Country Profile: Switzerland

Country Profile: Switzerland

Message from Ambassador of Switzerland Georges Martin

On its national day, Aug. 1, Switzerland is honored to greet all Indonesians in friendship. Indonesia and Switzerland have much in common, even if Indonesia is far larger in terms of population and territory.

Both countries are multiethnic, multireligious and multilingual, and share a continuous effort to build a modern, democratic society and bring together diverse and rich cultures in peaceful and mutually fruitful coexistence.

Swiss national day commemorates the founding of the Swiss Confederation by the three original cantons that vowed in 1291 to stand together in union to be stronger and therefore able to retain their beloved independence.

This union proved to be so successful that more and more cantons decided to join the confederation, gradually leading to the modern Switzerland as we know it today. On this very day, many Swiss celebrate with small campfires on the hills and mountains of the Alps.

Rooted in traditional values, Switzerland continues to be a country open to the outside world and its challenges. The recent victory of the Swiss Alinghi team at the world's most prestigious sailing competition brings out typically Swiss qualities: a combination of cutting-edge technology with innovative social engineering and management, bringing in partners from all over the world to share a common vision and reach a set goal.

The qualities of modesty and strength shown recently on the famous Wimbledon Center Court by Roger Federer also perfectly represent Switzerland: a country with roots (traditions) and wings or, after the America's Cup victory should I say, sails?

-- 000---