Swiss National Day celebration takes place at the Ambassador’s Residence
Ambassador Ruth Huber addresses over 230 guests and partners at the reception to mark the Swiss National Day – a few days before it’s official date on August 1st
On this year’s celebration of the Swiss National Day representatives from the diplomatic community, the national and local government, as well as civil society and media joined the reception at the Swiss Residence which included a surprise performance on alphorn and the tasting of the traditional raclette.
In her address, Ambassador Huber stressed the significance of the recent Summit on Peace in Ukraine hosted by Switzerland, and the importance of the Geneva Conventions which mark their 75th anniversary.
Ambassador Huber’s full address:
Esteemed Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Members of Parliament, Mayors
Heads of religious communities,
Dear Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps
Dear partners, guests and friends of Switzerland,
A warm welcome to all of you.
Dear fellow Swiss citizens: grüezi mitenand, bienvenus, benvenuti, mirë-se-erdhët!
Our celebration of the national day should in fact be 1st of August, which is the official date. But that would be at the peak of the holiday season and of the hot weather and therefore we host it a little earlier in July, since we want to share it with all of you. And I think we are quite lucky with the conditions tonight
Switzerland and Albania enjoy close and friendly relations. We have good alignment also in our international engagements and foreign policy – as shown clearly during our respective mandates at the UN Security Council.
I would like to highlight two events that stand out from Switzerland during the course of 2024. They also point clearly to some important characteristics and priorities of the Swiss foreign policy:
First is the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, held on the Bürgenstock mountain in central Switzerland in mid-June. The Summit proved to be a valuable, high-level platform for dialogue. It was a first step in the process towards peace, and called for practical steps and action for a lasting peace in Ukraine, based on international law and the United Nations Charter. I would like to express our sincere gratitude that Albania was represented at such high level, with the participation of President Begaj.
The second event I would like to highlight is the anniversaries of the Geneva Conventions. It’s 75 years since the international community adopted the four Geneva Conventions [on 12 August 1949]. And it’s 160 years since the very first Geneva Convention of 22 August 1864.
Why are these conventions important?
We are witnessing a complex global political context. Worldwide there are currently more than 100 wars and conflicts causing unimaginable levels of human suffering.
The Geneva Conventions define rules and limits in situations of conflict, aiming to protect humanity from the impacts of war and to safeguard the life and dignity of every individual.
The Geneva Conventions have been universally ratified and after 75 years, they are more relevant than ever!
I have personally served as a delegate of the International Committee of the Red Cross in different conflict zones and have seen first-hand how the Geneva Conventions can protect innocent civilians.
Therefore, respect for the Geneva Conventions must be a political priority.
Both of these events – the Summit on Peace in Ukraine and the anniversary of the Geneva Conventions – express Switzerland’s unwavering commitment for peace and protection of civilians.
Dear guests,
Let’s now look at Albania: Our Swiss development programme is broad and aims at supporting Albania on its path towards European integration.
As we start preparations for another four-year cooperation programme, it’s good to look at some highlights of our support from this year.
- We are supporting new perspectives for jobs and employment for young people through our longstanding programmes in vocational skills development. This is a high priority for the Albanian government as it affects the whole economy. On top of our contribution to the VET reform in Albania, this year we have intensified our support for Albania’s journey towards dual VET, a modality which is now very high on the Government’s agenda. And we sealed a collaboration with one of the world’s leading hospitality universities: the highly recognized Hospitality Business School in Lausanne, EHL. This will directly have an effect in the growing tourism sector.
- Another highlight is our engagement in the water sector: Switzerland is actually a main supporter of the water sector reform, strengthening water utilities in several municipalities, and investing in water supply and sanitation systems, including in Tirana. Also here, we can make a link to tourism: A booming tourism is unthinkable without reliable water supplies and sanitation services.
- And a final highlight (in this very selective list) is our support to the electoral reform. We just signed an agreement with the Parliament and the Central Elections Commission to improve the key functions of the Parliament. This new phase of an already long-standing partnership will also support electoral legislation and will introduce transparency tools in electoral processes.
These were just a few current examples of our cooperation work. I would like to thank all our partners here for the cooperation in the many other ongoing projects.
Dear guests,
As we are here to celebrate Switzerland’s national day, I particularly congratulate the Swiss business community, the Swiss Club, and all those individuals and organisations who are living links between our two countries. In the words of our current President of the Swiss Confederation, Viola Amherd:
‘By meeting and celebrating the birth of our nation together, you show that, although you have found a new home, you have not forgotten your old one’.
In conclusion, I would like to thank our sponsors of this year: SWISSA – the Swiss-Albanian Chamber of Commerce; TAP – the Trans Adriatic Pipeline; and SICPA.
Special thanks go to Emergency Rescue Albania, ERA, an initiative of the Swiss Foundation for Innovation. You may notice their presence at the back of the building, where an ambulance is on stand-by, just in case it’s needed.
Like every year, we try to bring in some typical Swiss experiences.
I am glad to say that today it’s not just the raclette – which is already a tradition at our National Day celebrations. You will also be able to enjoy a piece of typical Swiss culture – a short performance on alphorn – the most typical Swiss instrument – brought to you (right after my speech) by the professional horn player Mr. Ilir Kodhima from the University of Arts of Tirana.
Now to my fellow Swiss citizens:
Buona festa nazionale!
une bonne fête nationale!
“Es schöns Fest”!
And to all of you: let’s raise a toast, celebrate, and enjoy the evening. Gëzuar festën! Gëzuar!
