President Didier Burkhalter was received by the Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski for an official presidential visit, equivalent to a state visit in Switzerland. Switzerland and Poland agreed on a joint declaration to strengthen bilateral relations.
State visit to Poland
Monday, 27.01.2014 Tuesday, 28.01.2014
State visit; State visit
Wednesday, 22.01.2014 Saturday, 25.01.2014
The 44th World Economic Forum is taking place in Davos. President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter opened the international economic gathering with a speech.
Location: Davos
In his opening speech at the 44th World Economic Forum, the president of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, welcomed all those participating in the economic gathering.
He emphasised Switzerland’s willingness to take on its role and responsibility to turn its mind to shaping and preparing for the world of tomorrow.
The Swiss president enumerated the many challenges that lie ahead:
- Security, stability and peace
- The environment, the climate, access to water and food
- Transport, energy, life in the cities of the future
- Health, especially in terms of the ever-aging population in many countries
Regarding the Syria conference in Montreux, Mr Burkhalter was emphatic that Switzerland would continue to make its good offices available and fulfil its role as mediator. In his speech, Mr Burkhalter also addressed the issue of youth employment and highlighted Switzerland’s long tradition of dual vocational education and training. Switzerland, he said, would like to contribute in this area, for example through partnership projects in different countries.