Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter attends 2017 New Year reception

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Didier Burkhalter at the 2017 New Year reception in Bern. ©

Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will also attend the New Year's reception of President of the Swiss Confederation Doris Leuthard on Wednesday, 11 January 2017.

In accordance with the Swiss Confederation’s protocol regulations, in mid-January the dean of the diplomatic corps extends New Year’s greetings to the Swiss president at the Federal Palace. The Swiss president returns the greetings on behalf of the Federal Council in an address to the diplomatic corps accredited to Switzerland.

The ceremony is attended by the ambassadors, chargés d'affaires, presidents of the National Council and Council of States, chairs of both councils’ foreign affairs committees and the head of the FDFA. Prior to this, the Swiss government accepts greetings from the authorities in Bern (the Canton, City and ‘Burgergemeinde’ of Bern).