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Model OSCE: first round of negotiations in Vienna

Wednesday, 15.01.2014 – Friday, 17.01.2014

Conference; OSCE

The President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, accompanied by a group of young participants in the first round of model OSCE negotiations in Vienna
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, accompanied by a group of young participants in the first round of model OSCE negotiations. FDFA

The first simulation is hold to coincide with the official opening of the Swiss Chairmanship. The Youth Ambassadors kick-off negotiations on their Youth Action Plan and discuss topics they believe should be covered by an OSCE Youth Action Plan.

The Youth Ambassadors negotiate in two different formats – the informal meetings are hold in small groups while the preparatory committees takes place in plenary meetings. The event in Vienna is brought to a close by a simulated Model OSCE Permanent Council.

In addition to negotiating their Youth Action Plan the Youth Ambassadors are given the opportunity to meet with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Didier Burkhalter, Secretary General Lamberto Zannier, and several Heads of Field Operations. They also have the possibility to discuss issues affecting young people with other high-level OSCE representatives.

The Youth Ambassadors want to continue their negotiations on the Model OSCE Youth Action Plan in Belgrade in July 2014.

Speech by the President of the Confederation Didier Burkhalter: “Politics is not just about today. It is also, and most importantly, about tomorrow.” (PDF, Seiten 5, 52.7 kB) (PDF, 5 Pages, 52.7 kB)

Location: Vienna

Monday, 20.01.2014 – Monday, 20.01.2014

State visit

The president of the Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, and the South Korean president Park Geun-Hye.
©

The South Korean president, Park Geun-Hye, was received by the entire Federal Council on the Bundesplatz with military honours. This is the first state visit to Switzerland by a Korean head of state since Switzerland and the Republic of Korea established diplomatic relations in 1963. Switzerland and the Republic of Korea signed several documents.

The president of the Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, and the South Korean president Park Geun-Hye.
On 20 January 2014, Park Geun-Hye, the South Korean president, was welcomed in Bern. @ FDFA ©

The South Korean president, Park Geun-Hye, was received with military honours on the Bundesplatz. The president of the Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, then gave a speech in the Wandelhalle of the House of Parliament. He spoke about the high value Switzerland places on the exchanges between the two countries in particular in the fields of innovation and education: “Innovation is the motor of our two economies and is based on ground-breaking policies in key areas, especially education. Switzerland and South Korea top the list of international leaders in global competitiveness, innovation and quality of life.“

Speech by the president of the Confederation, Didier Burkhalter (fr)

Didier Burkhalter also gave a speech at the Korea-Switzerland Business Forum.

Speech by the president of the Confederation, Didier Burkhalter
  

Fifty years of official bilateral relations

In her speech, the president of the Republic of Korea highlighted the special way in which relations between the two countries began. In 1953, some 100 members of the Swiss Armed Forces arrived in war-torn Korea as part of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission on the inner-Korean border. Switzerland and the Republic of Korea established diplomatic relations ten years later. In 2013, the two countries celebrated 50 years of official bilateral relations.
 

Speech by the president of the Republic of Korea, Park Geun-Hye (PDF, 2 Pages, 29.4 kB)
 

Several official documents signed

During the visit, Switzerland and the Republic of Korea signed several documents with the aim of strengthening bilateral cooperation in the areas of social insurance, the economy, health care and research.

The two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding on institutionalising their political dialogue.
 

List of documents signed during the Korean state visit (PDF, 2 Pages, 104.4 kB)

This is the first state visit to Switzerland by a Korean head of state since Switzerland and the Republic of Korea established diplomatic relations.

Swiss policy on Asia

Strengthening contacts with the Republic of Korea – a leading Asian country – is part of Switzerland’s policy on Asia, which has the following priorities:

  • further develop Switzerland’s bilateral relations with the states of the region
  • enhance Swiss presence in regional forums, and pursue a policy of solidarity with Asian countries

Press release, 20 January 2014

Further information

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Last update 08.01.2020