Lozitha – His Majesty King Mswati III on Thursday received letters of credence from the incoming ambassadors of Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates at Lozitha Palace, reaffirming Eswatini’s commitment to working with both countries in a cordial and mutually beneficial manner.
Swiss Ambassador H.E. Mirko Manzoni and UAE Ambassador H.E. Mansour Mohamed Ali Alijuwaied were formally presented to the King during the ceremony.
Manzoni said Switzerland and Eswatini share a strong partnership built over many years, pointing to cooperation on fighting gender-based violence and promoting vocational education as key areas of collaboration. 
“Switzerland has been a partner of Eswatini’s sustained development through continued cooperation which strengthened our friendly relations. In the past years, Switzerland supported, in particular projects to fight gender-based violence and to promote vocational education,” he said.
The Swiss ambassador also pointed to economic opportunities between the two countries, including the potential for growing Swiss tourism to Eswatini and the possibility of resuming free trade negotiations.
“One could also resume the negotiations around the Free Trade Agreement between the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), of which Switzerland is a member. This could be better used to increase the volume of our bilateral trade,” Manzoni said.
He added that dialogue remains central to building a sustainable future between the two nations.
“Our two countries are peaceful ones. Switzerland was built on consensus, and dialogue is key to understand each other and work together towards a sustainable future,” he said.
UAE Ambassador Alijuwaied pointed to the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding on visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic and service passports as a sign of the growing ties between Abu Dhabi and Mbabane.
“The United Arab Emirates attaches great importance to its friendship and cooperation with the Kingdom of Eswatini. I am particularly encouraged by the recent signing in Abu Dhabi of the MOU on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and service passports, which marks an important milestone and reflects the growing partnership between our two countries,” he said.
Alijuwaied pledged to work towards deepening bilateral relations and said he was confident the friendship between the two nations would continue to grow.
“I am confident that, under the leadership of Your Majesty and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two nations will continue to flourish and expand in areas of mutual interest for the benefit of our people,” he said.
