Archive for July, 2010

Switzerland is situated in the Alps in Western Europe. It is a federate state of 26 cantons with a population of about 8 million people and its capital in Bern. The country is not a nation in terms of common ethnic and linguistic origins. There are four official languages of the state- French, German, Italian and Romansh. The country is united by common history and the ideas of a federate state and direct democracy. It is one of the richest countries in terms of per capita GDP. The country is considered as one of the best places to live in the world in terms of quality of life especially the cities of Geneva and Zurich.
Best Car Hire Switzerland is home to many international organizations such as the International Olympic Committee, FIFA, the World Trade Organization, the Red Cross, and the World Economic Forum. It is part of the European Free Trade Agreements and the Shengen Zone but not of the European Union and the European Economic Area.
The political system of Switzerland is characterized by direct democracy. The division between the different levels is as follows – federal level, canton, and commune. The civil rights of the citizens in the direct democracy is to start a constitutional initiative and referendum. In order to pass an adjustment they need to collect simple majority. By starting a federal referendum a law can be changed. A group of people can call for a national referendum after collecting 50,000 signatures in 100 days. To change the constitution the initiators must collect 100,000 votes in 18 months and then get to national level.
Switzerland has long-standing traditions in neutrality. The country has acted in a neutral way since 1515. The idea of neutrality is to abstain from participation in any military conflict, defensive pacts and support treaties. It the case of Switzerland it has had a profound importance for maintaining the country’s unity. In case of a war the different speaking cantons might want to support different countries and that can threaten the union of the federate republic.
The country’s neutrality was officially recognized during the Congress of Vienna after the defeat of Napoleon. Switzerland remained neutral during the most part of the 20th century and the world wars. There have been some accusations that they have taken sides. Allegedly, during the Second World War Switzerland helped Nazi authorities to sell and laundry the money and jewelry taken during the Holocaust against the Jews. They also helped the Allies by supplying them with materials for the war industry. In more recent history Switzerland became member of the United Nations in 2002 and has taken part of the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. In order for that to happen there was a referendum to change the constitution. The two main points were to allow Swiss soldiers to be fully armed and to allow Swiss army to take part in international military trainings.
In case you are planning to travel in Switzerland you might want to rent a car. Companies that operate in the country are Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt and Budget.

Recently most of us heard about the incident involving the son of Libya’s leader Hannibal Gaddafi that caused quite the stir in the relations between Switzerland and Libya.
Libya is a country in North Africa with a big territory mostly covered by desert and a small population. It is among the ten richest nations in the world in terms of oil reserves. The country has been ruled by Muammar Gaddafi since the military coup in 1969. With the help of other junior officers Gaddafi, then only a captain took control over the wealthy oil state from the current sultan Idris. Ever since the political leader has become symbol of foreign relations fluctuations and dictatorship.
The current incident happened in 2008 when Hannibal Gaddafi, Muammar’s son was arrested in Switzerland. He and his wife were taken in Geneva by police on charges of beating their two servants with a belt and a hanger. The two rejected the accusations. They were released two days later and left the country promptly. In 2005 Hannibal was arrested and convicted for beating his girlfriend in France so this is not his first trouble with the law.
As a result Libya took measures against Switzerland. The Jamahiriya forbid Swiss nationals from travelling to the country. Car Hire Libya recalled its diplomats, suspended the issuing of visas and reduced flights to the European country. Moreover, two Swiss were arrested on various charges. Many Swiss companies in Libya received orders to close their operations and many others were sealed by authorities.
Switzerland sent a diplomatic mission to the capital to try to prevent the crisis and to give details about the arrest to Gaddafi government. The Swiss foreign ministry complained about the African state’s behavior towards Swiss business ventures and they retaliated by stopping Libyan oil shipments. The state company transporting oil is close related to Hannibal. Furthermore, ships sailing under the flag of Switzerland were forbidden entry in Libyan ports. The next step in the escalation of the matter was the Libyan oil refinery in Switzerland. Later Libya withdrew their money from Swiss banks.
The next round was that Switzerland banned 188 Libya nationals from entering the country. All of those are political elite and among them is even Muammar Gaddafi. The country pushed further by rejecting Libyan Shengen visa applicants and asked other European nations to follow suit.
Now, two years later Libyan mediators were rejected entry in Switzerland. A request has been brought for international arbitration supported by both sides, but it has not achieved anything yet. On Libya’s side so far have joined the Arab League Council and Arab Maghreb Union. The African state is complaining about biased media coverage of the incident.
Muammar Gaddafi’s official statement on this matter is that there was use of excessive force during the arrest of his son. Also, that the Geneva police force did not show enough consideration to Hannibal’s wife who was pregnant and their other child that was also there.
Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt and Budget are the car hire services found in Switzerland.

The Chairman of the Standing Committee of the China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) Wu Bangguo and the President of the Swiss Confederation Doris Leuthard has held talks yesterday, i.e., on July 18th,in order for the expansion of their bilateral cooperation.
Wu has conveyed the regards of Chinese President Hu Jintao to Leuthard and said that “In order to push forward the Sino-Swiss ties, China would work together with Switzerland. The economies of both China and Switzerland are highly balancing while having large potential in economic cooperation. Besides expanding the support in the technical fields China is also expecting with Switzerland to make join efforts for boosting the collaboration in environmental protection, green economy, low carbon technology and financial service areas. ”
Leuthard on reaffirming the Swiss government’s perspective on one-China policy has said that “Switzerland bestows with a great attention for a friendly cooperation with China and is keen on deepening the bilateral ties. It is one of the initial western countries that have built diplomatic ties with China. Swiss is looking forward to carry out the mutual aid in energy saving, environmental protection and sustainable economic development.”
The two leaders has made discussions that involved views on global issues like financial emergency and climate changes and Leuthard has admired highly the progress in the Sino-Swiss relations in the current years.
Wu, who is on an official goodwill visit to Switzerland, is also set to leave for Geneva for attending the third World Conference of Speakers of Parliament.