Skopje, 29 April 2026 (MIA) - This is a historic day not only for me but for everyone here because a Swiss President is paying the first official visit to the country, said President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova on Wednesday.

President Siljanovska Davkova told a press conference after meeting Swiss counterpart Guy Parmelin that his visit to the Western Balkans attaches significance to the region and is a big boost to Macedonian-Swiss relations.

Siljanovska Davkova said Switzerland is an inspiration with regard to democracy, participatory political culture, developed local self-government, forms of direct democracy that North Macedonia can learn from.

"This is important for us because Switzerland is a successful example of a small federative multilingual state, in which differences are overcome through knowledge, civic capacity, competence and continued activity. We agreed that progress is made in dialogue because it is based on respect. We aim to continue in the same spirit, especially within OSCE and the Council of Europe. Peace and security are our main commitments, and I have said on numerous occasions that multilateralism is the solution for small states," said Siljanovska Davkova.

Parmelin expressed regret that the first visit of a Swiss President to North Macedonia has taken a lot of time, but one that can be seen as a sign of good development of relations in recent years.

"Switzerland and North Macedonia are countries with a long-standing tradition of multiculturalism. This means that our cooperation and dialogue are strong. We are also linked by the tragedies in Kochani and Crans Montana. Let me thank North Macedonia for its solidarity and generous offer for assistance and solidarity, which gave us the strength to overcome these horrendous tragedies. Our bilateral ties have thus far been marked by the cooperation programme and the large Macedonian diaspora in Switzerland, who contribute to the cultural diversity in my country," said Parmelin.

He is pleased and honored that the cooperation can be enlarged in the fields of economy, investments and innovations, while adding that Switzerland attaches enormous importance to peace and stability in the Western Balkans.

"This region is a priority for our foreign policy and I am happy to see that the regional states have become more certain in themselves and more stable, with European integration remaining the decisive factor for peace and prosperity in the Western Balkans. Switzerland is closely monitoring the countries' European prospects and the Swiss Cooperation Programme aims to support North Macedonia on the European integration path," said Parmelin. 

Later in the day, the Swiss President will meet with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi.

Photo: MIA