Inauguration of the new Embassy in Tbilisi

Press releases, 28.10.2019

The Swiss delegation headed by the President of the Swiss Parliament, Mrs. Marina Carobbio Guscetti, visits Georgia to inaugurate the new Embassy of Switzerland in Tbilisi and to hold official meetings with Georgian dignitaries.

The President of the Swiss Parliament and the Chairperson of the Georgian Parliament cut the ribbon in front of the new Embassy Building
The President of the Swiss Parliament, Marina Carobbio Guscetti and the Chairperson of the Georgian Parliament, Archil Talakvadze, cut the ribbon in front of the new Embassy Building ©Embassy of Switzerland in Georgia

The Inauguration of the new Embassy building

Today, on 28 October, at 13:00, the new Embassy of Switzerland at Radiani Street, Tbilisi, was officially opened in a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the President of the Swiss Parliament, Mrs. Marina Carobbio Guscetti, and by the Chairperson of the Georgian Parliament, Mr. Archil Talakvadze.

“Switzerland is and will continue to be an honest and reliable partner for Georgia, and to share its values and experiences. Most notably, Switzerland will remain engaged in supporting the consolidation of Georgia's democracy. On the one hand, this implies strong and resilient institutions, and especially a strong parliament fulfilling its task of oversight, as well as an independent judiciary enforcing the respect of the rule of law. On the other hand, beyond the institutional reforms, this implies the development of a culture of political dialogue based on respect, which should allow the inclusion and constructive participation of all layers of society and minorities in the political life,” said Mrs. Carobbio Guscetti.

Meetings with Georgian dignitaries

On 28 October, Mrs. Carobbio Guscetti held a bilateral meeting with the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, Mr. Archil Talakvadze. The parties discussed the bilateral cooperation on different areas, as well as Switzerland’s protecting power mandates for Georgia and Russia. Both sides confirmed their interest in deepening the cooperation, especially at parliamentary level.

In the morning of 28 October, the President of the Swiss Parliament also met with the President of Georgia, H.E. Salome Zurabishvili. The sides confirmed that the relations between Georgia and Switzerland are being developed intensively. Mrs. Carobbio Guscetti confirmed Switzerland’s support to Georgia’s strive towards building a democratic country with solid institutions.

Following the inauguration, the President of the Swiss Parliament will hold bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister of Georgia, Mr. Giorgi Gakharia and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Mr. David Zalkaliani.

The day will be crowned by a charity concert organized by the VIVACE association with support from the Embassy of Switzerland in Georgia. The concert marks the 60th Anniversary of UNICEF Switzerland, the 10th Anniversary of VIVACE and the 30th Anniversary of the Convention of Rights of the Child.

Swiss-supported projects

On the sidelines of her visit, Mrs. Carobbio Guscetti will visit on 29 October the Swiss-funded development projects in the Kvemo Karli region. In Marneuli the Swiss delegation will visit one of the women’s rooms, which were opened to help women, especially ethnic minority and those marginalized, access municipal services and offers.

In Rustavi the Swiss delegation will visit a dairy factory supported within Switzerland’s agriculture project that focuses on poverty reduction of the rural population.

The President of the Swiss Parliament will also attend two events: the launch of a new project that aims at the integration of ethnic minorities in the Georgian society and the closure of the exhibition „Corridors of Conflict: Abkhazia 1989-1995. The archival materials were on display since its opening on 4 October. The exhibition provided unique information about Georgia’s relatively recent past, and encouraged visitors to reflect and interact. Both events will take place on 29 October.