«Se projeter dans l'avenir tout en restant ancré dans l'histoire» (en)

Deputy Minister

Excellencies,
Distinguished guests from Switzerland,
Dear partners and friends in Greece,

Kalispera!

It is a true pleasure and a great honour to welcome you today, in the heart of Athens, as we open the Swiss House for Culture, Research and Diplomacy — a small piece of Switzerland in Greece, dedicated to dialogue, creativity and knowledge.

From now on, our Embassy will share this house with the Swiss School for Archeology (ESAG) and the Swiss cultural foundation Flux Laboratory.

Together, we bring diplomacy, science and culture under one roof – caring for the future while remaining connected to history.

This is more than a practical arrangement.

It reflects a typically Swiss approach of seeking equilibrium, dialogue and compromise.

In Greek thought, restoring equilibrium also means healing.

As a medical doctor, I cannot stand here without invoking Asclepius (Esculapio), the Greek god of medicine and healing.

Asclepius did not represent miracle cures. He represented a medicine based on observation, patience, care and human relationships.

This spirit will also inspire our new Swiss House:

Observing facts, questioning them, learning from the past – and nurturing trust between Greece and Switzerland, as well as between institutions and citizens.

I am deeply convinced that diplomacy today must remain open and accessible.

Here in the lively Plaka district, this means engaging with people, taking the time to explain what we do and why we do it.

This openness matters.

Especially in a world undergoing profound transformation, where mistrust too often grow between societies and nations.

Ladies and Gentlemen

In these challenging times, I am particularly pleased that, after almost 170 years of diplomatic relations, Switzerland now has an Embassy in Athens that truly reflects the depth and quality of our relationship with Greece.

Our ties are not only diplomatic.

They are deeply rooted in history.

They started with one remarkable Greek: Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first Governor of modern Greece.

While serving in Geneva in the early 19th century, and later at the Congress of Vienna, he supported the recognition of Swiss neutrality —a principle that remains a cornerstone of our foreign policy to this day.

Shaping our own Constitution… Few countries share such a historic connection with Switzerland!

But let me come back to present time.

Today, our economic ties are strong and dynamic. Switzerland is the fifth largest investor in Greece, and that means we invest more than the UK, the US and Italy.

Our newly established Swiss-Hellenic Business Association will further strengthen these ties.

I had the pleasure of meeting its founding members this morning.

They represent key sectors of the Swiss economy – from pharmaceuticals and life sciences to food, construction and innovation-driven industries.

Their presence reflects the confidence of Swiss companies in Greece and their commitment to long-term partnerships, innovation and sustainable growth.

Distinguished guests

Greece also remains one of the favorite destinations for Swiss travelers: last year, more than 800’000 Swiss citizens visited your country.

And I must admit: if my ministerial agenda allowed it, I would have gladly stayed longer myself to enjoy this beautiful city of Athens, and perhaps also a few of those Greek islands where life seems to move at exactly the right pace.

I am deeply interested in this region – at the crossroads of cultures, histories and geopolitical influences

Here, one can still feel both the risks of fragmentation and the remarkable capacity for resilience and cooperation.

The stability and connectivity of this region matter not only for Europe, but also for the broader international order.

In this context, Switzerland and Greece cooperate closely on migration – a shared European responsibility that requires solidarity, pragmatism and humanity.

We also work closely together in multilateral fora such as the UN and the OSCE – which Switzerland currently chairs with three key principles: dialogue, trust and security.

In difficult times, those three principles remain essential.

Ladies and Gentlemen

May the Swiss House for Culture, Research and Diplomacy become a place:

- where archaeologists bring the past to light and help us make sense of it;

- where artists open new horizons and broaden our imagination;

- and where our diplomats build bridges between people, cultures and worlds.

Not only between Switzerland and Greece, but across a wider Mediterranean region that is essential to our shared future.

I would like to conclude by extending my earnest thanks to our partners:

the representatives of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

the City of Athens,

and everyone who contributed to the success of this project.

Thank you all for being here!

Efcharistó polí.

Grazie mille.