Switzerland takes risks with Bürgenstock Conference
Published: Sunday, Jun 2nd 2024, 20:40
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Switzerland is taking risks by organizing the peace conference on Ukraine on the Bürgenstock. FDFA Head of Information Nicolas Bideau said this on RTS radio in French-speaking Switzerland on Sunday. But the Confederation has a duty to "push for peace", he explained.
When asked about the rejection and China's criticism, Bideau stated on behalf of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) that everyone actually wanted the same thing: To stop talking about war and instead talk about peace.
Although there has been talk of war since the 160 invitations to the conference were sent out, peace has been put on the international agenda.
We cannot wait for the weapons to fall silent, said Bideau. It was time to move the whole world towards a common language of peace. And that is what Switzerland wants to try to do.
The discussions on the Bürgenstock would revolve around essential topics. Food security, nuclear security, prisoner exchanges. None of this could wait.
The FDFA spokesperson rejects the accusation that the summit is too Western-oriented. Around 80 countries have confirmed their participation, half of them from Europe. In addition, the Global South was also represented, he said in response to China's criticism.
Switzerland is not at the mercy of Ukraine and is impartially committed to the idea of peace. The invitation provided an opportunity to discuss all peace plans. The results of the conference would be measured by the quality of the declarations made and the representativeness of the states present. This also entails risks, said Bideau.
He recalled that the FDFA had been in contact with Beijing since February and that China had initially welcomed Switzerland's initiative for the conference. The government in Beijing had set three conditions for participation on the Bürgenstock, one of which was the presence of Russia.
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