On 10 and 11 July 2025, Mr Cassis will for the first time attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, which is being held in Malaysia this year. Switzerland has had a dialogue partnership with ASEAN since 2016. With its South East Asia Strategy 2023–26 and Asia G20 Strategy 2025–28, the Federal Council is underscoring the growing economic and geopolitical importance of Asia. It is therefore seeking to build closer relations at the bilateral and multilateral levels. The ASEAN countries are important trading partners for Switzerland, with a volume of trade amounting to around CHF 25 billion per year. Mr Cassis will use his stay in Kuala Lumpur to hold bilateral talks with his counterparts as well as with representatives of ASEAN and its member states.
Nepal and Bhutan
Mr Cassis will travel to Nepal and Bhutan ahead of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Official talks with the Nepalese prime minister and other government representatives are planned to take place in Kathmandu. The focus will be on Switzerland's cooperation programme, the promotion of federalism and global challenges such as climate change. The management and prevention of natural hazards is a priority in Switzerland's Asia G20 Strategy 2025–28.
The visit to Kathmandu will provide an opportunity to strengthen bilateral and economic relations at a time when Nepal is on the verge of transitioning from the group of least developed countries. Switzerland has also contributed to this as part of its international cooperation efforts. For over 60 years, it has been supporting Nepal's transformation by expanding bilateral economic relations.
Switzerland and Bhutan are celebrating 40 years of diplomatic relations this year. Mr Cassis will meet with the prime minister, the foreign minister and members of the royal family in Thimphu on 8 and 9 July. The focus of the visit to Bhutan is on regional coordination in the area of sustainability and the further development of Swiss economic relations.
Brunei Darussalam and Singapore
Mr Cassis' visit to Brunei on 12 July is the first visit by a federal councillor since 2001. A reception by the prime minister, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, is planned to take place. Mr Cassis will also hold bilateral talks on economic reforms and sustainable development with the foreign minister and the minister of finance and economy.
Finally, Mr Cassis will travel to Singapore, where he will visit the Swiss embassy, which has undergone extensive renovation.
Links
South East Asia Strategy 2023–26
file:///C:/Users/HUH/Downloads/strategie-asien-g20-2025-2028_EN.pdf
Address for enquiries:
FDFA Communication Bundeshaus West 3003 Bern +41 58 460 55 55 kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
