Swiss-Emirati Friendship Platform to boost ties

Abu Dhabi :The Swiss Ambassador to the UAE who lives in Al Bahia, an Emirati domain on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, said the friendship with his Emirati neighbours inspired him to make a formal platform for Swiss-Emirati friendship.

"Emirati neighbours always visit my home and their friendship was an inspiration to enhance people to people contact [between both countries], Wolfgang Amadeus Bruelhart told Gulf News.

In a press conference he said that the Emirati-Swiss Friendship Platform which will be launched tomorrow.

Bruelhart said that Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, the UAE Minister of Economy, once told him that both the countries had excellent trade relations but needed a platform human relations.

Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, member of Abu Dhabi executive council is the UAE honourary co-chairman and Pascal Couchepin, former Swiss President is the Swiss honorary co-chairman of the platform.

Relations

In a joint message they said bilateral relations have been excellent. "However we feel that an institutional forum for these relations is missing. The relationship very much involves people, including the younger generation. The friendship is a personal one and extends from close cooperation to cultural and trade ties," they said.