The government of the Swiss Confederation has promised that it would continue supporting the ongoing peace initiative in Mindanao especially following the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

PH-SWITZERLAND TIES — Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines Alain Gaschen makes his farewell visit to President Marcos in Malacañang on June 21, 2023. Joining them were Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Thimon Fürst, the Deputy Head of Mission of the Swiss embassy. (RTVM Screenshot)

Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines Alain Gaschen said this during his farewell call on President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in Malacañang on Wednesday, June 21.

Gaschen assumed his post as Ambassador-designate of the Swiss Confederation to the Philippines on Aug. 4, 2019.

In his remarks, the Swiss envoy recognized the complexity of the region's challenges that have lingered for decades, which prompted the government to address issues such as land, justice, and reconciliation.

"So, it needs to be taken seriously and with the proper attention from Manila, and I think… I know from the different ministries they have a basis to support addressing those issues," he said.

In response, Marcos said his confidence comes from everyone wanting the peace initiatives to work.

"The BARMM, the Parliament, everyone wants it to work. The national government wants it to work. The local governments in the area want it to work." he said.

The President thanked Switzerland for its involvement in chairing the Bangsamoro Transitional Council, noting that the two countries have always had "a very good close relationship."

"That was a very important role that you played in the success of what we are now continuing to implement in terms of the peace process in the southern Philippines, in BARMM," Marcos said.

"So for that, we are eternally grateful, and I hope that Switzerland continues its moral support and others for what we are trying to do," he added.