Czech President Havel praises Switzerland
The president of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel, has described Switzerland as an "example to Europe", at the start of a two-day state visit to the country.
In a speech to cabinet members, Havel outlined the problems and issues facing Europe as it goes through a process of greater institutional, economic and political unification.
He said Switzerland – whether it was a member of the European Union or not – could serve as an example for others because people of different traditions, languages and cultures were able to live together.
During official talks with the Swiss president, Moritz Leuenberger, the two leaders agreed that bilateral relations between Switzerland and the Czech Republic were “excellent”.
They also discussed globalisation and membership of the EU. Leuenberger said the Czech Republic would probably become a member of the body before Switzerland. Havel said he believed the Czech Republic would join the EU in 2004.
At the start of his visit, Havel was received with full military honours outside the parliament buildings in Bern. In a rare departure from protocol, however, the army band did not play a military march, but a tune from an opera by Mozart.
On Friday Havel, and his wife, Dagmar Havlova, will travel to Lucerne where they will unveil a statue by the Czech sculptor, Pavel Krbalek. Havel is also taking part in a conference on federalism and direct democracy in Lucerne.
At the end of the visit, which includes several cultural and social events, the guests will be taken to the Rütli meadow, on Lake Lucerne, the place traditionally regarded as the birthplace of Switzerland.
Havel is a renowned writer and former dissident. He was elected president of Czechoslovakia after the collapse of the Communist regime in 1989. He became the first president of the newly founded Czech Republic in 1993.
It is Havel’s second visit to Switzerland as head of state. The last visit was in 1990.
swissinfo with agencies
In compliance with the JTI standards
More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.