US secretary of state on closer relations with Switzerland
RTS
In an interview with Swiss public television, RTS, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has offered insight into Swiss-American relations — and why they have become remarkably closer.
The interview was broadcast on Monday evening. RTS journalist Darius Rochebin posed the questions in French; Pompeo answered in English. Scroll past the video below for a transcript of the questions specifically about Swiss-American relations:
External Content
RTS: Relations between the US and Switzerland have become closer, remarkably closer. What is the reason for this?
Mike Pompeo: I think it’s very simple. We share a set of common values. The Trump administration believes that the best countries to continue to grow a relationship with are those that have the shared understanding of freedom and democracy of liberty. Switzerland certainly has that. So we want to grow our economic ties, our security ties, all of the elements that make the two countries each more secure and more economically prosperous.
RTS: Is the fact that Switzerland does not belong to the EU a positive factor for you?
MP: What’s most important is that we find common ways to work together. Whether you’re in the EU or out of the EU, we want to develop these relationships that make Switzerland more economically successful and America as well.
RTS: Is Switzerland different from your point of view?
MP: Sometimes it’s a little bit easier to work with countries that don’t have the EU overlay. There’s no doubt about that. You have more capacity to make decisions more quickly. We appreciate that. But we work with many countries inside of the EU to develop relationships with them as well.
RTS: You spoke of Iran. Have you given Bern a telephone number where Iranians can call your President, Donald Trump, directly?
MP: Switzerland has done remarkable work, that we’re very appreciative of, in being our protective power there in Iran. But as for the phone number, I think Iran knows how to reach us if they’re ready. And when they’re ready we’re ready to have a conversation with them as well.
They haven’t called yet?
MP: Not yet.
More
More
Swiss ask US to ease aid deliveries to Iran
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Minister Cassis has called on the US to facilitate the provision of aid to Iran to de-escalate tensions between the US and Iran.
Swiss university graduates are popular hires worldwide
This content was published on
Graduates of Swiss universities are popular with international employers, according to the Global Employability University Rankings.
French cross-border workers in Switzerland fear ‘discriminatory’ unemployment reform
This content was published on
In the French region around Geneva, cross-border workers are protesting proposals to cut unemployment benefits for those working in Switzerland.
Swan infected with bird flu in central Switzerland
This content was published on
Switzerland has reported its first bird flu case of the season. A swan found dead in central Switzerland tested positive for the H5N1 virus.
Swiss researchers identify gene variants linked to cancer progression
This content was published on
ETH Zurich researchers explored genetic mutations’ effects on cell function and their role in cancer development and treatment using CRISPR/Cas techniques.
Explosion at Swiss company Givaudan’s US plant leaves two dead
This content was published on
Swiss flavour and fragrance maker Givaudan reported that an explosion at its Kentucky plant resulted in two deaths and several injuries.
Swisscom’s Vodafone Italia takeover cleared by Italian telecoms authority
This content was published on
Swisscom is one step closer to its planned acquisition of Vodafone Italia, as the Italian communications regulator has approved the €8 billion deal.
Swiss parliamentary committee proposes foreign aid cuts and military funding boost
This content was published on
A committee of the Swiss House of Representatives has proposed increasing funds for the military and agriculture while reducing foreign aid and asylum.
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
US top diplomat sets foot in Swiss capital
This content was published on
American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has paid a private visit to the Swiss capital, Bern, ahead of attending the Bilderberg forum in Montreux.
This content was published on
Switzerland is hosting some of the Western world’s top players in government and business at the secretive Bilderberg meeting. What’s it all about?
This content was published on
Swiss President Ueli Maurer’s meeting with Donald Trump was a unique bilateral event at a moment of increasing tensions between the US and Iran.
Switzerland to represent US interests in Venezuela
This content was published on
Switzerland is to represent the interests of the United States in Venezuela, under a “good offices” agreement between the two countries.
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Affairs Minister Ignazio Cassis talks possible free-trade agreement and Venezuela while in the United States.
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.