President Čaputová arrived in Bern on Thursday 19 May 2022 for her state visit to the Swiss Federation. 

This is the first time that a Slovak head of the state has travelled to Switzerland for a state visit. “I would like to thank President Ignazio Cassis and the members of the government for their warm reception. I have come with a large delegation of experts, which includes representatives of Slovak universities, research institutions and innovative companies. They are here to start new cooperation in the fields of research, green transition, low-emission technologies, renewable resources and circular economy.”

According to President Čaputová, our countries face similar challenges – the consequences of the pandemic, climate change, the energy crisis and Russia’s  invasion of Ukraine.  “Although Switzerland is not a member of the EU or NATO, we are connected by many bonds and common values. The Swiss highly appreciate our solidarity with Ukraine. It reminds them of 1968, when Switzerland accepted more than 13,000 Czechs and Slovaks who fled Soviet occupation. In the case of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Switzerland joined the EU sanctions for the first time, in the spirit of the statement of President Cassis that neutrality does not mean ignorance.”

Three extremely interesting and very productive days for Slovakia await the president in Bern, Zürich and Geneva.