DFA Undersecretary Lazaro Calls on Swiss Foreign Ministry Official

DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro meets with Deputy State Secretary Thomas Gürber. 

BERNE 20 NOVEMBER 2024 –  Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro met with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Deputy State Secretary Thomas Gürber, Head of the UN Division, and Ambassador Gabriel Lüchinger, Head of the International Security Division, during her visit to Berne, Switzerland on 14 November 2024.

During her meeting with Deputy State Secretary Gürber, she highlighted the deepening of Philippines-Switzerland bilateral relations and cooperation in the multilateral fora.  The two officials welcomed the frequent high-level exchanges between the two countries, including the visit of Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to Manila last February 2024, as well as robust economic cooperation.

The Undersecretary also conveyed appreciation for Switzerland’s support for peace and development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), including through the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC).  She also sought support for the newly-established Special Committee on Human Rights Coordination (SCHRC) following the conclusion of the UN Joint Programme for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Philippines.

Undersecretary Lazaro also discussed various regional and global issues with both officials, with focus on security challenges in the Indo-Pacific,  Europe and the Middle East. She briefed them on recent developments in the West Philippine Sea / South China Sea, underscoring that the Philippines remains committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes, including through dialogue and diplomacy. END

DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro meets with Ambassador Gabriel Lüchinger.