Ambassador Joselito A. Jimeno called on the new Mayor of the City of Berne, Alec von Graffenried on 03 July 2017. Mayor von Graffenried served in the National Council of the Swiss Federal Assembly from 2007 to 2015 before becoming Mayor. He also served as the President of the Berne Tourism from 2010. 

Ambassador Joselito Jimeno during his courtesy call to the new Mayor of Berne, Alec von Graffenried

During the call, Ambassador Jimeno updated the Mayor on the number of Filipinos living in Switzerland, specifically Filipinos living in Berne. He also mentioned that there is a growing number of tourists from the Philippines visiting Switzerland.

The Ambassador also took the opportunity to thank the Mayor for the use of the Rathaus Berne during the Philippine reception on 16 June 2017 on the occasion of the 119^th Philippine Independence Day and the 60^th anniversary of the diplomatic relations. Ambassador Jimeno shared photos taken during the reception. The Mayor gave a brief history about the Rathaus, mentioning that this year marks its 600^th year anniversary.

The two officials also discussed about the Philippine-Switzerland Economic Relations and how Swiss companies continue to invest in the Philippines. Mayor von Graffenried also extended his concern on the current situation in Marawi and is hoping that the conflict will soon end. END