First day of the state visit of the President of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev

The President of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev, and his wife arrived this morning at Zurich airport, where they were met by the President of the Confederation, Hans-Rudolf Merz, and his wife, accompanied by the Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Micheline Calmy-Rey, the Federal Chancellor, Corina Casanova, and the President of the Cantonal Government of Zurich, Regine Aeppli. Following the military honours, the two delegations travelled by train to the Lohn Manor, near Bern, where they were joined by the other members of the Federal Council and their spouses for the official reception.

At the talks that took place in the afternoon in Bern, President Medvedev and a delegation of the Federal Council discussed bilateral relations, events in the Caucasus, the world economic situation and the main issues of the G20 meeting, future security in Europe, as well as questions concerning disarmament. At the conclusion of the talks, co-operation agreements were signed on visas, repatriation, aid in cases of disaster, and a memorandum on sport.

On the second day of the state visit, the President of the Confederation will take his guest on a tour of Central Switzerland which will include places linked with historical events involving Switzerland and Russia.

Further information:

FDFA special webpage on the State visit: Speeches and Fact Sheets on signed agreements
FDF special webpage on the State visit

Address for enquiries:

André Simonazzi, Spokesperson of the Federal Council, +41 (0)31 322 37 03

Publisher:

Federal Chancellery
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Federal Department of Finance