“It is the greatest honor for me to host the President of the National Council of the Swiss Confederation, Mme. Irène Kälin and her Delegation on their official visit. We are committed to maintaining the positive tendency and further enhancing the partnership between our countries”, - the Speaker, Shalva Papuashvili stated at the joint briefing with the President of the National Council of the Swiss Confederation, Mme. Irène Kälin.

According to the Speaker, the visit of the Swiss Parliamentary Delegation is symbolic and important since 2022 is the year of the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, and all these 30 years of cooperation included our successful partnership as the Speaker noted.

“The visit of the Swiss Parliamentary Delegation is symbolic and important since 2022 is the year of the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, and all these 30 years of cooperation included our successful partnership in the political, trade-economic, inter-parliamentary and development directions. It is noteworthy that our cooperation is now enriched with the spheres like environmental protection, vocational education, people-to-people relations etc. We particularly value the contribution of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SCD) to the economic and public transformation of Georgia”, - the Speaker noted.

He highlighted the importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation. “We discussed the parliamentary links, including the partnership between the Friendship Group and the Committees. Cooperation in this direction and facilitation of the visits and meetings will significantly contribute to the further development of our bilateral relations for the prosperity of our citizens”, - the Speaker added and thanked the Swiss politician for the intact support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and expressed his commitment to further enhancing the cooperation and friendship.

“At the meeting, we discussed the years-old productive cooperation between our countries. We are extremely grateful for the intermediary function of Switzerland in Georgia-Russia relations and the support of the sector of Georgia in the Embassy of Switzerland. I would like to reiterate my words of gratitude to Mme. Kälin and the Delegation members for their visit and commitment to cooperation and friendship”, - he ended his speech.

According to I. Kälin, the relations between Georgia and Switzerland are productive in many directions; she stressed the importance of the further enhancement of cooperation: “our visit is particularly important when in 2022, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. The relations between Georgia and Switzerland are very close at all levels – political, economic and civil. We are aspired to intensify our engagement in Georgia-related issues. Our program for 2022-2025 reveals the degree of importance of Georgia for our country. Switzerland keeps supporting Georgia as in professional development so in job opportunities, conflict resolution and solution of the ecological problems”, - she stated and reaffirmed her support to the territorial integrity of Georgia.

“Switzerland supports Georgia within the internationally recognized borders and we speak about the quality of vulnerability of the democratic balance and peace. We understand that Georgia is best aware of the possible impact of military actions on the economy and other aspects. In this problematic period, we need to focus on common values. After the pandemic, we all know that Ukraine is under military action, which has significantly affected not only Europe and our country but the world as well. We have to work on this problem and keep striving also on environmental protection. We shall be untied; despite our dissents on certain issues, we shall find a common solution and adhere to the common values, justice, human rights and all the fundamental rights that shall serve as our moral compass as in Georgia, so in Switzerland”, - she stated