Doris Leuthard: Switzerland Will Continue Defusing Georgia-Russia Relations

The President of the Swiss Confederation, Doris Leuthard said that Switzerland will continue defusing Georgia-Russia relations and promote dialogue between the two countries.

Leuthard made the statement during her visit to Georgia, after meeting Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili.

“This is a very important task for us. We will continue to be of service to Georgia in the future and, naturally, we will try to resolve Georgia-Russia relations,” she stated at the press-conference on December 4.

The President of the Swiss Confederation underlined the importance of Swiss Cooperation Strategy for South Caucasus 2017–2020.

“Swiss Cooperation Strategy for South Caucasus 2017–2020, aside economic development, should also be oriented to sustainable development, whilst not ignoring the ecological component. We should further support development of democratic institutions and security of the entire region, where, like in Switzerland, peace and human rights are guaranteed at the highest level,” she stated.

Doris Leuthard noted that free trade agreement between Georgia and Switzerland will take effect in the beginning of next year.

“I hope that many Swiss investors will be attracted to Georgia and the Georgian market,” she added.

According to President Leuthard, Georgia and Switzerland celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations this year, and over this period Switzerland has constantly been assisting Georgia in implementing and developing democracy.

“Switzerland is pleased to see that the environment in Georgia has been significantly improved. I would like to congratulate Mr. President and members of the Government on your country’s development. Of course, what you have achieved is noteworthy,” the president said.

Georgia’s Margvelashvili thanked his Swiss counterpart for paying a visit to Georgia.

As he noted, Georgia places great importance on active cooperation with Switzerland, a country that has been strongly supporting Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity for years, and played an important role in Georgia-Russia relations in terms of promoting dialogue in the absence of diplomatic relations.

“I would like to highlight the positive dynamics of our cooperation. I hope that we will provide a better future for our communities in the context of these positive dynamics,” Margvelashvili said.

Georgia-Switzerland economic relations, prospects of realization of Georgia’s investment potential and importance of Switzerland’s financial aid have been major topics raised at the extended meeting of the parties, which was attended by the cabinet members and governmental officials.

Switzerland's contribution to Georgia’s development was underlined at the meeting. As noted, Switzerland’s investment in Georgia in the two quarters of 2017 amounts to 7.23 million US dollars. Since 1998, Switzerland's financial aid to Georgia has reached 110 million Swiss francs.

With President Doris Leuthard we discussed Russian occupation, Switzerland's support of #Georgia's sovereignty; Economic relations - Georgia's investment potential. Also Importance of International Community's Joint strategy about peace in the Region. pic.twitter.com/Y7qWm7VeSS

— President Of Georgia (@MargvelashviliG) December 4, 2017

By Thea Morrison