The State Secretary welcomes the new Ambassador of Switzerland on an accreditation visit

On 18 August 2021, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andris Pelšs, met with the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Swiss Confederation, Martin Xavier Michelet, who had arrived on an accreditation visit.

The State Secretary congratulated the Ambassador on taking up his new post and he underlined the importance of Switzerland as a partner, with the two countries sustaining an active and constructive political dialogue. Latvia and Switzerland have a long-standing historical link, and Andris Pelšs recalled with satisfaction an official visit to Latvia by the Foreign Minister of Switzerland, Ignazio Cassis, earlier this year, which marks the centenary since Switzerland recognised Latvia de jure and three decades since the restoration of their diplomatic relations.

The diplomats were in agreement about the need to continue economic cooperation and they noted the special potential of high technologies.

The officials also discussed the relationship between the European Union and Switzerland, and State Secretary Pelšs underlined the importance of Switzerland as a partner to the EU not only at the bilateral but also international level. Therefore, close relationship between the EU and Switzerland have always been in Latvia’s interests.  While respecting Switzerland’s decision to terminate the negotiations of the EU-Swiss Institutional Framework Agreement, the State Secretary still expressed hope that a mutually acceptable solution will be found, which would also facilitate a constructive political dialogue and active economic cooperation in future.

Andris Pelšs also thanked Switzerland for projects implemented with Swiss support and funding under the Latvian-Swiss Cooperation Programme and he confirmed interest in a continued cooperation.