Parliament Speaker of Switzerland Opens New Swiss Embassy Building in Tbilisi

Exclusive interview

Parliament Speaker of Switzerland, Marina Carobbio Guscetti, came to Georgia to inaugurate the new building of the Swiss Embassy in Tbilisi, which brings together the various Swiss players under one roof. The new Embassy represents Switzerland’s commitment to consolidating their presence in Georgia and to further strengthening the partnership between the two countries.

“My visit is part of the regular exchanges between our two parliaments,” she told GEORGIA TODAY. “One of my predecessors, Christa Markwalder, was here in 2016 and the former Chairperson Irakli Kobakhidze visited Switzerland last year. I hope that cooperation between our parliaments will further deepen and expand in the next years, as part of the already excellent relations between our countries.”

Could you share with us your take on Swiss- Georgian relations?

Our relations are excellent, and they stretch back as far as the 19th century when Swiss farmers settled in Georgia and brought Swiss expertise of cheese making to the region. Switzerland and Georgia have a great deal in common. We are both small countries with robust mountainous mentalities and traditions. Because of our strategic locations, we are both important transport and logistics hubs. We also have similar concerns in the international arena: as small countries, we are in favor of a stable and reliable order based on international law.

Today, around 35 Swiss companies are operating in Georgia. They can rely on a solid set of conditions, with agreements on free trade, the promotion and protection of investment, and the protection of geographical indications.

This year, bilateral trade increased by 19% in comparison with 2017, and there certainly is further growth potential. On the academic level, there is a growing interest in exchanges, as shown by the recently concluded agreements between Swiss and Georgian universities.

Another sector that may bring us closer is tourism, where my country can share a lot in terms of human skills and sustainable infrastructure development. I was pleased to learn that there are Swiss trains operating between Tbilisi and Batumi; why not bring these trains to Stepantsminda, Mestia or Telavi in the future? In Switzerland, we decided in 1992 to build new railway connections across the Alps, with the longest railway tunnel in the world of 57 km; we had to wait until 2016 to see its opening, but now the whole of Europe can benefit from it.

The consolidation of Switzerland’s presence in Georgia also means that we will continue our efforts to assist the Georgian population on the path to inclusive social and economic development, and to promote peace and stability in the region. Already in the early 90s, Switzerland was among the first countries to provide humanitarian aid to Georgia. Since then, we have actively pursued our cooperation program to foster economic growth, the sustainable use of natural resources, education, women’s economic empowerment, and good governance. In these areas, Switzerland is one of the largest per capita donors.

What about the role of Switzerland as a mediating party in the Georgia and Russia conundrum?

As part of its Good Offices, Switzerland represents Russia's interests in Georgia and Georgia's interests in Russia, in the absence of diplomatic relations between them. We also act as a mediator and facilitator, for example in the implementation of the Customs Monitoring Agreement. And, in the framework of our Human Security program, we contribute to confidence building and dialogue in the region.

In the end, it boils down to one simple point: we want to improve the lives of the persons who are affected by this situation. Establishing direct channels of communication is one of the key elements in that regard. I am particularly pleased that Switzerland was able to initiate and facilitate the first meeting between the ministers of foreign affairs of Georgia and Russia since 12 years.

Dialogue is always better than conflict, but is there any way to recharge the increasingly stalling and ineffective Geneva Talks?

Indeed - dialogue is always better than conflict, and we mean it. In the last two decades, Switzerland took part in 20 peace mediation processes in 15 countries and regions. These have included several peace treaties that brought an end to civil wars. There are currently two important formats of dialogue related to the relations between Georgia and Russia: The Geneva International Discussions and the Abashidze-Karasin meetings. Even though Switzerland is not part of these formats, we welcome them because direct channels of communication are essential to solve issues of common interest. It takes time, effort and patience. To engage in a dialogue does not mean to agree. It is not a sign of weakness. On the contrary, diplomacy and dialogue are needed most when circumstances are challenging.

In 2020, Georgia will have parliamentary elections, for the first time with a 0% passing threshold. Do you have any advice for your Georgian colleagues?

I was very pleased to learn about the recent evolution of Georgia’s democratic system into a parliamentary democracy, and about the planned introduction of a fully proportional electoral system. I hope these changes will lead to an adequate representation of the different stakeholders of society within parliament, and thus contribute to the evolution of a sustainable, strong democracy in Georgia.

More generally, I wish to stress the importance of developing a culture of political dialogue based on respect. As Switzerland’s experience shows, constructive compromise is not a weakness but a strength. Politics must revolve around the contest of ideas and not focus on competition between individuals.

Since every now and then the idea of ‘Swiss know-how of neutrality’ resurfaces as a role model for Georgia, what is your take on it? Can a poor country with no finances or army to speak of, and with territorial conflicts to boot, entertain ideas of possible neutrality?

The Swiss model of neutrality is the fruit of unique historical evolutions, and cannot be exported as such. I can only stress that, in my view, there are three important prerequisites for a successful development of a country: regional peace and security, internal political stability with strong democratic institutions and an excellent education system. As far as these aspects are concerned, Switzerland is committed to strengthening its support to Georgia in the future.

By Vazha Tavberidze