Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has played down chances of his neutral country embracing Western sanctions against China over its human rights record. He also says Switzerland won’t rush into “rash decisions” with the European Union.
This content was published on
3 minutes
Reuters/Keystone-SDA/ts
Português
pt
Suíços seguem “caminho especial” com a China, diz Ministro do Exterior
“It’s a balancing act. On the one hand, we have difficult discussions with China about human rights, but on the other hand, the country is an important partner in economic and other issues,” Cassis said in an interviewExternal link with the Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) published on Tuesday.
“We want to take a special path that lets us hold summit meetings in Geneva like the one between Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin or peace talks. We cannot play the role of bridge-builder if we always sing along in the chorus with other countries.”
The Swiss government has been discussing whether to adopt human rights sanctions which the EU imposed on China in March.
“The issue is on the table. The lead is with the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. From a foreign policy perspective, the question is whether Switzerland wants to continue to play a role as an honest broker or whether it automatically wants to follow the EU. For me, the answer is clearly the first,” Cassis said.
In 1950 Switzerland was one of the first Western countries to recognise Communist China. Since 2010 China has been its biggest trading partner in Asia and its third-largest partner globally after the European Union and the United States. A bilateral free-trade agreement took effect in July 2014.
More
More
Switzerland unveils its first China strategy
This content was published on
The Swiss government says its first ever China strategy is intended to create “greater coherence” in its relations with Beijing.
In the same interview Cassis said Switzerland had to clarify its domestic priorities concerning the EU without pressure. He said patience was needed and Switzerland was working “intensively” to establish a new dialogue with the EU.
“First we have to find out what we want and what price we’re willing to pay,” Cassis told the NZZ. “The last thing we need right now are rash decisions.”
He warned that the government must not fall into the same trap as in 2013, when the negotiating mandate for the framework agreement was decided. “There should be no more negotiations based on the principle of hope,” he said.
On Monday Cassis will travel to Brussels for talks with Maros Sefcovic, the EU Commissioner who is newly responsible for the continuing dialogue with Switzerland. Cassis said the aim of the trip was to get to know Sefcovic and to determine a mutual position.
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
Mozambique’s former finance minister sentenced for fraud involving Credit Suisse loans
This content was published on
The former finance minister of Mozambique, Manuel Chang, has been sentenced by a US court for his role in the so-called "tuna bonds" fraud scandal.
Swiss telecoms firm develops drone network with the help of Nokia
This content was published on
Swisscom is to reinforce a nationwide network of drones, to enable automated flights for surveillance purposes in particular.
This content was published on
According to a new study, teachers are satisfied with their colleagues, classes and lessons, but have a more sober view of inclusive schooling.
This content was published on
Switzerland has criticised Bezalel Smotrich's comment that starving the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip “might be justified and moral”.
Canadian North Korea expert reportedly detained in Switzerland on espionage charges
This content was published on
A former UN official from Canada who now works as a North Korea specialist has been detained on charges of spying, media reports said on Thursday.
Swiss franc rally supercharged by search for safe havens
This content was published on
The wave of risk aversion that ripped through markets at the start of the week has supercharged the currency’s appreciation.
Immigration to Switzerland drops slightly in first half of 2024
This content was published on
In the first six months of the year, net immigration fell by 5.9% year-on-year to 40,963 people, Swiss authorities said on Thursday.
Swiss researchers identify sources of smog in Beijing
This content was published on
The origins of smog in the Chinese capital differ between summer and winter, found researchers from the Paul Scherrer Institute.
Brussels welcomes release of Swiss ‘cohesion payment’
This content was published on
The European Union has welcomed the Swiss parliament’s decision to unconditionally release the second cohesion contribution.
‘Glass half full’ rating for Swiss-Chinese trade deal
This content was published on
The Sino-Swiss free trade agreement saved companies CHF100 million in customs duties last year, but not all firms are convinced.
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.