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Mr President
Mrs Pavlová
Excellencies
My fellow Federal Council members
Ladies and gentlemen

Mr President, we are delighted to welcome you and your delegation to Switzerland.

Yours is the first state visit to our country by a Czech president since that of your legendary predecessor Václav Havel in the summer of 2001. Since then, bilateral relations have developed considerably. It is high time to recognise this and to underscore the close ties our countries share.

For example, the tradition of inventiveness, which goes back a long way in both Switzerland and the Czech Republic. Without us, the world would probably have to do without such useful objects as contact lenses, the propeller, Velcro and the hand blender.

It is said that the Swiss and Czechs also share a preference for practical things in other areas too, such as functional hiking gear. We can spot each other all over the world. As a keen mountain hiker, I will be keeping an eye out in future.

These close ties can be explained partly by history – for example, the fact that 13,000 people from the former Czechoslovakia found a new home in Switzerland after the suppression of the Prague Spring.

The search for common features can take us further back. King Sigismund of Burgundy, for example, founded the Abbey of St. Maurice in Valais in the early sixth century. Later, his remains were brought to Prague by relic collectors, where he became a patron saint of the Kingdom of Bohemia.

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Mr President
Excellencies

Our two countries have much in common. We will have the opportunity to discuss the full range of our bilateral relations today. We will also touch on international developments.

The world's attention is currently focused on Washington. The American people have voted, and their vote has major implications for the rest of the world.

However, there are global trends with long-term effects that we as Europeans will increasingly have to adapt to. These include the fragmented geostrategic situation, the increasing number of conflicts and growing economic protectionism. The vast majority of European states today are democracies, constitutional states, and economies that combine entrepreneurial thinking and social achievements. This is a good model. I would go so far as to say: the best in human history! It is up to us to maintain it, to make it storm-proof.

When countries like Switzerland and the Czech Republic engage in political dialogue, discuss the security situation and promote economic ties – in short, when we strengthen our ties – we help to consolidate the European structure as a whole. In the current geopolitical context, it is particularly important that close partners maintain good and stable relations.

This applies to Switzerland and the Czech Republic – and equally to Switzerland and the European Union as a whole. In the ongoing negotiations between Switzerland and the EU, there is a palpable desire to make progress and to stabilise and further develop the proven bilateral relations. However, there are still unresolved issues and positions that need to converge. We are working on this. Ultimately, balanced solutions are needed that benefit both sides in order to gain support in Switzerland and in the EU. The member states play an important role within the EU in providing support.

Probably the most important task for the future of our continent is to restore peace and security. With this goal in mind, Switzerland is committed to a lasting and just peace in Ukraine and to the reconstruction of the country.
Since February 2022, we have organised three major international conferences on this issue – in Lugano, on the Bürgenstock and in Lausanne. I am grateful for the support we have received from the Czech Republic in this regard.

Our countries stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine – especially now, as the country faces its third winter of war. Today, we will also discuss other conflicts facing the international community, particularly those in the Middle East. And we will discuss multilateralism, which urgently needs a new push.

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Mr President
Excellencies

As nations of innovators, Switzerland and the Czech Republic have great potential when it comes to bilateral cooperation. And as European countries with shared values and interests, we also have a great responsibility to contribute to peace and prosperity in Europe and worldwide – whether working individually or jointly.

Mr President, Mrs Pavlová, the entire Federal Council is delighted to have you here. We are very much looking forward to today's discussions and future collaboration between our countries!

Address by Ms Viola Amherd, President of the Swiss Confederation on the occasion of the state visit by Mr Petr Pavel, President of the Czech Republic