On Wednesday, 6 November 2024, President Petr Pavel and Eva Pavlova continued their visit to Switzerland at the invitation of President Viola Amherd, who welcomed the presidential couple on Tuesday morning at Zurich Airport.
The joint programme began with an informal meeting with Czechs working at ETH Zurich, one of the most prestigious universities in the world, the opening of a business forum with the participation of the business delegation accompanying him on the trip and a tour of the biomechanics of movement laboratory. In the afternoon, the presidential couple and the President of the Swiss Confederation travelled by special train to Spiez, where they visited the Spiez Laboratory, a federal institute specialising in protection against nuclear, chemical and biological threats. On the same day, the delegation moved on to Thun, where a tour of the Armasuisse agency, which focuses on research and innovation in the field of advanced defence systems, was arranged.
Wednesday's official programme began with the President of the Republic addressing a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of the Swiss Confederation. This was followed by the planting of the Terezín Children's Tree and a meeting with compatriots at the Embassy of the Czech Republic, where the presidential couple was welcomed by Tomáš Jan Podivínský, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
"Switzerland is one of our good partners. We share the same values, we cooperate in industry and trade, research, culture and many other areas. We have a long tradition of friendly relations with Switzerland. And today I would like to remind you that you, our compatriots, are clearly to blame for this. I would like to thank you very much for not forgetting or neglecting the Czech Republic in your new homeland. For taking care of our native language and the culture that you or your ancestors brought to Switzerland," said President Pavel during the meeting.
In the afternoon, the President of the Republic and Mrs Eva Pavlova had an official meeting with President Viola Amherd. The programme continued with an official welcome ceremony at the Federal Square, a visit to the Federal Council headquarters, where speeches were made by both heads of state, and a meeting of the delegations at the Bernerhof. In addition to President Paul and President Amherd, the meeting was attended by Guy Parmelin, Minister of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, Ignazio Cassis, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Albert Rösti, Minister of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, and Beat Jans, Minister of Justice and Police.
President Pavel met with businessmen at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in the afternoon z companies focused on pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and science.
"Switzerland is not an easy territory, yet many companies have managed to establish themselves and make a name for themselves. We are not a leader like Switzerland, yet we have a lot to offer in many areas. Strengthening research is the only way to make the Czech Republic and the EU competitive," said President Pavel.
At the end of the official visit, a dinner given by the Federal Government in honour of the state visit of the President of the Republic and Mrs Eva Pavlova to the Swiss Confederation will take place.
Castle.cz/ gnews - RoZ
PHOTO - Tomas Fongus
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