“The first two foreign policy goals are independence and prosperity according to our constitution. And who else but the business ensures prosperity,” Cassis told public radio SRF.
Observers say the statement appears to pre-empt criticism of a planned policy shift.
Cassis who has been foreign minister since 2017 has been criticised for some of his policy statements, notably over Swiss development aid.
Switzerland’s future foreign policy should become more targeted, more interconnected and less reactive, according to a report commissioned by the foreign ministry.
The paper is to serve as basis for the government’s foreign policy strategy for the next four years.
Presenting the findings to the public on Tuesday, Cassis also said his ministry was willing to examine a request by the Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross to store data safely in Switzerland.
The document analyses the challenges and proposes options to consolidate Switzerland’s position in an increasingly unstable world, according to a government statementExternal link.
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‘The more we take democracies for granted, the less prepared we are to defend them’
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The Swiss foreign minister says human rights and democracy remain at the heart of Switzerland’s agenda, as the UN human rights declaration turns 70.
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EU cuts aid to Hungary, Switzerland continues to pay
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Earlier this year, the European Commission withdrew planned EU aid to Hungary because of violations of the rule of law. Switzerland shares the EU's doubts, but continues to pay its cohesion contribution to Hungary.
‘One million stars’ against poverty light up Swiss parliament square
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Swiss charity Caritas lit thousands of candles on parliament square in Bern on Saturday evening to mark the "A Million Stars" solidarity campaign, a reminder that many people in Switzerland still live in poverty.
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The Eurovision Song Contest shows are in high demand, with the result that profiteers are hoping to make a quick franc by buying up lots of tickets.
Former Swiss finance minister slams report on Credit Suisse collapse
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Former Swiss Finance Minister Ueli Maurer has criticised a parliamentary report on UBS's takeover of Credit Suisse, rejecting accusations that he hid the seriousness of the situation from the government.
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Researchers in Zurich have developed an electricity-free dehumidifier. It is a building element that allows walls and ceilings to absorb moisture from the air and store it temporarily.
Swiss man found dead in Iranian prison had allegedly collected soil samples
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The Swiss man who died in an Iranian prison is said to have secretly taken soil samples beforehand, according to Iranian media.
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Hackers have attacked the Swiss federal administration. Among other things, telephones, email and various federal websites and specialist applications were affected.
More and more Swiss celebrities and institutions leaving X
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The short messaging service X has also lost its reputation in Switzerland. More and more personalities and institutions are turning their backs on tech billionaire Elon Musk's platform.
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Swiss aid ‘too focused on stopping migration’
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Swiss development aid should concentrate more on the needs of its partner countries and less on stopping migration, says the OECD.
Swiss foreign minister defends controversial Palestinian comments
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“This allows the Swiss people to ask themselves what our country is doing and perhaps come to the conclusion that it is the best way forward at the moment,” he told Swiss public radio RTS. In a newspaper interview earlier this month, Cassis said the UN Palestinian Relief and Works Agency UNRWA has become part…
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The Swiss government has reduced by CH30 million ($30.2 million) its financial contribution to UN agencies over the next three years.
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As part of his five-day trip to Africa, Swiss Foreign Affairs Minister Ignazio Cassis visited a copper mine. Now he faces criticism.
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Multilateralism is in crisis, but remains important for Switzerland, foreign minister Ignazio Cassis has told the press in New York.
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