13.07.09 Speech by President Hans-Rudolf Merz - 1 August 2009
At home in the world
Dear Swiss citizens living abroad,
The first of August celebrations are a patriotic occasion in many Swiss expatriate communities. The day is often bound up with the sounds and traditions of home. Far away from everyday life in Switzerland, Swiss expatriates feel a bond with their home country. This is what makes the National Day such a particularly moving experience.
This is the day when the Swiss abroad reflect on their life away from their homeland. There are of course a whole host of reasons that led at some point to these Swiss people going to live abroad. Each of you have your own story to tell and your own path through life.
However, as a group you can be assured of the respect and pride of your homeland. We know back home that you are the embodiment abroad of all those values and virtues to which we owe our good reputation. Switzerland is internationally highly respected and well integrated. It is always a reliable partner. Access to the world economy and the international community is vital for our country. You, who number nearly 700,000 (seven hundred thousand) Swiss citizens, are in the front line in this regard.
Along with most countries around the world, we are currently experiencing hard economic times. Almost all sectors of industry are suffering from a shortage of orders. For the first time in many years there has once again been a sharp rise in unemployment. But we Swiss never give up hope. We will overcome this crisis and come out the other side the stronger for it. We will continue to cultivate our good international relations. For every franc earned in Switzerland, another is earned abroad. You can be sure that, despite the need to defend our own interests in the international sphere, we are an open, peaceful country with a spirit of solidarity. And you can be sure that we, back home, will continue to take your concerns seriously amid the maelstrom of daily politics, in particular that we will continue to look after our expatriates’ best interests.
Fellow countrymen and women, carry on the good work of building up our robust, close-knit international network. Spread the good word abroad and continue to personify the qualities and spirit of Switzerland. Cherish the close bonds with your country.
Your friends and relations and we the Federal Council send you our greetings from the homeland and wish you a happy Swiss National Day.
Speech by President Hans-Rudolf Merz - 1 August 2009
http://podcast.swissinfo.ch/media/sri/en/2009/Swiss_National_Day_2009_Speech.mp3
