Economic cooperation with Latin American countries is of great importance to Switzerland. Along with its EFTA partners, Switzerland is in the final stages of concluding a free trade agreement with the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay). Diversifying access to markets is essential for Swiss companies and for Switzerland's prosperity. This is why the free trade agreement will be at the heart of Mr Cassis' bilateral talks with his counterparts, foreign ministers Celinda Sosa Lunda (Bolivia), Mauro Vieira (Brazil) and Rubén Ramírez Lezcano (Paraguay). Meetings with the Swiss private sector and the Swiss community in the three countries are also on Mr Cassis' agenda.
In addition to economic cooperation, geopolitical dynamics will also be at the forefront of the ministerial meetings, notably with the Brazilian foreign minister. Brazil recently presided over the G20 and is also president of the BRICS+ group in 2025.
Mr Cassis' trip emphasises the importance of Latin America and of the continuing cooperation between Switzerland and the continent's countries, in line with the Americas Strategy 2022-25. Switzerland enjoys strong relations with Latin America, founded on long-standing ties and covering a wide range of areas of cooperation, including the economy, science and innovation, humanitarian aid, environmental protection and cultural exchanges.
In Brazil, Mr Cassis will visit Nova Friburgo, a town founded over 200 years ago by Swiss emigrants.
Further information:
Address for enquiries:
FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA
