Federal Councillor Burkhalter appeals for creative Swiss commitment to managing current crises and building a common future
Bern, 16.11.2015 - Switzerland must take responsibility in managing the major international challenges of our age, and is able to contribute on the basis of its independent, creative and bridge-building foreign policy. This was the message underlined by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, in his speech at the 'Forum for Economic Dialogue' in Zurich on 16 November 2015, in which he particularly emphasised the importance of prevention.
With an increase in violent armed conflict in countries neighbouring Europe, a rising number of terrorist incidents such as the bloody attacks in Paris on 13 November 2015, growing humanitarian need, the refugee crisis and the instability of global and regional order, the international community is facing multiple problems that mounting geopolitical tension is making all the harder to resolve. "When crisis becomes the normal state of affairs, international diplomacy is forced into permanent crisis mode," explained Mr Burkhalter today in a speech at the Forum for Economic Dialogue in Zurich. This difficult political context then has implications for foreign policy agendas, including that of Switzerland, he continued. At the same time, Mr Burkhalter emphasised that Switzerland can and should play a useful part in managing the various crises, as its independence opens up opportunities for bridge-building. This in turn can strengthen democracy and support political solutions. "Our way ahead lies in a strong desire to act, to be creative, and to be a shaping force, instead of becoming paralysed in fear and isolation," said Mr Burkhalter.
In view of the current refugee crisis, Mr Burkhalter stated that it was now vital for the refugees' countries of origin, transit and destination to work together closely and equally to take responsibility in order to defuse the situation. Switzerland has granted protection to over 9,000 refugees since the conflict began, he continued, and only a few weeks ago increased on-the-ground aid for the crises in Syria, Iraq and the Horn of Africa by CHF 70 million. Europe's difficulties should not tempt Switzerland to question the bilateral approach with the EU, Mr Burkhalter said. Instead, Switzerland must work alongside its European partners to develop responses to the shared challenges of migration, although he stressed that, once action has been decided, it is just as important to implement it effectively.
With a view to the many crises in the world today, Mr Burkhalter underlined the need for concrete preventive action, for example to block the rise of violent extremism. He explained that this is why Switzerland supports the Geneva-based Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), which sponsors local initiatives in countries struck by violent extremism to protect members of risk groups against radicalisation and recruitment by terrorist groups and networks. Mr Burkhalter also stated that prevention should also include support on the development cooperation front in areas such as vocational education and training and peacebuilding. Switzerland would therefore be expanding its mediation capacity, he said.
Mr Burkhalter also described the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a response to global challenges, as they will further alleviate poverty, reduce violent extremism, and address the causes of displacement. Mr Burkhalter emphasised that commitment to a stable and just international order, to international organisations that have the capacity to act and to international law remained priorities for Swiss foreign policy. Amid all of its commitments to managing the current crises, Switzerland also had both the desire and the duty to help develop responses to global challenges in areas such as climate change and water conflicts, he continued. Switzerland would continue to work in the future to promote dialogue and support the development of common solutions to prevent violent extremism and to further globalisation in a way that would allow prosperity and security to flourish worldwide. "Our aim is to enable our generation and future generations to live a life of dignity," said Mr Burkhalter.
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