Reacting to reports about Russian spying in Switzerland, Foreign Affairs Minister Ignazio Cassis has pledged to raise the issue with his counterpart Sergey Lavrov next week.
This content was published on
2 minutes
SRF/SDA-ATS/dos
Speaking to Swiss public broadcaster SRF on Monday, Cassis said that the level of espionage being conducted by Russia was “beyond the usual level of activity”, and that he would discuss the issue with Moscow’s foreign minister next week.
“We have already had various bilateral discussions this year, on various levels, in which we made it clear what Switzerland would not tolerate,” said Cassis. However, he also said that a balance must be found between “speaking plainly” and continuing to foster relations with Russia.
In recent weeks, he confirmed, the Swiss foreign ministry took the step of refusing to grant accreditation to several Russian diplomats.
The Swiss foreign ministry also said it had summoned the Russian ambassador on Sunday to demand an “immediate end to spy activities on Swiss territory”. The Russian embassy has dismissed the allegations.
Citing unnamed sources, Swiss and Dutch papers had said the suspected agents were on route for the Spiez laboratory near Bern, which analyses chemical and biological weapons, including the nerve agent Novichok, the same that Britain says Russia used to try to murder a former spy.
Cassis did not comment in detail on the Spiez incident, saying that the FIS retained control over the precise details of the planned attack and that he was not fully informed.
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
Swiss study predicts rise in global antibiotic use in farming
This content was published on
Global antibiotic use in livestock farming could rise by 2040, says a study by FAO and the University of Zurich. Switzerland expects minimal change.
Initiative calls for 36-week parental leave in Switzerland
This content was published on
The initiative proposes 18 weeks of non-transferable leave per parent, to be taken alternately within ten years of implementation.
Over a quarter of Swiss Catholics consider leaving the church
This content was published on
In Switzerland 27% of Catholics have thought about leaving the church, according to a survey by the Sotomo research centre.
This content was published on
Following the Credit Suisse debacle, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) is adapting its organisation.
This content was published on
The Swiss Armed Forces are training their fighter jets in Bern to fly from a civilian base. The exercise at Bern Airport will last until Wednesday.
Plans materialise for new particle accelerator in Geneva
This content was published on
Preparations for a huge new particle accelerator in Geneva have reached a milestone. After several years of work, a feasibility study for the project has now been finalised.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Russian agents ‘tried to spy on Swiss chemicals lab’
This content was published on
Media report: two Russian agents suspected of trying to spy on a Swiss laboratory were arrested in the Netherlands and expelled early this year.
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Council has reported an increase in foreign espionage, particularly aided by technology and by spies posing as diplomats.
Salisbury nerve attackers reportedly had Swiss connection
This content was published on
Two Russian suspects in the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter reportedly travelled to Geneva at least six times just before the attack.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.