GENEVA, June 12. /TASS/. Switzerland welcomes the summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden taking place in Geneva on June 16 and is convinced that dialogue between the two great powers is necessary for solving interstate and global challenges, Swiss President Guy Parmelin said in an exclusive interview with TASS.

"Switzerland has a long tradition of good offices and is very much looking forward to hosting the two Heads of State in Geneva," the president said ahead of the summit, noting that "Switzerland is pleased to once again be the venue for such a high-level meeting and to enjoy the confidence of both parties."

The president stressed that Bern "has maintained good relations with both countries for many years and cultivates an open and transparent policy of dialogue." "Switzerland is convinced that a constructive dialogue between the two great powers is also necessary and very useful for the solution of interstate and global challenges," he said.

In reply to a question if everything was prepared for the Putin-Biden summit, Parmelin said: "Preparations, in close contact with the Russian and American delegations, are underway. We will be ready.".