The Head of State His Excellency Paul BIYA granted audience to the President of the Swiss Council of States, Mr. Filippo LOMBARDI, on 18 November 2013 for discussions that were centred round the experiences of both countries in the setting up of their Senates and professional training for youths.

Speaking to the press shortly after the audience that lasted over one hour, the Swiss President happily declared that he had fruitful discussions with the Head of State. Filippo LOMBARDI indicated that he explained the working of the Swiss Senate to President Paul BIYA, and promised total collaboration with the Senate of Cameroon that has just been set up. He said that a bi-cameral parliament always takes a long time to function well, as it requires a meticulous, step by step procedure to put all the structures into place.

Filippo LOMBARDI said that their discussions also dwelt on professional training for youths, a domain in which the Swiss have a lot of experience. Such training will concern mostly fields of agriculture, services, commerce, etc. The training period usually for between three and four years at the end of which the youths can be employed in companies and immediately be operational.

The Swiss President was accompanied to the audience by the Swiss Ambassador to Cameroon, Claude ALTERNATT.