Kuwait city: Ambassador of Switzerland to Kuwait Tiziano Balmelli announced that the upcoming visit of Swiss President Guy Parmelin to Kuwait will signify a landmark moment in the bilateral relations between the two countries.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Ambassador Balmelli emphasized that this visit is the first and most significant event commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Switzerland and Kuwait. He expressed pride in the visit occurring at the highest level.
The visit aims to honor the longstanding friendship between the two nations, with Kuwaitis being among the earliest from the Gulf region to engage with Switzerland as far back as the 1930s. The ambassador anticipates that the visit will further strengthen and expand bilateral relations across various fields.
Balmelli highlighted shared values between Switzerland and Kuwait, such as promoting dialogue and peace, and humanitarian work, which are significant to both nations and the international community. He recalled an agreement signed in Bern last May on humanitarian aid and development cooperation, focusing on joint efforts to support those in need. The initial project under this agreement targets assistance for civilians affected by the war in Sudan, with additional projects under consideration.
Economic cooperation is another focal point, with both sides eager to enhance bilateral trade and investment. While the private sector leads these efforts, high-level visits like this one serve to boost motivation and ambition. The President's visit coincides with the first Swiss-Kuwaiti business days in Kuwait, bringing together around 14 Swiss companies and the "Switzerland Travel Experience" event with more than 20 Swiss tourism operators.
Balmelli welcomed Kuwait Airways' announcement of three weekly direct flights to Zurich starting in June, alongside existing flights to Geneva, as a significant development that strengthens bilateral relations and supports further cooperation.
The ambassador praised Kuwait as a constructive regional partner, commending its policy of peace and dialogue. He concluded by expressing confidence in the future of Swiss-Kuwaiti relations, noting that strong people-to-people ties and generations of Kuwaiti families with deep connections to Switzerland form the true foundation of their longstanding friendship.