Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs,

Bienvenu dans un pays de tradition et dans un canton jeune !

La Sagne is first mentioned in the history books in the 14th century and Neuchâtel, where we were this morning, recently celebrated its first millennium. This region doesn’t forget its rich heritage and its traditions, as we shall also see this afternoon.

Yet – and this might seem paradoxical – this region uses the resources it has inherited from its past to look forward, as you have seen during the visit to Microcity. Neuchâtel is young, thanks to the fresh, forward-looking talents you met. But Neuchâtel is also young in the sense that it was one of the last cantons to join the Confederation – exactly 200 years ago.

Along with my wife and the authorities of the canton and the municipality, I would like to warmly welcome you: welcome to this canton where we have firm roots and to La Sagne for this traditional “torée”, an honest, simple, collective meal. The “torée” is typical of Neuchâtel and has recently been added to the list of “living traditions”, a list that is derived from UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Welcome to you, who live in Switzerland representing your country. You have taken some geographical distance from your roots. You have become a twig in that mighty tree that is your country. A twig that is in contact with the skies, that has chosen openness and that is in touch with the world.

I mentioned it in January, during the reception for the diplomatic corps: « In order to truly see the world, one has to have solid roots.” Just like these firs on the crests of the Jura Mountains: they are firmly anchored in the soil, but from their tops, you can see far off into the distance. The Swiss Plateau, France, and on some bright mornings you can even make out the Black Forest in Germany and the Italian Alps. In January, I invited you to discover this year the Canton of Neuchâtel, with its beauty that spans from its majestic lake to the heights of its splendid mountains; with its breathtaking nature and all the beauty celebrated in the Neuchâtel anthem. Last January, I quoted a few verses from it:

« Ils furent les bons travailleurs, Qui pour les autres ensemencent ; Nous aussi, dans des jours meilleurs, Répandons le grain d’espérance, Afin que la moisson du peuple grandisse, Moisson d’amour et de justice, Au soleil de la liberté ! ».

Ces paroles anciennes, ancrées dans cette petite République, peuvent s’appliquer au monde d’aujourd’hui. Pour faire briller le soleil de la liberté (et qui est un peu timide aujourd’hui – le soleil, pas la liberté !) et des valeurs fondamentales, les Etats doivent trouver ensemble des réponses aux défis des temps. Gouvernements, représentants des Etats, nous devons être de bons travailleurs qui pensent à long terme, œuvrent pour les générations à venir, sèment les graines des solutions qui permettront à nos enfants de récolter de belles moissons.

C’est dans cet esprit que la Constitution suisse a fixé ces buts à notre politique étrangère:

défendre des intérêts : la prospérité, la sécurité et l’indépendance – pour que la moisson du peuple grandisse;
promouvoir des valeurs : la paix, la démocratie, les droits de l’homme, la lutte contre la pauvreté, la protection de l’environnement – pour répandre le grain d’espérance

Enracinée dans ce terreau fertile, la stratégie de politique extérieure du Conseil fédérale se déploie en quatre axes :

Le renforcement de nos contacts avec les pays voisins, ceux que nous pouvons voir en partie du sommet de ces crêtes. Les contacts sont nombreux, des obstacles et des problèmes demeurent mais d’autres trouvent des solutions et prises dans leur ensemble on peut dire de ces relations sont très bonnes.
Le renforcement de nos relations avec l’Union européenne et ses Etats-membres – nous pouvons constater avec satisfaction que les discussions ont pu reprendre dans de nombreux domaines fin avril, après que chacun a fait un pas. Tout n’est pas parfait et rien n’est acquis, il reste beaucoup de travail et il faudra de la volonté politique, de part et d’autre, pour trouver des solutions pragmatiques afin de maintenir une relation bilatérale forte et au bénéfice des deux partenaires en tenant compte du cadre fixé par le peuple. Le Conseil fédéral y travaillera avec toute l’énergie nécessaire.
Thirdly, security and stability in Europe, on its outer edges and in the fragile regions of the world. Currently, Switzerland is making a contribution towards this priority as chair of the OSCE. The situation today shows the utility of keeping open the channels for dialogue that are so useful in times of crisis. It also shows the need for diplomacy, the necessity to go beyond principles and to find pragmatic solutions on the ground. Switzerland has a particular profile in this respect. It is willing and able to offer its impartial and neutral services to secure peace and stability on the continent.
Finally, the fourth axis of our foreign policy: strategic partnerships and global themes. This means on the one hand that Switzerland develops relations with selected countries. At the same time, it gets involved in crucial, global questions such as water for the future of humankind, the fight against terrorism, and enhancing respect for international humanitarian law. We are also striving to further advance Geneva and Switzerland as places where the world’s challenges are met.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Deep roots are needed in order to grow high and to look afar – just as these firs around us. This village of La Sagne where we have invited you is also symbolic of this dual characteristic: deep-rootedness and openness. The first mentions of this village describe it as a place of transition between the Swiss Plateau and Neuchâtel towards Franche-Comté and France. This openness has been a source of wealth for the canton of Neuchâtel for quite a long time – it is one of the biggest exporters of Swiss watches.
The Swiss watchmaking tradition by the way is thought to have been started by a native of the village of La Sagne, Daniel Jean-Richard. The culture of watchmaking can be witnessed today in different forms. At Microcity, the tradition of watchmaking as well as its daughter, micro engineering, are turned towards the future. This afternoon, you will visit La Chaux-de-Fonds, which has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site for its urbanism developed to meet the needs of watchmaking. The tradition of watchmaking was imported, established itself here, was perfected and bears fruit of high quality that is exported across the globe.

But watches are not the only thing that link this region with the world: La Chaux-de-Fonds is the birthplace of the architect Le Corbusier, the writer Blaise Cendrars, the painter Léopold Robert, and the automobile pioneer Louis Chevrolet – openness has therefore also become a “trademark” for La Chaux-de-Fonds.

Mesdames et Messieurs,

Je conclus. L’eau - une priorité de la politique extérieure suisse. Les gouttes de pluie qui tombent ici se séparent exactement sur cette crête.

La goutte qui glisse au Nord finira… loin au Sud, rejoignant le Doubs, puis la Saône et le Rhône pour se jeter dans la Méditerranée. La goutte qui glisse au Sud, elle, finira - joli paradoxe - en mer du Nord, par l’Areuse, les lacs de Neuchâtel et Bienne, l’Aare puis le Rhin. Nous voici sur un sommet qui partage les eaux de deux grands fleuves d’Europe, tous deux natifs de Suisse, tous deux traits d’union de ce pays avec le monde.

Mais Neuchâtel n’a pas que de l’eau à offrir. Sur les rivages de son beau lac, des vignes séculaires nous offrent un vin merveilleux – produit de la vigne, du soleil, de travail et de la vie – et merveilleux liant d’amitié.

Alors, je vous dis tout simplement : santé !

« Des racines et des rameaux - entre tradition et ouverture » (fr/en)