Ambassador Anton Thalmann: 'Switzerland an the UK have a long and strong shared history'

Ambassador Thalmann: 'Looking to a long and profitable acquaintance with the Swiss community'

The new Swiss Ambassador in London, Anton Thalmann. has told the Swiss community in the UK how was looking forward to a 'long an profitable acquaintance' with the 28,000 Swiss living here.

In his first message to readers of the Swiss Review, the new ambassador, who has taken over from Alexis Lautenberg who has nos retired from the diplomatic service, writes:

"I am delighted to extend a warm greeting to all my fellow citizens via the pages of the Swiss Review as I begin my term as Ambassador of Switzerland in the United Kingdom.

"Switzerland and the UK have a long and strong shared history, and it is my hope and expectation that the ties that bind us will only strengthen further in the coming years.

"In an increasingly globalised world our activities here at the Embassy aim to highlight both the distinctive specificities of Swiss culture and society, and the fruitful collaborations and exchanges we can share throughout the UK as part of our public diplomacy programme.

"I look forward to a long and profitable acquaintance with the Swiss community in all parts of the country as part of this work, and wish you all every success in your continuing endeavours."

Before moving to London Ambassador Thalmann was deputy director of the political department of the Swiss Foreign Ministry, after a period as head of the government's military and public security sector.

He was made ambassador to Belgium in 1999, then appointed head of the Swiss mission to NATO, and four years later became ambassador to Canada.