“Being neutral doesn't mean being indifferent. Switzerland, while maintaining its position of neutrality, immediately condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. He asked Moscow to stop the military aggression immediately and withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory. Let's follow the situation closely ».

Thus the Swiss ambassador to Italy Monika Schmutz Kirgöz who, yesterday in Cagliari, accompanied by the honorary consul Alberto Vespa, and the first secretary of the embassy Julie Meylan, met, during the first official visit outside Rome, the president of the Region Christian Solinas, the prefect Gianfranco Tomao and the mayor Paolo Truzzu. “Every diplomat - he explained - must know the country in which he is located. Starting the cycle of official visits with Sardinia is not a coincidence: it is the third largest region in Italy, it has a special status and many peculiarities ». The ambassador also visited the headquarters of the L'Unione Sarda publishing group, meeting the general manager Lia Serreli and the director of the newspapers Emanuele Dessì.

The war causes a very serious humanitarian emergency. What does Switzerland do?

“We have just decided to increase humanitarian aid to 80 million francs. Furthermore, people forced to leave Ukraine due to the war are receiving a special status, never activated before, which allows them to avoid the ordinary asylum procedure. Already more than three thousand people have received this status in a few days. Now the refugees accepted by Switzerland are 10 thousand. In welcoming the refugees, I understand that Sardinia has also shown admirable solidarity ».

How are bilateral relations developing between Switzerland and Sardinia?

«The economic relationship mainly concerns tourist flows. I spoke to President Solinas on this issue. Considering the latest pre-pandemic indicators, my country has a very important position: third place (10% of the total) among foreign tourists arriving on the island, after Germany and France. We like Sardinia very much for what it can offer. Not only a beautiful sea, but also paths inside nature for trekking and cycling lovers. A very popular "slow" tourism. I see great investment potential in the tourism field. But bilateral trade in goods is also an important axis ».

Which are the numbers?

«Bilateral trade in goods is equivalent to about 20 million euros per year. The most important category of goods in commercial exchanges between Switzerland and Sardinia are manufactured products ».

The link between Switzerland and Sardinia is historically very strong.

«Switzerland is one of the favorite emigration destinations for Sardinians. By the way, allow me a nice anecdote. Do you know the city of Carouge? It borders with Geneva. It is called the "Sardinian city". In fact, the territory was ceded to the Kingdom of Sardinia by the Republic of Geneva at the time of the Treaty of Turin in 1754 before ending up in the Geneva orbit under the agreement of 1816. I also want to remember that about 850 Swiss live in Sardinia, perfectly integrated ".

The image of Switzerland is still a prisoner of old stereotypes.

«Chocolate, banks, alpine landscapes are the characterizing elements of which we are proud, but which do not say everything about Switzerland in 2022. We have a strong financial center, but let's not forget that this sector constitutes only 10% of our gross domestic product. In fact, we are also a country that is firmly at the top of the international rankings on innovation, as well as one of the countries that invests the most in research and development. Switzerland also contributes substantially to creating jobs in Italy: almost 115,000 people work in the 3,700 Swiss companies ”.

What remains of the short visit to Cagliari?

“I had the opportunity to take a guided tour. Between historical monuments and panoramas, there is a lot to see. I'll be back as a tourist! ».

Massimiliano Rais

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