Dear Swiss Abroad

I am delighted that you have gathered today for our national holiday. 

 Wherever you live: 

• You are an important and an indispensable part of our country.  

The Swiss abroad – if all seven hundred and fifty two thousand (752,000) of you were in one canton – would represent the third largest in Switzerland, after Zurich and Bern and ahead of Vaud. 

This most diverse of all cantons stretches

• from Ireland to India,

• from Korea to Kyrgyzstan, 

• from Greenland to Ghana. 

But what unites you all is your very special view of Switzerland. 

• It is a perspective of intimate distance.

• An eye for the essentials. 

You know how much Switzerland stands for international stability - which can also be seen in the strength of the Swiss franc. 

And you know that our country is seen as open-minded, which is also thanks to you

• the unofficial ambassadors of our country.  

International relations

Dear Swiss Abroad

Switzerland is committed to fairness and mutual respect in our international relations. 

States are not only our competitors, but also our partners.

• That is sometimes questioned today.

• However, we can’t allow this to mislead us.

• Because Switzerland, as a small country, is dependent on rules-based international relations.

• Our country stands by these rules.

• Not least because of International Geneva, where the UN has its European headquarters as well as the World Trade Organization. 

EU - Europe

Dear Swiss Abroad,

Relations with the EU are particularly important. The EU is our most important trading partner. 

Indeed, it is in the interest of both sides to have good relations.

• That is of course important for everyone

• Who lives in an EU country. 

We live on a continent at peace.

Despite all the problems with the euro and migration we must not forget: Europe is doing better than ever before.

In this regard, European integration played a decisive role.

We must do everything we can for a political commitment to peace and security and regulated trade relations. 

Because such a commitment also strengthens Switzerland.

• A country of stability,

• Which is dependent on stable international relations.

You, too, dear Swiss Abroad, strengthen our country, 

• by making self-assured and energetic contributions 

• with your experience, knowledge and ideas.   

I wish you all a happy First of August.  

The “Francophonie Week” is the festival of the French language and cultures of the French-speaking countries, which is celebrated in the middle of March across the world. The organizers have prepared a program for the broad public to show the linguistic and cultural diversity of the French-speaking countries.

French is the fifth language spoken in the world and the third language for business. French is an official language in 29 countries and there are more than 274 million Francophones or French speakers worldwide.

The Francophonie week will be launched in Bishkek on March 12 with the French movie “Le sens de la fête” to be screened at 18:00 at the “Ala-Too” cinema.

The Belgian movie “Je suis mort mais j’ai des amis” (I’m dead but I have friends) will be shown on March 14 at 17:00 and the Canadian film “Maïna” at 19:00 at the Academy of Tourism (99 Chui avenue).

The Swiss animation film “Ma vie de Courgette” (My life as a Zucchini) will be screened on March 17 at 18:00 at the "Rossiya" cinema. All films are in French with Russian subtitles.

The Francophonie program will have 19 events during 6 days consisting of sport, cultural and artistic activities, such as competition of French songs, the French game "Petanque", and a quiz night, and many other events.

There will also be conferences on education in the French speaking countries (March 14 at 2pm in the Alliance française 242 Ogonbaeva street) as well as on the “Erasmus plus” programme in Europe (March 16 at 2 pm, same address).

All interested people are welcome to join.

The detailed program is presented online on the Facebook pages of the “Alliance française de Bichkek”, the “Ambassade de France au Kirghizstan”, “Swiss Embassy Kyrgyzstan” as well as on the website of the French Embassy.