On the occasion of the opening of the Swiss House of Culture, Research, and Diplomacy, the head of the federal Department of Foreign Affairs and vice president of the Swiss Confederation, Ignazio Cassis, visited Athens. The federal councillor, who chairs the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), spoke with Kathimerini about Greek-Swiss investment relations, funding programs for migration management, and the diplomatic efforts currently underway in Geneva to end the war in Ukraine.
One of the key objectives of your visit is the launch of the Swiss-Hellenic Business Association (SHBA). Currently, trade relations between the two countries amount to roughly €3 billion annually. Which sectors do you believe offer the greatest potential for further strengthening economic cooperation between our countries?
The improved economic climate and renewed optimism in Greece are clearly attracting Swiss companies and investors. More than 70 Swiss firms are active in Greece, creating around 12,000 jobs. Switzerland is now among the top five foreign investors, with investments of about €4.5 billion. The strongest potential for further cooperation lies in building materials, environmental services and waste management, energy, and high-tech sectors such as biotechnology, where important investments have already been made in recent years.
