“I am against taking measures that lead to fresh problems elsewhere and further aggravate the global crisis,” he said in an interview with Schweiz am WochenendeExternal link published on Saturday.
If the European Union decides to implement these sanctions, the Swiss Federal Council (government) would have to analyse the move carefully to take into account the global side effects, Parmelin said
He therefore advised “caution” when it came to targeting commodity trading.
“Because this is not just about oil and gas, it is also about food,” Parmelin explained. Countries like Jordan, Tunisia and Egypt buy 50% to 90% of their grain needs from Ukraine or Russia. “If ships are blocked because of an embargo, many countries in the Middle East are at risk of hunger and destabilisation.”
But Switzerland could consider joining in if the EU decided that member states should keep a certain percentage of scarce goods from their reserves for third countries, Parmelin added.
Ukrainian harvest important
Parmelin called for a ceasefire in Ukraine as soon as possible. “Not only because of the war victims. But also because otherwise there’s the risk that crops won’t be sown in time in Ukraine. A crop failure this year would have serious consequences for global grain supplies,” he explained.
About 80% of Russia’s commodities are traded through Switzerland, making it critical to Russian exports, media reports say. Switzerland is also a major hub for Russian and Ukrainian grain and vegetable oil trading.
Neutral Switzerland last month decided to join the European Union’s sweeping economic sanctions against Russian individuals and entities – in an historic step for the country. But Swiss sanctions have not specifically targeted commodities. On Friday, the EU unveiled a fourth set of sanctions against Russia.
In related news, between 3,000 and 5,000 people demonstrated on Saturday in the Swiss capital for peace in Ukraine. They also called for an import ban on Russian gas in Switzerland.
More
More
Swiss trading hub adapts to new wartime reality
This content was published on
After Switzerland joined EU sanctions targeting Russia, its commodities trading sector is having to face up to new economic realities.
Beer sales in Switzerland watered down by bad weather
This content was published on
The past brewing year fell through in Switzerland, partly due to the bad weather. Beer sales shrank again. For the first time, per capita consumption fell below the 50 liter mark.
Compensation for Syrian after pregnant wife denied help on Swiss train
This content was published on
Switzerland’s Federal Court has partially upheld the appeal of a Syrian family being deported from Switzerland to Italy in 2014. The man now also receives compensation.
Swiss-EU negotiations: Cassis to meet Sefcovic in Bern
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis will meet the Vice-President of the EU Commission, Maros Sefcovic, in Bern on Wednesday.
Heavy snowfall in Switzerland causes traffic chaos and accidents
This content was published on
The heavy snowfall late on Thursday and during the night into Friday led to traffic chaos and many accidents in many regions of Switzerland.
Chimpanzee behaviours passed down through generations
This content was published on
Some of the complex behaviours of chimpanzees have been passed down and refined over generations. These include the combination of several tools for foraging.
More than 600,000 rounds of Swiss sniper ammunition reach Ukraine
This content was published on
Sniper ammunition from Swiss P Defence reached Ukraine via a Polish company in July 2023, reported SRF Investigativ on Thursday, citing official information.
Switzerland launches national digital inclusion alliance
This content was published on
The Swiss government launched the Swiss Digital Inclusion Alliance on Thursday with the goal of giving as many people as possible access to digital services.
Swiss multinationals under pressure to untangle ties with Russia
This content was published on
Swiss companies are distancing themselves from Russia following the deadly attacks on Ukraine and subsequent economic sanctions.
This content was published on
Our daily lives depend on it, yet commodity trading is an opaque business. Here's how Switzerland came to play an important role in this industry.
Ukraine: What Swiss sanctions-busters need to consider
This content was published on
The Swiss attitude is similar to the one it took during the Second World War, the Cold War and Apartheid, writes lawyer Mark Pieth.
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.