The Swiss ambassador to Italy: “Sardinia has many interesting peculiarities”
“Being neutral doesn’t mean being indifferent. Switzerland, although maintaining its posture of neutrality, quickly condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the strongest feasible conditions. He questioned Moscow to stop the army aggression quickly and withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory. Let’s adhere to the situation closely ».
Therefore the Swiss ambassador to Italy Monika Schmutz Kirgöz who, yesterday in Cagliari, accompanied by the honorary consul Alberto Vespa, satisfied, in the course of the very first official visit outside the house Rome, the president of the Location Christian Solinas, the prefect Gianfranco Tomao and the mayor Paolo Truzzu. “Every diplomat – he stated – should know the state in which he is positioned. Commencing the cycle of official visits with Sardinia is not a coincidence: it is the third greatest area in Italy, it has a specific position and a lot of peculiarities ». The ambassador also visited the headquarters of the L’Unione Sarda publishing team, assembly the basic manager Lia Serreli and the director of the newspapers Emanuele Dessì.
The war leads to a pretty major humanitarian crisis. What does Switzerland do?
“We have just decided to raise humanitarian assist to 80 million francs. Moreover, people today pressured to go away Ukraine due to the war are getting a particular status, by no means activated prior to, which permits them to keep away from the common asylum process. Now additional than a few thousand men and women have obtained this standing in a handful of times. In welcoming the refugees, I understand that Sardinia has also shown admirable solidarity ».
How are bilateral relations developing amongst Switzerland and Sardinia?
«The economic connection generally fears tourist flows. I spoke to President Solinas on this concern. Thinking of the hottest pre-pandemic indicators, my nation has a really vital placement: third place (10% of the whole) among the international travellers arriving on the island, soon after Germany and France. We like Sardinia really a lot for what it can give. Not only a gorgeous sea, but also paths inside character for trekking and cycling fans. A extremely well-known “gradual” tourism. I see excellent expense potential in the tourism industry. But bilateral trade in items is also an important axis ».
Which are the numbers?
«Bilateral trade in merchandise is equivalent to about 20 million euros for each calendar year. The most critical classification of goods in commercial exchanges concerning Switzerland and Sardinia are manufactured products ».
The hyperlink among Switzerland and Sardinia is historically incredibly solid.
«Switzerland is one particular of the favorite emigration locations for Sardinians. By the way, make it possible for me a nice anecdote. Do you know the city of Carouge? It borders on Geneva. It is termed 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 in advance of ending up in the Geneva orbit less than the agreement of 1816. I also want to don’t forget that about 850 Swiss stay in Sardinia, properly integrated “.
The graphic of Switzerland is even now a prisoner of old stereotypes.
«Chocolate, financial institutions, alpine landscapes are the characterizing components of which we are proud, but which do not say almost everything about Switzerland in 2022. We have a strong financial center, but let’s not fail to remember that this sector constitutes only 10% of our gross domestic product or service. In fact, we are also a state that is firmly at the prime of the global rankings on innovation, as effectively as one of the international locations that invests the most in research and enhancement. Switzerland also contributes significantly to making work opportunities in Italy: pretty much 115,000 folks operate in the 3,700 Swiss providers ”.
What stays of the quick check out to Cagliari?
“I experienced the option to just take a guided tour. Among historical monuments and panoramas, there is a lot to see. I’ll be back as a tourist! ».
Massimiliano Rais
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