Embassy of the United States Bern, Switzerland

U.S. Ambassador Donald S. Beyer, Jr. paid an official visit to the Swiss Canton of Fribourg on Tuesday, May 24th.  The Ambassador was received by all 7 members of the State Council as well as the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor. He was welcomed by Mr. Jutzet, the President of the Fribourg government, who highlighted not only the good and longstanding relations between the U.S. and Switzerland at the federal level but the fact that Fribourg has been a center for an "American College Program" that has brought over 6,000 students to the University of Fribourg, many of whom served in important roles in both countries. Mr. Jutzet also pointed out that the Canton is host to 35 American firms.

Mr. Beat Volanthen, director of the Canton’s economic development office then accompanied the Ambassador to a visit of one of those 35 firms, namely Verisign. Verisign chose Fribourg for its data center, which backs up similar centers in the United States in handling millions of internet infrastructure, registry, and encryption requests. Alf Tuvesson, VP of Verisign Switzerland (EMEA) welcomed the Ambassador and made a brief presentation followed by a tour of the facility and a reception with all or most of the 33 employees at the site.