Excellencies,
Dear Honorary Consul U Kyaw Tin,
Dear Fellow Swiss,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Myanmar is on an important journey – a journey to democracy, human rights and prosperity. On this important but still long and difficult way, Switzerland wants to be at your side, to support and encourage you – as good friends do.
The present moment has a very special meaning: by the decision of the Governments of Switzerland and of Myanmar, this building is receiving a new status. It will embody the relations between our two Nations. It will stand as a powerful tool of cooperation, an open door of hope between our countries, and a beacon of friendship.
Hope for a bright future for this country. And testimony of an old and renewed friendship between our peoples.
We will cut the ribbon, open this door of hope, inaugurate this beacon of friendship. I may say this will be a small gesture for two men, but a big gesture for two Nations.
Ladies and gentlemen, yes: Hope! Hope because today there are still difficulties as well as both human and political problems in Myanmar.
And Switzerland expresses its serious concern at the latest outbreaks of violence between communities in Rakhine State. We call on all parties for an immediate end to the violence, urging the authorities to take all necessary action to protect civilians without delay.
But in this country, hope is also present because there are very encouraging movements in terms democratization, economic and social development, reconciliation and openness.
And yes friendship! An old friendship. Our diplomatic relations date back to 1956 – 56 years. Switzerland wants to underline with today’s opening its continuing support for Myanmar’s work – the work that has been done so far and the work that still remains to be done. This is a long and sometimes difficult path, everybody knows this. We must see and discuss the bright sides and the difficulties – as friends do. And as a friend, Switzerland wants to be at the side of Myanmar and support this country in this important process.
This House of Switzerland is also a sign of our respect: with this opening, Switzerland acknowledges the excellent and positive steps taken during the past few years and months towards a more-and-more democratic State in Myanmar. And we are convinced that the implementation of democracy will also bring stability and prosperity, as it did in Switzerland 160 years ago.
This new Embassy will also remain the headquarters of an important humanitarian aid and development programme of the Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency for Myanmar.
Yesterday I had the pleasure to inform the government of Myanmar that Switzerland has decided to increase its development cooperation and humanitarian aid with Myanmar substantially over the next years: now Switzerland invests nearly 8 million dollars in humanitarian aid and 3,5 in development cooperation. These 11 million will be increased to 20 million next year and reach up to 35 million at the end of the period 2013-2016.
The future Cooperation Strategy will focus on four thematic areas:
- Jobs (employment and vocational training)
- Health (health and social inclusion)
- Food (agriculture and food security)
- Peace (peace support and human rights)
This new Embassy, this powerful tool, will also allow us to develop political, economic, cultural and social exchanges and dialogues. The Swiss federal Council is convinced that the potential of cooperation between our two nations is enormous and that it will be immensely increased thanks to this New Embassy.
Therefore, this house also stands for all the future opportunities. It will act as a catalyst of friendship and opportunities.
And we hope that this new building will soon become too small, because of all those numerous new opportunities.
Dear fellow Swiss,
Our country is already extremely well represented in the whole country, by you, all the Swiss living in Myanmar, studying its beautiful cultures or sharing your own skills with the people. You contribute enormously to the friendship between our countries. This house is also for all of you. It will be a place where you can find assistance if needed. It will be a place where you find an open door when you need contacts to develop relations between our two countries. It is also a place where you can bring your ideas and support the efforts in order to develop our cooperation with Myanmar. So don’t hesitate!
Let me also express my special thanks and personal wishes for a special friend of Switzerland. Mr. U Kyaw Tin, here present. You have exerted with utmost dedication and competence the function of Honorary Consul of Switzerland. On this beautiful day, I would like to express to you all the appreciation and the gratitude of the Swiss Federal Council.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The opening of this new Embassy is also a clear sign of the importance of Myanmar and of Asia in the foreign policy of Switzerland.
We want to develop our contacts, our partnerships and our diplomatic network in this part of the world.
And as a beacon of stability in an unstable World and Continent, we think that Switzerland can bring something valuable in this relation with Asia. We will start to deepen and strengthen those relations as of next Monday by becoming a full member of the Asian Europe Meeting at the Summit of Vientiane.
Switzerland wants to be present in Asia, to increase bilateral exchanges and to dialogue. We also would like to express solidarity, responsibility and friendship.
Let me reiterate the gratitude of the Swiss government to the government of Myanmar for its support in the preparation of the opening of this Embassy. Let me also tell my gratitude to all those who worked to make it possible in such a short time. Let me express my warmest wishes to all those who will work for our bilateral relations and for our engagement in Myanmar.
On this important day – a day of friendship - I am happy to announce that we have decided to present a special gift to Myanmar – a tangible sign on the occasion of the opening of the Embassy. This is a double sign which combines our admiration for the past and our support for the future of your beautiful country:
- First, we want to pay tribute to the past of Myanmar and to its contribution to the world cultural heritage. Switzerland has decided to support (with 110,000 US dollars) a UNESCO-led program aimed at capacity building for a successful bid of the breathtaking landmark of Bagan as a World Heritage Site.
- And secondly, we want to contribute to the future of this country. We invite Myanmar to send, each year over the coming years, fifteen high-qualified young professionals to Switzerland: diplomats, members of Parliament, parliamentary assistants, or other young civil servants. During several weeks we will train them in areas where Switzerland has internationally recognized competences, like Federalism, Democracy, International Humanitarian Law, or Rule of Law.
With this double sign, Switzerland wants to plant a tree, a tree of friendship and of hope which will grow bigger and bigger in the coming years.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,
It is now time to open this Embassy, a tool of cooperation, a door of hope, and a beacon of friendship!
Thank you.