the GPK-N in its report were "useful pointers for maintaining the quality of consular services provided by Swiss representations in the visa area". In its reply to the GPK-N, the Federal Council wrote that for the most part it agreed with the recommendations, and has already implemented the majority of them.

The GPK-N recommendations concern the role of the head of mission and of consular staff, as well as cooperation with cantonal authorities, other European countries and intermediaries.