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.  

One hundred new places for children between 2.5 and 6 years are created. This has been achieved with the support of the local municipality and the project “Strengthening Voice and Accountability" funded by the Government of Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by the Development Policy Institute.

The Swiss-funded project allocated 1 million soms and the local municipality contributed 100 thousand soms to renovate and equip the kindergarten with furniture, kitchen equipment, blankets, office equipment and music instruments. This is the result of a local community initiative, which was selected under the Small Grants Program of the project.

The municipality of Aleksandrovka cooperates with this project to adopt a participatory budgetary process, which allows for better alignment of the budget on the needs of the population and greater accountability of the municipality towards the population. Indeed, residents of the municipality are involved in local decision-making and in monitoring budget execution.

The head of the community monitoring group Raziya Livaza said: “It is as if a dream came true! Now we are confident that all issues can be solved through our active participation and through the joint efforts of the residents and the municipality. Our voices are heard when local budget expenditures are discussed. The local administration and local council members respond to our needs and solve our priorities.”

“As a representative of the Swiss Government, I am pleased to hear that the inhabitants of the municipality could enter in a constructive dialogue with the municipality to decide on their priorities and select this project. Participation of citizens in decision making is essential for effective, efficient and accountable governance. Furthermore, the project has enabled the village to open its first kindergarten!” - said Véronique Hulmann, Ambassador of Switzerland to the Kyrgyz Republic.