Swiss involvement in Ukraine dossier helps EU negotiations
Published: Thursday, Jan 18th 2024, 15:40
Updated At: Thursday, Jan 18th 2024, 15:40
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Switzerland's involvement in the Ukraine dossier could have a positive impact on negotiations with the EU. President Viola Amherd said this after her meetings on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos GR. If the European states see Switzerland's efforts to stabilize the crises, this will support the negotiations with the EU.
The global security situation and geopolitical challenges were always a topic of discussion during the dozens of talks with government representatives from various countries, Amherd said on Thursday at a media conference in Davos. This applies in particular to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Amherd also used the meetings to campaign for the Ukraine peace summit, as she herself said. She will also use "every opportunity" during her trips to Vienna next week and then to New York to promote the event. Work has now begun. The date of the summit, which according to a source in the Federal Administration is to take place in Geneva, is still unclear.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the announcement of the peace summit for Ukraine. "This is one of the useful initiatives," Macron told the Keystone-SDA news agency in Davos on Wednesday. At the meeting with Amherd, Macron congratulated her on her commitment to the Ukraine dossier. She had also received positive feedback on Switzerland's good offices at other meetings, Amherd said on Thursday.
Charm offensive in the EU dossier
This effort could now pay off. Switzerland wants to negotiate a package of agreements with the EU this year. The Federal Council adopted a negotiating mandate in mid-December. Five days later, the EU Commission published its draft mandate.
After months of discussions at a technical level, all six members of the Federal Council present at the WEF met with EU representatives. Amherd even agreed with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to speak on the phone in individual cases if there was a need. In the meantime, the responsible offices had also done a good job and the EU dossier was progressing "very well", said the President of the Swiss Confederation.
Create trust
Overall, according to Amherd, Switzerland took the opportunity at the WEF to contribute to finding solutions in various dossiers and to create trust - in line with the motto of the annual meeting "Rebuilding Trust".
Relations with Russia remain difficult, not least because of the EU sanctions, which Switzerland also supports. Following the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Switzerland, the Russian group "No Name" also carried out a cyberattack on the Federal Administration.
Amherd reiterated Switzerland's position on Thursday. "We are always on the side of international law," she told the media. The interests of the civilian population are always at the heart of Switzerland's efforts, including those of the Russian population in the war in Ukraine.
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