This was assured by the Swiss Federal President Ignazio Cassis on Thursday during his inaugural visit to Vienna as part of a joint press conference with Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen. He regretted the current standstill “very much”.
Bern broke off negotiations on the framework agreement in May 2021. The European Commission is calling for new Swiss proposals in January. Cassis assured on Thursday in Vienna that Switzerland would continue to pursue the “bilateral path” in relation to the EU, for example with regard to the internal market. “Even if there are differences.” Van der Bellen stated that it was important for both sides that a workable agreement should be reached soon. The current situation is not advantageous for either side. “It is not that only Switzerland needs the EU,” argued Van der Bellen, “no, the EU also needs Switzerland.”
Video: The statement by Alexander Van der Bellen
The 60-year-old politician of the Swiss Liberals (FDP) took over the office of Federal President at the beginning of the year. On a bilateral level, he also met with European Minister Karoline Edtstadler and National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka (both ÖVP) on Thursday. There was no meeting with Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) because he was at the informal EU Foreign Ministers Council in France on Thursday. A personal meeting with Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) was also not possible because he has to isolate himself until the weekend due to a SARS-CoV-2 infection. But it was a phone call between Cassis and Nehammer planned, it said in the morning from the Federal Chancellery.
The Ticino Liberal (FDP) Cassis At the turn of the year, he replaced Economy Minister Guy Parmelin, who presided over the Confederation in 2021. The seven members of the Swiss collegial government (Federal Council) take turns in the office of president every calendar year. The Federal President takes on representative tasks and leads the cabinet meetings. The incumbents also remain ministers. Every year, the Swiss Federal Presidents traditionally make an inaugural visit to neighboring Austria in the first few weeks of their year in office. Both Federal Presidents assessed the fact that this tradition has been cultivated for many decades as a “sign of intense solidarity”. Cassis emphasized that in the past few years as Foreign Minister he had built up good and deep relationships, “like no other country.”
Video: The statement from Ignazio Cassis
In addition to the intensive economic ties (Van der Bellen: “Switzerland is Austria’s fourth largest trading partner”), there is also great overlap when it comes to questions relating to multilateralism, said Van der Bellen, citing the fight against climate change as an example. Both countries have an alpine character and are therefore affected by melting glaciers. Another topic of the talks in Vienna was the implementation of the “Strategic Partnership between Switzerland and Austria for the purpose of deepening bilateral relations”, which the now ex-Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) had agreed. This has already been brought to life with action plans for deeper cooperation, for example in the areas of sustainability, education and research, said Cassis. Further steps are to follow.
Another point of discussion was the next steps to deal with the corona pandemic. During the pandemic, the distinctly federalist Switzerland took less harsh measures than Austria in the past two years. Most recently, however, according to media reports, the Omikron infection numbers were almost twice as high as in Austria with almost 33,000 cases, without any major discussions. The Swiss government has deliberately chosen a middle path and weighed the “main effect of measures such as the restriction of individual freedom” against the risk of undesirable side effects. In doing so, a “calculated risk” is always taken into account. Van der Bellen pointed out that Switzerland could possibly only be “ten days” ahead of Austria in terms of the number of Omicron infections. It remains to be seen what the numbers will look like in the near future.
In terms of compulsory vaccination held Cassis in response to an APA request that such in Switzerland itself is contained and regulated in the Epidemic Act. However, the cantons are responsible for any implementation. So far, implementation of the compulsory vaccination has not yet appeared proportionate to any canton. Van der Bellen explained about the situation in Austria that once the assessment process has been completed, it is a matter of checking whether the relevant rules can be administered, for example in the case of possible penalties. In itself, the differences in the fight against corona in both countries are “moderate”, judged Van der Bellen. In principle, however, the pandemic showed “that good neighbors can rely on each other even under the most difficult of circumstances.” After all, Switzerland has never closed its borders to the numerous commuters from Austria. Cassis stated that in such cases it is not only about “economic areas, but also about living spaces”.
Wanted to continue Cassis in Vienna to discuss “international topicalities and cooperation in the multilateral area”, but also topics such as “science diplomacy”, which Switzerland would like to expand increasingly in the coming years. During the visit there were also meetings with the Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau and the Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Helga Schmid. Poland will hold the OSCE Chairmanship in 2022. The Swiss President stated that the talks are important: “It is important to me that this organization is strengthened in the face of tensions around the world.”
Video: The questions from the media representatives: inside
In the face of problems such as climate change or the “polarization between East and West”, Europe is facing difficult challenges, which the continent must face strongly. Switzerland wants to take on the role of bridge builder. Because of the tension in Central Asia (Kazakhstan) or the situation on the borders between Ukraine and Russia, there is cause for great concern. “We are in constant contact with everyone, with Russia, with Ukraine, with the USA. What we can do is bring people together,” said Cassiswho, together with Van der Bellen, also pointed out that both countries function as headquarters for international organizations.
Cassis also wanted to present the Swiss OSCE Action Plan 2022-2025 in Vienna. This defines Switzerland’s goals and priorities with regard to the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act in 2025. With this, Switzerland strives to preserve and at the same time revitalize previous OSCE achievements and thus contribute to strengthening the OSCE as a platform for Dialogue on European security, it said on the part of the Swiss Foreign Office. On the return journey from Vienna, the Federal President takes Cassis participated in the 50th International Lake Constance Conference on the Säntis. A bilateral meeting with the Liechtenstein Prime Minister Daniel Risch is planned there. Next week will Cassis expected in Berlin for an opening visit.
Source: Nachrichten
