The talks with the future EU Council presidency will focus on the ongoing negotiations between Switzerland and the EU. The high-level conference on peace in Ukraine will be a key topic with regard to the security situation in Europe. President Amherd will set out the aims of the conference from the Swiss perspective.
Talks are also set to cover bilateral cooperation within the framework of Switzerland’s contributions to selected EU member states, including Hungary. Switzerland and Hungary have close historical ties, particularly since taking in around 12,000 refugees following the 1956 uprising. The opportunities and challenges of bilateral economic relations will also be addressed. Switzerland is the fifth largest investor in Hungary and the 900 or so Swiss companies represented in the country have generated almost 30,000 jobs. The volume of trade amounts to CHF 2.6 billion.
The programme of the presidential visit also includes a speech at Andrássy University to students and members of the international and Swiss communities in Budapest. Ms Amherd will speak about Switzerland's situation in Europe and the outlook for the continent – also against the backdrop of Russia’s war against Ukraine and increasing authoritarian tendencies in many parts of the world.
Further information:
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Hungary
Address for enquiries:
DDPS Communications
+41 58 464 50 58
kommunikation@gs-vbs.admin.ch
