On his arrival in Bern, the Sovereign Prince was greeted by Mrs Micheline Calmy-Rey, President of the Swiss Confederation. After receiving military honours on Place de la Cathédrale, the two Heads of State engaged in a meeting, followed by lunch. They acknowledged the long-standing and excellent diplomatic relations between the two countries, reinforced recently by the accreditation of a Swiss Ambassador to the Principality.
They both stressed values common to Switzerland and the Principality, notably in the fields of promoting peace and protecting the environment.
H.S.H. Prince Albert II and Mrs Micheline Calmy-Rey also spoke of their countries' positions with regards the European Union in its quality as a third State.
Both underscored the importance of sectorial agreements concluded between the two countries and the European Union. The two Heads of State then went on to describe their countries' activities within the Council of Europe.
Mrs Micheline Calmy-Rey thanked the Sovereign Prince for his interest in Geneva as a host city for international organisations.
The two Heads of State asserted their shared view of the urgent need to rise to the challenge of protecting the environment by taking concrete action.
In this context, H.S.H. Prince Albert II pointed out that the Principality is to host the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) world conference next year, reaffirming its support of the future creation of a United Nations of the Environment.
H.S.H. Prince Albert II then went on to Bern University, where scientists presented their work on evolutions in global warming. Mauritz Leunberg, Federal Councillor in charge of the environment, and Bernard Fautrier, Vice-President of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, also attended.
After the presentation, the Sovereign Prince congratulated the scientists on the quality of their research, stressing the vital role science has to play in finding concrete solutions to a major problem.
Prince Albert participated in a scientific experiment in the field of glaciology before concluding his visit with informal talks with academics.
H.S.H. Prince Albert II was guest of honour at the W.W.F. International Panda Ball, dedicated this year to protecting the Mediterranean.
On this occasion, the Sovereign Prince unveiled the partnership between His Foundation and the W.W.F. focusing on three projects: protecting red tuna in the Mediterranean; heightening awareness in Madagascan schools and universities of the need to protect the environment; and establishing protected maritime zones, and promoting the sustainable use of resources, on the west coast of Madagascar.
