President Viola Amherd to hold talks with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz

Press releases, 13.05.2024

President Viola Amherd will travel to Germany this week for talks with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the state of bilateral relations between Switzerland and Germany and the commitment of both countries to security and prosperity. The meeting with Chancellor Scholz is scheduled for Wednesday, 15 May, and the meeting with President Steinmeier for Thursday, 16 May.

The presidential visit to Berlin will provide an opportunity to discuss at the highest level bilateral and cross-border issues, the ongoing negotiations between Switzerland and the European Union and the continent's political and security order. Other topical international issues such as the situation in the Middle East are also on the agenda. President Amherd will provide an update on preparations for the high-level conference on peace in Ukraine scheduled to take place on the Bürgenstock in mid-June.

Relations between Switzerland and Germany are traditionally good, close and diverse. Around 317,000 German nationals live in Switzerland. The number of Swiss nationals in Germany has also increased in recent years, rising to almost 100,000. France is the only country with more Swiss nationals as residents.

Germany is not only Switzerland's largest neighbour, but also its most important trading partner. With the exception of 2020 when the pandemic struck, the volume of trade has consistently exceeded the CHF 100 billion mark since 2018. In the border region between southern Germany and Switzerland in particular, a common culture, language and cross-border coexistence also underscores the close and longstanding partnership.


Further information:

Bilateral relations Switzerland – Germany


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