A huge thank you from Andreas Wieland to Federal Councilor Cassis

It’s always a pleasure to be in the canton of Graubünden (Grisons), remarks Swiss Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis on Monday during his visit to Hamilton AG in Bonaduz. “I last visited Bonaduz several years ago and I remember the lunch best of all: the exquisite Capuns [a traditional food from the canton of Graubünden].” Cassis laughs, and so does his host, Andreas Wieland, CEO of Hamilton AG. Together with Cantonal Councilor Marcus Caduff he has just welcomed the federal councilor. “Your visit is the highlight of 2021”, Andreas says in his address to Councilor Cassis, taking advantage of the opportunity to thank the foreign minister personally for the efforts that he and his department made during the pandemic. Specifically, for the fact that he helped to ensure that the necessary components for the ventilators could be delivered to Switzerland.

Councilor Cassis also reflected back on this period and spoke of his “special role” as foreign minister. “All of a sudden, I was constantly on the telephone with the foreign ministers of the EU Member States, Morocco, Sri Lanka and India to obtain authorizations for flights carrying freight, or to bring Swiss citizens who happened to be stranded abroad back to Switzerland.” His department became like a travel agency and “I learned so much and I now know what I could potentially do in my next life”, remarks Councilor Cassis.

From Bonaduz to Ilanz

Before Federal Councilor Cassis set off for his next appointment in Ilanz, he took a further tour through the plant and chatted with the staff.