President Guy Parmelin greets participants of the Évian G7 Summit
Berne, 15.06.2026 — Ahead of the G7 summit in Évian, President Guy Parmelin greeted arriving heads of state and government at Geneva Airport on Monday, 15 June. In addition to the G7 countries, numerous other countries are taking part in the summit. Over the course of the day, Mr Parmelin held lengthy talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa, President of the European Council, as well as with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Further bilateral talks are also planned.
The meeting with European Union (EU) leaders focused on the outcome of the weekend’s vote on the popular initiative ‘No to a Switzerland with 10 million! (Sustainability Initiative)’ and the next steps regarding the Switzerland–EU package (Bilaterals III), which is currently working its way through the parliamentary process. In addition, Mr Parmelin and the EU leaders discussed current international issues such as economic developments, including the EU’s steel safeguard measures, transatlantic relations and the situation in the Middle East.
Talks between Mr Parmelin and Brazilian President Lula da Silva focused on the next steps towards ratifying the free trade agreement between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the Mercosur countries – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. This ambitious agreement will also strengthen cooperation on sustainability issues and in the fight against deforestation. Global trade relations and the impact of various crises and conflicts on the Global South were also discussed.
In the evening Mr Parmelin will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reaffirm Switzerland’s support for Ukraine in its pursuit of a just and lasting peace. The agenda for the talks includes the offer of good offices and Switzerland’s contributions to reconstruction.
Finally, a brief meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled for Tuesday evening, which will focus on negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement and geopolitical challenges. Mr Parmelin and his wife will also attend the summit’s gala dinner on Tuesday.
Further information:
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Brazil