Juan David Latorre
The Swiss Embassy celebrated the National Day of the Swiss Confederation on Tuesday, led by Ambassador Hanspeter Mock, in a commemoration attended by ambassadors from all five continents.
The Swiss ambassador began his speech by stressing his country’s relationship with Europe. “Although Switzerland is not a member of the EU,” he said, “the level, diversity and quality of our relations and cooperation are unparalleled and benefit all Europeans.”
With regard to relations with the Spanish State, Hanspeter Mock indicated that “our countries not only maintain excellent relations, but are great partners both in bilateral and European cooperation as well as on a global level”. The ambassador went on to highlight the scientific cooperation between the two countries, with the signing in early July of a memorandum of understanding between the respective Ministries of Science to broaden and deepen “even further our ties in the field of research and innovation. This signature is important because it expands the possibilities for combining our respective talents and ingenuities, which we know are not only many, but complementary.”
“My country celebrates this year the 175th anniversary of its first Constitution,” continued the Swiss Ambassador, “which created a federal state and direct democracy where, as we often say, the citizen always has the last word. This Constitution also brought us enviable political stability, fostering consensus as a factor of social peace and economic development. Our secular neutrality, recognised and regulated by international law, allows us to develop an active policy in favour of promoting peace, the rule of law and the fundamental democratic values of equality, respect for minorities and non-discrimination. Values that we share in Europe, but also because they are universal beyond our continent”.
“They are universal values, yes, but they must be defended,” Hanspeter Mock pointed out, “especially in these troubled times, which is precisely when populism and intolerance – from whichever side they come – tend to thrive.” And the ambassador referred to Spain “in this much-loved Spain: modern, welcoming and proudly democratic because it does not forget the past; a Spain which is chairing the Council of the European Union for the fifth time and which is preparing to hold important general elections.”
Referring to the war in Ukraine, the Swiss ambassador noted the “painful realisation of the resurgence of the use of force to break the established legal order, something we considered unthinkable in Europe and which can even lead to war, as in the case of Russia’s unjustified aggression against Ukraine. In these uncertain times, it is of the utmost importance to defend – together – our principles and values and that is why they are at the centre of our priorities during our current term as a member of the UN Security Council”.
Ambassador Mock concluded by stating that “I firmly believe that Switzerland’s future is inconceivable without that of Europe and that my country, with its own characteristics, has much to contribute to ensure that our continent remains the continent of democracy and peace. My compatriots and I proclaim: “We are Europeans because we are Swiss”.
The reception was attended by a large number of personalities and ambassadors, including those of Moldova, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Morocco, Honduras, Korea, Argentina, Panama, Belgium, Australia, Italy, Slovakia, Andorra, India, Luxembourg, Finland, Israel, Bolivia and the Dominican Republic, among others.
