Dear Fellow Swiss Nationals, Our Swiss community in Armenia is

Dear Fellow Swiss Nationals,
Our Swiss community in Armenia is small, but steadily growing. This year,
we surpassed the number of thirty Swiss nationals in Armenia, and
the tendency points further upwards, with new arrivals around the corner.
For how long will our residence offer enough space for our yearly Christmas
gathering? This is the Embassy’s first Infoletter, which we will issue on a yearly basis.
2015 has been an exciting year with many highlights in the rich relations between Switzerland
and Armenia. Your contribution has been essential in many ways, and I would like to thank you
for your great support. Read more below about this year's activities of Switzerland in Armenia.
For the Swiss living abroad, 2015 was an important year, as the new Swiss Abroad Act entered into force.
Consult the end section of
this infoletter to see what this
important act means for you.
Dear Compatriots, I wish you all
merry Christmas holidays and an
auspicious and happy
new year 2016.
Lukas Gasser
Ambassador of Switzerland
Joyeux Noël, Frohe Weihnachten, Buon
Natale, Bella Festas daz Nadal!
1915 Commemorations
Switzerland marked the commemorative year 2015 in many ways. For the commemorating acts in April, Yerevan
welcomed an important delegation from the Swiss national parliament. The delegation was led by the Co-Chairs of the
Parliamentary Friendship Group Switzerland-Armenia, National Councillor Dominique De Buman and State Councillor
Ueli Leuenberger. In Switzerland, many commemorative
events were organised in order to make sure the attempts of
the Ottoman Empire to annihilate
the Armenian nation will remain engraved in the global
remembrance, thus helping mankind prevent similar crimes
against humanity in the future.
The Swiss Friendship Group
with Ambassador Gasser
Other official visitors from Switzerland
This year saw two official delegations of Swiss government representatives
to Armenia. The first was led by State Secretary for Education and Research
Mauro dell’Ambrogio, who participated at the Ministerial Conference and Fourth
Bologna Forum in Yerevan on 14-15 May. During the 31st session of the Conference
of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the International Organisation of La Francophonie
in Yerevan on 10-11 October, Deputy Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
Georges Martin, led the Swiss delegation. The conference prepared, among others, a consolidated
position of the French-speaking countries to the December Paris Summit on climate change. The Swiss
official representatives, both of them in
Yerevan for the first time, left Armenia
with a very positive impression. Being an
important place of global meetings and
International Organisations, Switzerland
knows the importance of hosting such
events. We can only encourage Armenia
to pursue this promising path and put its
proverbial hospitality to use in
international relations.
Deputy State Secretary
Georges Martin
Another important mission was led by Dr. Hans Wanner, Director General of the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety
Inspectorate (ENSI), in May. On behalf of the International Atomic Energy (IAEA), he headed the group of international
nuclear experts who reviewed the Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ANRA). Dr. Wanner was kind enough and
accepted our invitation to give a public lecture on the topic of “Armenia, Switzerland: Safety for Old Nuclear Power
Plants”. His lecture was filled with instructive
examples of Switzerland's management of
nuclear safety and attracted a huge audience.
Dr. Hans Wanner on nuclear
safety in Switzerland
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National Day Celebration
We celebrated our national day at Armenia Marriott. This actually was
a home match, thanks to the Hotel's experienced Swiss chef Rolf Graber.
Our nearly 500 guests took the opportunity to renew their friendship with Switzerland,
celebrate the 714th day of independence of our beautiful country and grasp
one of the rare occasions
where one can try real Swiss wine
in Armenia! This year's selection included white
Chasselas from La Côte (Canton Vaud),
red Cabernet franc from Geneva and Valais,
and Œil de Perdrix, a rosé made
from Pinot Noir, unique from Neuchâtel.
Attention to every detail:
the Marriott's Swiss chef Rolf Graber
Armenia - Stimulating Ground for Swiss Culture, Education and Science
As in previous years, 2015 was marked by an active cultural calendar of the Embassy. It is impress to see how every
nook of Swiss culture finds an, knowledgeable and understanding public in Armenia. Our guests - most of them in
Armenia for the first time - vow to return here quickly.
Fête de la Francophonie 2015
We started with a rich program in the Francophonie month. Representing Switzerland, a proud French-speaking country,
the Embassy is actively participating in the ever-growing Francophonie activities in
Armenia. This year, we initiated a "Festival de la Montagne" (Mountain festival)
together with our friends from the French Embassy. The festival opened with the
movie "Sils Maria", shot in the Grison alps of Eastern Switzerland, starring Juliette
Binoche and Kristen Stewart. The Embassy further contributed to the mountain
festival with a literary programme, inputs to a roundtable on tourism development,
and more movies.
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The mountains of Switzerland, France and Armenia provide stunning
sceneries and are apt to attract tourists from all over the world.
Switzerland and France have developed tourism since the 19th century and
provide interesting examples for the do's and don’ts of bringing travelers to
the local natural resources in Armenia. Together with our friends from France
and many Armenian partners, the Embassy participated in a round table
in Tsakhkhadzor dedicated to tourism development in mountain regions.
Mountain tourism - examples Swiss and French
The festival also saw documentary films, of which one, "Berge im Kopf" ("La montagne dans la tête"), was presented by
its director, Matthias Affolter, at Le Club in Yerevan. The movie is about four famous Swiss climbers who constantly look
for new challenges in the mountains. This interesting
encounter was enriching for us as well, as we were
introduced to a passionate community of Armenian
mountaineers.
Meeting a passionate public:
Filmmaker Affolter
The Embassy's Francophonie contribution continued with a promising cooperation in Archaeology, where profs. Lorenz
Kaiser and Philippe Egmont from Geneva University gave lectures at Yerevan State University and KASA's EspaceS.
Finally, a rediscovered book by one of the main heroes of the short-lived independence of the Republic at the beginning
of the twentieth century, Avetis Aharonyan's "Swiss village", was presented in a fresh translation into French by its
translator Sévane Harutunyan at Matenadaran and KASA's EspaceS.
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Aharonyan's original in Armenian was reprinted in 2014 by Lusabats
publishers in cooperation with the Embassy of Switzerland.
Deputy minister Vache Terteryan
introducing Aharonyan's "Swiss Village"
Christoph Merian Stiftung discovers Armenia
Exciting times are forthcoming in visual arts, as Sona Harutyunyan's "Stiftung Kulturdialog" started a promising
cooperation with Christoph Merian Stiftung (Basel) and the city of Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. With the support of the
Embassy, a delegation from Basel and Freiburg visited. Armenian Artist Arman Vahanyan will be the first artist in
residence in the Freiburg/Basel region, followed by
Swiss artist Silas Heizmann, who will stay and create
in Yerevan from July to December 2016.
Arman Vahanyan showing his atelier to
the Swiss and German guests
Vahé Godel - poetry links Switzerland and Armenia
Bureaucrat Bookstore was the scene of an intense poetry reading by Vahé
Godel in October. Godel links Armenian poetry with the inspiration of Swissfrench avantgarde. He still remains to be discovered in Armenia.
Translator A. Topchian, introducing the poet
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Authentic Light Orchestra - Swiss-Armenian fusion
This fall, we saw quite a contribution from Switzerland to the local jazz scene.
With the generous support of Pro Helvetia, the Arts Council of Switzerland,
Yerevan became the venue for a series of stunning performances by the
Swiss-Armenian-Russian Combo Authentic Light orchestra, whose lead singer,
Veronika Stalder, although 100% Swiss, stunned everyone by how she can look,
and sound, Armenian.
Memorable concert
at KAMI
Jazz marks this year's "Settimana della lingua italiana"
Another Swiss concert filled KAMI up to the last seat during the celebration of the traditional "Settimana della lingua
italiana nel mondo". This very special week is a worldwide celebration of the Italian language, which Italy and Switzerland
have in common. The Embassy presented the Ticinese jazz trio Scala Nobile, led by renowned guitarist Sandro
Schneebeli, who toured Armenia and Georgia on the occasion of the "Settimana" in November.
Ticino Jazz night
Swiss feature film wins first prize in Yerevan
"Shana - the Wolf's Music", a Swiss-Canadian children's movie
co-production, was awarded this year's first prize for feature
films at Yerevan's Rolan Bykov Festival in November. The
movie is based on the novel by Federica de Cesco, one of
Switzerland's strong writers of adventure books for young
readers.
All honours go to the makers of "Shana"
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Another literary highlight
The bestselling Swiss writer and famous patron of the arts from Geneva,
Metin Arditi, visited Armenia for the first time in November and held three
impressive lectures at Yerevan State University, American University of
Armenia and KASA's EspaceS, where he presented "La confrérie des
moines volants", one of his latest novels. We will soon see more of Metin Arditi
in Armenia, as he has an interesting project going on.
Faisant le point : Metin Arditi
HR Giger - creator of monsters
Alien, the famous monster of Ridley Scott's and James Cameron's
Hollywood productions, is only one of his many uncanny visions.
HR Giger was at home where others have occasional nightmares. The
documentary movie "Dark Star - HR Gigers Welt" (2014) was shown to
Armenian fans for the first time at TUMO and the Mirzoyan Library in
November and December.
Our late Master, HR Giger
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Scholarship cooperation with LUYS Foundation
Swiss Government Scholarships are awarded every year in Armenia for PhD studies
and research projects. In cooperation with LUYS foundation, two talented young
Armenian researchers were awarded a Swiss government scholarship for the
academic year 2015-2016: Ani Hovhannisyan (psychology of law, St. Gallen
University) and Babken Asatryan (medicine, University of Bern). Our Swiss alumni
community is steadily growing, adding new talent every year.
A scholarship for her PhD on the psychology of the law:
Ani Hovhannisyan
Photovoltaic premiere in Spitak
A beautiful cooperation between Swiss donor CEVI Zurich, and engineering talent from Switzerland and Armenia resulted
in the first photovoltaic plant to actually feed surplus energy into the grid. The solar energy is produced 100%
environment-friendly. The 16kW plant was inaugurated by Ambassador Lukas Gasser and Deputy Minister of Energy
Hayk Harutunyan in May at the YMCA
building in Spitak. The plant not only
shows how promising solar energy can be
in Armenia, it also served as a pilot for the
forthcoming legal framework permitting a
viable feed-in to the Armenian grid for
small producers in the field of renewable
energy. Let's keep fingers crossed that the
National Assembly quickly approves this
piece of innovative legislation.
Our view to the future in Spitak
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Armenian Startups strong in Geneva
Swiss company Seedstars World and the Embassy of Switzerland organized
the second pitching event for IT startups in Armenia in May 2015. Last
year's Armenian winner SoloLearn went straight to garner the third prize in
the 2015 world finals in
Geneva. This again
propelled this young
company to new heights, and it was
recently cited by Silicon Valley’s Business
Journal as one of the 10 hottest startups
with under $10 million in funding. This year,
we have another promising winner: Yerevan-based startup
EyeCare Plus was chosen by the Seedstars World jury after a
tight pitching at the Ararat Valley Golf Club in Yerevan. They
will represent Armenia at the Seedstars World grand final in
March 2016 in Switzerland.
Strong pitch: EyeCare Plus
Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) - more than 25 years in Armenia
Armenian rescuers ready for international deployments
In September 2015, the Yerevan Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR) was successfully classified to become a
member of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) under the UN. SDC has been supporting the
establishment of a comprehensive disaster preparedness
system in the country since 2004. Six USAR Teams have been
trained and equipped in the country for effective response during
disasters.
Ready and certified: Armenian rescuers
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Cattle market opens in Syunik
On 16 May, 2015 an Animal Market opened in Syunik, southernmost province of
Armenia. The market was established under the “Livestock Development”
Project of SDC to stimulate cattle trade in the region. Since 2008 the project has
been supporting farmers in improving milk and meat production, veterinary services,
animal breeding, and other services supporting livestock development in the region.
Happy cows thanks to Swiss
cooperation in Syunik
Citizen offices offer better public services
In November and December 2015, Citizen Offices opened in Shinuhayr and Tumanyan communities of Armenia. The
offices centralize all municipal services in one building, according to the „one-stop-shop" principle, which shall simplify
access of citizens to public services. They will be equipped with a Municipal Management and Information System
(MMIS) in order to increase the efficiency of
municipal service delivery.
Bari galust in Shinuhayr
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The Swiss Abroad Act enters into force
On 7 October the Federal Council set the entry into force of the Swiss Abroad
Act for 1 November 2015 and adopted the Swiss Abroad Ordinance and the
Ordinance on Fees of the FDFA. The Act brings together in a single piece
of legislation the most important provisions on Swiss nationals living abroad.
The two ordinances contain provisions for its implementation. The new rules
take into account the increasing international mobility of Swiss citizens.
The following are of particular importance for Swiss nationals living abroad:
 GUICHET UNIQUE
The concept of the Guichet unique (single counter) is now codified in the Act, providing a one-stop shop for Swiss citizens with
questions about travel abroad and other matters of interest to Swiss nationals living abroad. The Guichet unique can provide
information and advice and if necessary direct the client to the competent office. It is a virtual counter service provided by the
relevant Swiss representations and the units responsible at head office in Bern, such as the FDFA Helpline (tel. +41 800 24 7
365). You can therefore continue to contact us or the FDFA Helpline at any time.
 OBLIGATION TO REGISTER
For Swiss citizens living abroad, registration with the competent representation remains mandatory. This is also the case for
changes in civil status. Registration with your representation is therefore still required and changes to civil status must
be notified. Please provide us with your email address so that we can contact you more easily.
 REGISTERING A CHANGE OF ADDRESS
The Act simplifies the procedure for registered persons to notify a change of address. If you move house abroad and acquire a
new domicile, simply inform the representation of your new address. The representation will then make the necessary change in
the Register of Swiss Citizens Abroad. When moving house abroad, you no longer need to de-register and re-register;
simply notify the change of address.
 POLITICAL RIGHTS
The previous rules for the exercising of political rights by Swiss citizens living abroad have been largely incorporated into the Act.
The law has been simplified in some details. You are now only entitled to exercise your political rights in the commune where you
were last domiciled in Switzerland. Swiss citizens living abroad who have never been domiciled in Switzerland can vote in their
commune of origin, or if the person has more than one commune of origin one of them can be chosen. However, nothing changes
for persons who are already registered in an electoral commune.
Furthermore, in its section in the Swiss Review the federal government provides official information concerning legal matters and
about upcoming elections and referendums. The Organisation for the Swiss Abroad will also publish information in the Review's
main section about referendums and elections. Other sources of information include Swissinfo and the public service television
and radio stations.
In addition, the procedure has been simplified: voters no longer have to renew their registration every four years. However, the
electoral commune can remove persons from the electoral register if the voting material is returned three times in a row because
the recipient could not be reached at the given address. You can continue to exercise your rights as before and keep
informed via the usual channels.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Act specifies that personal responsibility is the basis of the federal government's relationship with Swiss citizens whose rights
it guarantees and to whom it provides assistance. The federal government expects each and every citizen to exercise personal
responsibility in preparing their stay or conducting business abroad. Under the FDFA’s Ordinance on Fees, persons who a)
disregard the recommendations of the federal government, especially the travel advice and the individual recommendations of the
FDFA, b) violate the laws of the receiving state or c) lack adequate insurance cover or lose insurance cover because of a reason
for exclusion, are deemed to have acted negligently.
As before, plan well, travel well. Make sure that you are properly insured and consult the travel advices of the
FDFA!
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