Viola Amherd: Despite the Geographical Distance, Democratic Values Bring Mongolia and Switzerland Closer Together

Ulaanbaatar, August 2, 2024 /MONTSAME/. After holding a tête-à-tête, President of Mongolia H.E. Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and President of the Swiss Confederation H.E. Viola Amherd held a press briefing.

President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd said, “I am overjoyed to have arrived in Mongolia today. It is true, but difficult to believe, this is the first State Visit from Switzerland to Mongolia after many years of close cooperation. I am delighted and have the utmost respect for this visit, for its momentous importance in the history of relations between Mongolia and Switzerland.

This Visit commemorates the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Swiss Confederation and Mongolia and the 20 years of success of the Swiss Cooperation Office and Consular Agency in Mongolia. At the same time, we are looking into the future, and giving significance to defining the relations between the two countries for the times to come.

With this goal in mind, we signed a Joint Declaration between Mongolia and the Swiss Confederation and a Memorandum of Understanding on Democracy between Mongolia and the Swiss Confederation. It is essential for Switzerland to counter and halt the “Backsliding of Democracy Worldwide” as warned by the United Nations. We are actively developing political and legal relations, and we are successfully implementing many projects and programs in health, trade, and humanity.

Switzerland and Mongolia have similar positions on many issues of international relations. Namely, we are committed to abolishing the death penalty worldwide. Ensuring peace and security is one of the pillars of Switzerland’s foreign policy. With regard to this, I greatly value Mongolia’s efforts to pursue peace and stability, particularly its contributions to the United Nations’ peacekeeping operations. Although Switzerland and Mongolia are far apart geographically, democratic values, the rule of law, and joint efforts on the international stage bring us closer. We affirmed our commitment to further consolidating our friendship and bringing to fruition our future opportunities."