Official opening of the Swiss embassy in Qatar
Bern, 04.04.2013 - In the presence of the President of the Council of States, Filippo Lombardi, the new Swiss embassy was inaugurated in an official ceremony on 3 April in the Qatari capital Doha. Switzerland is recognising Qatar's growing political and economic role and is thus honouring 40 years of bilateral relations.
Switzerland and Qatar established diplomatic relations in 1973, shortly after the emirate gained independence. Relations between the two countries have continuously intensified in recent years.
Last year, the bilateral trading volume reached a peak level of CHF 816.5 million, making Qatar Switzerland's fifth-largest trading partner in the Middle East and North African region. The number of Swiss nationals in Qatar is also rising continuously.
In addition, in recent years Qatar has been able to raise its profile because of its role as a host to numerous international summits and conferences as well as because of its diplomatic mediation efforts.
With the official opening of a new embassy, Switzerland is giving due recognition to Qatar's growing importance and is thereby also strengthening its network of representations in the Arab Gulf states.
The President of the Council of States, Filippo Lombardi, was received by the President of the Qatari Shura Council, Mohamed Bin Mubarak al-Kholaifi. They discussed bilateral as well as regional issues. During a courtesy meeting with the Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani, Mr Lombardi spoke with him about economic and trade relations. The Swiss delegation was then received by the Emir of Qatar, HRH Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and discussed concrete possibilities for cooperation in various areas between Switzerland and Qatar.
Address for enquiries
FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA
Publisher
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html
