Medvedev pays tribute to past and present
Russian President Dmitri Medvedev has completed a two-day state visit to Switzerland, the first ever by a Russian head of state.
After talks with the Swiss government on Monday, during which they discussed the global economy as well as security, Medvedev praised Switzerland’s role as an international mediator and major financial centre.
The two countries signed accords on visa regulations for diplomats, the repatriation of failed asylum seekers, technical cooperation and sport in a bid to strengthen bilateral relations.
Medvedev described the discussions as “productive” and stressed the common interests and historical and cultural links between the two countries.
On the second day of his visit Medvedev flew to the Suvorov Monument near Andermatt where he laid a wreath and paid tribute to the 18th century Russian general. Alexander Suvorov lost 6,000 men crossing the Alps after a battle against the French in 1799.
Later he and President Hans-Rudolf Merz travelled to the Federal Charter Museum in Schwyz. President Medvedev and his wife Svetlana left Switzerland for New York at the end of the afternoon.
The Russian couple left behind a special parting gift for the city of Bern – two young bears named Mischa and Mascha.
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