“We are not spared by the malice of the times. We therefore need new and adapted partnerships and alliances.” – Ambassador Jean-François Paroz
Edited by Anna Popper
Swiss National Day, observed on the 1st August, honours the legendary origins of Switzerland in 1291, when the cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden forged an alliance. According to tradition, 733 years ago on the Rütli meadow by Lake Lucerne, a group of courageous men swore a solemn oath to defend their freedom and support one another. This historic agreement, known as the Rütli Oath, symbolizes the spirit of unity and independence that defines Switzerland. It is celebrated as the founding moment of the Swiss Confederation, a nation built on solidarity, shared values and a commitment to freedom.
To mark the 733rd anniversary of birth of the Swiss Confederation, H.E. Mr. Jean-François Paroz, the Swiss Ambassador to Hungary and Dr. Yulia Gusynina Paroz hosted a splendid reception in the garden of the Swiss Embassy in Budapest. The setting was elegantly decorated with red flags bearing the iconic white Federal Cross.
The event was attended by a number of distinguished guests from Hungarian society, including the Guest of Honour Minister Dr. Tibor Navracsics, notable figures from political, business, cultural and academic sectors, as well as members of the diplomatic corps, the Swiss community in Hungary, and many friends of Switzerland, which ranks No. 1 in the world seven times in nine years according to the 2024 Best Countries Report published on 10 September.
The celebration started with the address of Ambassador Jean-François Paroz:
“Dear Guests,
Together with my wife Yulia, my daughter Lydie-Line and the excellent staff of my Embassy, I welcome you wholeheartedly tonight to celebrate the 733rd anniversary of the Swiss Confederation.
We thank you for your presence and warmly welcome our guest of honour, His Excellency Dr. Tibor Navracsics, Minister of Public Administration and Regional Development.
Let us first listen to the Youth Wind Orchestra from Tápiógyörgye, performing the national anthems of Switzerland and Hungary, as well as the European Union’s Hymn for us.
Tápiógyörgye is a sister city of Wünnewil-Flamatt in Switzerland, not far from our capital Bern. Since 1995, the two cities have maintained an active partnership, which is a symbol of the friendship between our two countries. They are a symbol of the strong people to people bilateral relations between Switzerland and Hungary.”
“Thank you, dear musicians, for your outstanding musical performance.
Dear guests, let me start with a quotation: ‘Let everyone know, that, considering the malice of the times and in order to better be able to defend (…) their lives and their property, the people of the Uri Valley, the Landsgemeinde of the Schwytz Valley and that of the people of the lower valley of Unterwald have pledged themselves, under oath taken in good faith, to lend each other any rescue, support and assistance with all their power and efforts, without sparing neither their lives nor their property, (…) against all those who, by any hostile act (…) would attack them or cause them some damage.’
In 1291, through the Federal Pact, the old Confederates wanted to create better chances for themselves to successfully face the malice of the times. 733 years later, while we thought that war in Europe was a thing of the past, a war of aggression has been raging in a neighbouring country for two and a half years.
75 years after the adoption of the Geneva conventions, hospitals are being bombed in Europe, the Middle East and in too many parts of the world and the civilian population is paying the highest price as a result of terrorist attacks and violations of international law. We thought that our work could enable our children to enjoy better life than ours, but the social and economic perspectives are far from guaranteeing this. Climate change impacts our countries and spares nobody. Recently, floods and landslides have caused deaths and destruction in Switzerland, as in many other countries in Europe and beyond.
Indeed, we are not spared by the malice of the times. We therefore need new and adapted partnerships and alliances. 2024 marks Hungary’s 25th anniversary in NATO and its 20th anniversary in the EU. It also marks 25 years since the conclusion of the first bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU.
It is a year in which the high-level political dialogue between Switzerland and Hungary has reached great intensity, as in April and May the President of the Swiss Confederation and the Swiss Federal Councillors in charge of Foreign affairs and finance visited their counterparts in Budapest.
The organisation of the Bürgenstock Summit on Peace in Ukraine, the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU and the ongoing negotiations between Switzerland and the EU on a third package of bilateral agreements were good reasons for this intensification of our dialogue. We thank the Hungarian authorities for the support they have expressed for the successful conclusion of the negotiations between Switzerland and the EU. This year, on the Swiss side, we don’t want to occupy Brussels, but we certainly keep Brussels occupied.
Brussels is indeed very busy with us. In direct and representative democracies, the people are the sole holders of sovereignty. Therefore, the Swiss people will ultimately have to decide if they accept the outcome of these negotiations. I hope they will.
Switzerland and the EU share a complex and multifaceted relationship, primarily governed by more than 120 bilateral agreements. While 70% of imports to Switzerland come from the EU, around half of our exports go to the EU. This makes the EU Switzerland’s largest trading partner. Conversely, Switzerland is the EU’s fourth largest trading partner.
In Hungary, this is reflected in many different ways. 900 private Swiss companies make Switzerland the 7th most important investor country, creating almost 30,000 jobs. Our dialogue also aims at ensuring that good framework conditions, including legal security, prevail for our investors.
On 12 July 2024, I had the pleasure of signing the protocol updating the double taxation convention between our two countries at the Hungarian Finance Ministry.
Unfortunately, the Hungarian government has not yet provided a satisfactory response to Swiss concerns regarding the measures against the construction company HOLCIM.
Dear Mr. Minister, the Second Swiss-Hungarian cooperation program under the Second Swiss Contribution also aims to make a positive contribution to further development and to reducing social and economic disparities in Europe. Thanks to good preparations and excellent cooperation between the Swiss and Hungarian teams in your ministry and in the partner ministries, around 80% of the projects have already been launched and I am looking forward to their successive implementation with many opening ceremonies in the next months.
I remain confident that, with my dedicated Swiss and Hungarian staff at the Embassy, I can contribute to this as a friend of Hungary and not as a foreign agent.
Dear Minister, we have developed an excellent cooperation ‘under oath taken in good faith’, and ‘with all our power and efforts’, as the authors of the Federal Pact of 1291 wrote, and we look forward to continuing it in the very same spirit in the years to come.
Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for your attention.”
The Guest of Honour, Minister Tibor Navracsics, representing the Hungarian Government, extended warm wishes on the Swiss National Day and expressed his profound appreciation for the exemplary cooperation between Switzerland and Hungary. He praised the Swiss-Hungarian Cooperation Programme, which is part of the Swiss Contribution Framework. In the current second funding period, the total amount of support to be granted by the Swiss side for a period of 10 years is around CHF 1.3 billion. Hungary’s share from this framework is CHF 87.60 million. This support is dedicated to addressing economic and social inequalities in Hungarian society. The Swiss Fund supports key areas in Hungary, including vocational and professional education, research and innovation, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, migration management, energy efficiency, water and wastewater management, health and social protection, and support for minorities and disadvantaged groups. These sectors are aligned with Hungary’s development priorities and aim to strengthen bilateral relations. Minister Navracsics expressed gratitude to Ambassador Jean-François Paroz for the invitation and recognized the event as an opportunity to reflect on past achievements and look forward to future progress. He concluded by expressing optimism for the future, and being confident that continued collaboration will bring even greater results. He thanked everyone for their commitment to advancing this valued partnership.
“Now, let us celebrate the friendship between our nations.” – Ambassador Paroz remarked at the end of the official proceedings. “I would like to extend my gratitude to our sponsors and kindly invite you all to enjoy the finest Swiss food and wines.”
The guests were treated to a memorable reception that showcased the best of Swiss gastronomy. A wide variety of renowned Swiss specialties was served, highlighting the nation’s culinary excellence. Among the offerings were an assortment of high-quality cheeses, including the beloved raclette, which proved to be a crowd favourite. Guests also enjoyed an array of homemade, healthy fruit and vegetable juices, providing a refreshing complement to the rich flavours of the meal. Of course, no Swiss celebration would be complete without its world-famous chocolates, which added a sweet touch to the event.
The reception was further enhanced by live music, creating a lively and enjoyable atmosphere that resonated with the attendees. The music, paired with the delicious food, friendly ambiance and warm summer weather, made for an unforgettable experience. Guests lingered, savouring the flavours and festive spirit, and many praised the event’s impeccable organization and welcoming environment. It was a true celebration of Swiss history and culture, and left a lasting impression on all who attended.
Source: Swiss Embassy in Budapest
Photos by the Swiss Embassy in Budapest and DPA
75th Anniversary of the Council of Europe and Welcoming a New Leadership
Warm congratulations to Alain Berset, former Federal Councillor and President of Switzerland, on his election as the new Secretary General of the Council of Europe! As the first Swiss citizen to hold this prestigious position, Berset’s election is a significant milestone and a historic achievement for both him and Switzerland.
On 25 June 2024, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) elected Alain Berset. In the second round of voting, he secured a majority over his competitors Indrek Saar of Estonia and Didier Reynders of Belgium.
As the new Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset officially began his five-year term on 18 September 2024.
Mr. Berset is succeeding Marija Pejčinović Burić, who had held the position since June 2019. Pejčinović Burić, a former Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, brought her extensive expertise in diplomacy and European affairs to the role, steering the Council through significant developments during her tenure.
A prominent figure in Swiss politics, Alain Berset concluded his tenure as President of Switzerland at the end of December 2023. His decision to step down after five years of service paved the way for his candidacy to the Council of Europe. Berset’s distinguished career includes significant public service, such as his membership in the Swiss Government from 2012 to 2023, during which he served as President of the Confederation twice, in 2018 and 2023. He headed the Federal Department of Home Affairs, focusing on key social policies. Before joining the government, Berset was a member of the Swiss Federal Parliament from 2003 to 2011 and chaired the Council of States, Switzerland’s upper house from 2008 to 2009.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Strasbourg, France, the Council of Europe is dedicated to promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in its 46 member states. In 2024, as the Council celebrates its 75th anniversary, the election of Alain Berset as its 15th Secretary General brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this pivotal assignment, which is traditionally held by individuals with extensive backgrounds in international relations and political leadership.
Source: Council of Europe – coe.int
Photos from the Council of Europe – coe.int
