In Asunción, Mr Cassis met with Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, where he emphasised the positive momentum in bilateral relations between Switzerland and Paraguay and reviewed the state of negotiations on the agreement. The two ministers also exchanged views on the international situation, particularly inter-American dynamics.
First visit to Bolivia by a federal councillor
On 4 February, the head of Swiss diplomacy met with Bolivia's Foreign Minister Celinda Sosa Lunda and President Luis Arce, as part of the first visit by a Swiss Federal Councillor to the country. As the newest member of Mercosur since 2023, Bolivia is not involved in free trade negotiations with EFTA but may join the agreement at a later stage. The talks focused on Mercosur, economic cooperation between Bolivia and Switzerland and other bilateral aspects.
In both Asunción and La Paz, Mr Cassis also met representatives of the Swiss community, including heads of Swiss companies and NGOs based in the two countries. Bilateral relations between Switzerland and Paraguay, as well as between Switzerland and Bolivia, are excellent.
With Bolivia, which is celebrating the 200th anniversary of its independence, these relations are evolving into a more modern form of partnership after 54 years of bilateral development cooperation and many shared achievements. Cooperation will be strengthened in areas such as the economy, democracy, culture, and human rights.
Talks in Brazil focusing on EFTA–Mercosur and current international affairs
Mr Cassis spent the last two days of his trip in Brazil. His first stop on 6 February was Nova Friburgo, a city founded by Swiss emigrants over 200 years ago. While there, Mr Cassis met with local officials and descendants of Swiss emigrants. He inaugurated an exhibition in honour of one of the greatest Swiss explorers and naturalists of the 19th century, whose name – Emílio Goeldi – remains closely associated with the study of Brazilian biodiversity in the Amazon region.
In Rio de Janeiro, Mr Cassis met with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira. The two ministers discussed the EFTA–Mercosur free trade agreement and want to work together to conclude the negotiations as soon as possible.. Global geopolitical issues were also raised, particularly the challenges that international organisations have to face and the bloc logic that influences international relations. Brazil will chair the BRICS+ group of countries in 2025.
Relations between Switzerland and Brazil have intensified considerably in recent years in terms of political, economic and scientific exchange. Brazil is Switzerland's most important trading partner in Latin America, and Switzerland is currently one of the five most important investors in Brazil. Their relations flourished in 2024, marked by Switzerland being invited to the G20 – chaired by Brazil last year – and around 30 visits at all levels.
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