Swiss President makes first foreign visit to Vienna

Guy Parmelin has completed his first foreign trip as Swiss President to Austria, which is traditionally the first official visit by all Swiss government ministers who hold the rotating presidency office. + Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Parmelin was received at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna on Thursday by his Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen. What Switzerland and Austria have more in common than just being neighbours, but also a "partnership that has grown over centuries, which is constantly evolving and responding to the challenges of our time", said Van der Bellen. At this moment Europe, including non-member states such as Switzerland, must move closer together - and act together. "Right now, stability is good," he added. Security is also a topic of the joint action plan, Parmelin said at the media conference. During his visit to Vienna, the President of the Swiss Confederation expressed his interest in defence policy cooperation with the ...