Georgia-Switzerland talks to improve bilateral relations
Georgian leader Salome Zourabichvili received by Guy Parmelin and Ignazio Cassis at the Lohn residence in view of Bern-Tbilisi synergies
On 15 October, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Guy Parmelin, and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), welcomed Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili to the Lohn residence.
This was the first official visit to Switzerland by a Georgian president. The talks focused on the development of bilateral relations, which are characterised by close cooperation, growing economic exchanges, Switzerland’s good offices and Switzerland’s long-standing commitment in the South Caucasus.
Both sides emphasised that their political, economic and cultural ties had strengthened in recent years. Bilateral economic relations have developed positively despite the pandemic and the potential for growth remains as high as in the past.
Good offices and economic agreements at the Russia-Switzerland summit
131 million francs of trade in 2020
Last year the volume of trade amounted to CHF 131 million. Switzerland and Georgia are already working closely together in the fight against climate change.
This collaboration will be further strengthened through a bilateral agreement, as provided for in the Paris Agreement.
The delegations discussed topics with potential for strengthening relations, such as the planned dialogue on energy and expanded cooperation in the area of migration through the conclusion of a comprehensive bilateral migration partnership.
The objectives of Switzerland’s international cooperation in the South Caucasus in the coming years were also discussed.
The cooperation strategy for the years 2022 to 2025 confirms the high political and economic importance Switzerland attaches to the region.
Switzerland now says yes to the “China Strategy 2021-2024”
Federal contributions to a sustainable economy
The planned contribution to Georgia remains stable at CHF 34 million. The programme aims to promote sustainable economic growth, thereby helping to mitigate the social and economic consequences of the pandemic.
Peace promotion, in particular the improvement of the living conditions of the population affected by the conflict, is also at the heart of Switzerland’s activities in the region. As part of its mandate as a protecting power, Switzerland has been representing Georgia’s diplomatic interests in Moscow and Russia’s interests in Tbilisi since 2009.
The Swiss delegation thanked Georgia for the trust it has placed in Switzerland in this regard.
The agenda also included the situation in the South Caucasus and Eastern Europe, the security architecture and the important role played by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), as well as international cooperation between Switzerland and Georgia.
