Arnold KollerMr President, Federal Councillors.
It is a very great pleasure to pay this official visit to Switzerland. I am told that it is the first ever by a British Prime Minister in Office. It seems extraordinary that should be so, when Britain and Switzerland have always had such very good and close relations. But it makes the privilege all the greater. And I am looking forward to everything that I shall see and hear during my brief stay.
There is tremendous respect in Britain for Switzerland's qualities: your robust independence, your determination in defence, your commitment to sound economic policies and free trade, your tradition of hard work. [end p1]
I do not think I am giving away any secrets if I say that I myself am foremost among your admirers. I have paid many private visits here with my family, I always try to meet your Ministers when they come to London, and I know many of your leading bankers and industrialists as friends—and I always find that we agree on just about everything! Switzerland is really almost a second home for me.
I am not alone in this. Most people in Britain have very warm feelings towards Switzerland. They remember the help which we received from Switzerland in wartime, and Winston Churchill 's famous minute of 1944 in which he said: [end p2] “Of all the neutrals, Switzerland has the greatest right to distinction. She has been a democratic state, standing for freedom in self defence among her mountains, and in thought, in spite of race, largely on our side” .
You helped wounded and escaping prisoners. You helped protect our interests and our citizens in a number of countries with which we were at war.
And that tradition of course continues today. You looked after Britain's interests in Argentina until diplomatic relations were resumed. And through the International Committee of the Red Cross you care for thousands of individuals around the world, caught up in turmoil or disaster—and may I [end p3] say how disgraceful it is that Saddam Hussein has refused the ICRC entry into Iraq and the right to carry out its humanitarian work there.
You have joined us in implementing sanctions against Iraq, and we hope Switzerland will also feel able to contribute towards assistance to countries like Turkey, Egypt and Jordan who are particularly badly affected by sanctions.
Our admiration for Switzerland is sometimes tinged with a little envy as we look at your strong currency, your steady growth. But we have learned a lot from you: and over the last ten years Britain's record has been very much improved as a result, although our inflation is too high at present. Our trade does very well, as does [end p4] investment.
Now you are engaged in examining Switzerland's place in Europe and your relations with the international institutions, at a time of unprecedented world change. The decisions which you reach are entirely a matter for you. We hope they will be in the direction of closer contacts with the European Community, and an active role in the IMF and World Bank because we need Switzerland's contribution. But whatever you decide, can I assure you that you will continue to have Britain's full and wholehearted support as a true friend.
So may I ask you to join me in a toast to Britain and Switzerland and their strong and lasting friendship.