By Shouq AlMulla
Special to The Times Kuwait
His Excellency Guy Parmelin, President of the Swiss Confederation, paid a historic official visit to the State of Kuwait, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kuwait and Switzerland. The visit reflected the depth of bilateral ties and the shared commitment to advancing cooperation within established diplomatic, economic, and scientific frameworks.
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received President Parmelin at Bayan Palace on the occasion of his official visit, in the presence of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, Prime Minister. President Parmelin also met with His Highness Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah at his residence at Bayan Palace, in the presence of Sheikh Dr. Basel Hamoud Al-Malek Al-Sabah, Advisor at the Diwan of the Prime Minister and Head of the Honorary Mission accompanying the visit, as well as Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Ambassador Sadeq Marafi.
As part of his official program, President Parmelin and the accompanying delegation visited the Peace Palace Museum, where they were received by the museum’s Director General, Sheikha Mona Al-Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah. During the tour, the President reviewed the museum’s collections and historical documents highlighting key aspects of Kuwait’s history and civilization, including the Museum of Kuwait Through Its Rulers, the History of the Peace Palace Museum, and the Museum of Civilizations that once inhabited Kuwait.
The official visit concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Kuwait Danish Dairy Company (KDD) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich), held at the Swiss Embassy in Kuwait during an event hosted by the Embassy in conjunction with the Swiss President’s visit and the celebration of 60 years of diplomatic relations. The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Ambassador Sadeq Mohammad Marafi, and former Minister of Oil and Minister of Electricity and Water, Dr. Khaled Al-Fadhel.
The Memorandum of Understanding aims to strengthen cooperation in research, innovation, and knowledge transfer by linking the industrial sector with advanced academic expertise, supporting the development of innovative ideas and joint initiatives with practical applications. The agreement reflects the shared emphasis of both countries on research and development as a foundation for sustainable growth.
In remarks on the sidelines of the signing, President Parmelin described the visit as the first by a Swiss President to Kuwait, underscoring its historical importance given its timing with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. He noted that his meetings with His Highness the Amir, the Crown Prince, and the Prime Minister were positive and constructive, reflecting the mutual desire to further develop bilateral relations, particularly in economic and scientific fields.
President Parmelin highlighted the availability of well-established legal and regulatory frameworks supporting Swiss–Kuwaiti cooperation, including the Free Trade Agreement between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Free Trade Association, as well as agreements on investment protection and the avoidance of double taxation. He noted that these frameworks provide a solid basis for engagement, with the private sector playing a central role in utilizing existing mechanisms.
He further noted that the Swiss–Kuwaiti Business Day held in Kuwait serves as a platform for enhancing dialogue between companies in both countries, alongside the participation of Swiss firms seeking to expand their presence in the Kuwaiti market. He also referenced the continued growth of Swiss business activity in Kuwait and the potential for reciprocal participation in economic events held in Switzerland.
President Parmelin emphasized that personal and human connections remain a core pillar of Swiss–Kuwaiti relations, noting that business leaders, researchers, and professionals are key contributors to this long-standing partnership. He added that linking economic activity with scientific research, as reflected in the Memorandum of Understanding with ETH Zurich, supports practical cooperation within established institutional frameworks.
For his part, Swiss Ambassador to Kuwait H.E. Tiziano Balmelli said the Embassy was honored to host the signing ceremony alongside the Swiss President’s visit, marking six decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He noted that the event reflects the maturity of bilateral relations and the shared commitment to maintaining constructive engagement across economic, scientific, and institutional domains.
The visit reaffirmed the enduring friendship between Kuwait and Switzerland, highlighting a relationship characterized by stability, mutual respect, and continuity. As both countries mark 60 years of diplomatic relations, the emphasis remains on building upon existing foundations and maintaining dialogue that supports long-term cooperation and shared interests.
