Viola Amherd, President of the Swiss Confederation visits Andrassy University

Viola Amherd, President of the Swiss Confederation, visited Hungary on 18 April 2024. During her visit, Ms Amherd held a meeting with Tamás Sulyok, President of the Republic of Hungary, and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, in view of Hungary's rotating presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2024.

As part of the visit, she was also a guest of Andrássy University in Budapest, where she gave a Carl Lutz Lecture entitled Challenging Times for Europe - Thoughts from a Swiss Perspective, jointly organised by the University and the Swiss Embassy in Budapest, to an audience of more than 200 invited guests.

The event was opened by Zoltán Tibor Pállinger Dr., Rector of Andrássy University in Budapest, who highlighted the current challenges of Swiss domestic and foreign policy. In particular, he stressed the need to strengthen the relationship between Switzerland and its most important partner, the European Union, and to prepare for future challenges.

In her speech, President Amherd stressed the importance of freedom, which she said is under threat worldwide. She called on young people in particular to defend democratic values and individual freedoms.

She underlined the long-standing cultural and economic friendship between Switzerland and Hungary, based on reciprocity.

President Amherd also stressed the importance of cooperation in Swiss-EU relations, as the European Union is one of Switzerland's most important business and research partners. In this partnership, she stressed the importance of finding consensual solutions in order to benefit both parties.

On the war in Ukraine, President Amherd stressed that international relations should never be based on the "law of the jungle". Switzerland stands in solidarity with Ukraine and is actively involved both in humanitarian aid and in the reconstruction of the country. However, Switzerland's commitment alone is not enough; rather, the cooperation and dialogue of the international community is needed to promote and secure peace in Ukraine and worldwide.

President Amherd concluded by stressing the importance of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and social balance, which together are the key to peaceful and inspiring coexistence. Only by joining forces can we ensure stability, security and prosperity across the continent and effectively meet the challenges of the future.

After the speech, guests were invited to ask questions. After a lively discussion, the evening concluded with a reception hosted by the Swiss Embassy.

The event was organised as part of the Changing Orders Research Programme under the Swiss-Hungarian Cooperation Programme. The presentation was supported by the Embassy of Switzerland.

Photos: Andrássy University

23 April 2024.