Address by President Johann Schneider- Ammann at the New Year’s reception for the Diplomatic Corps
Bern, 13.01.2016 - Address by President Johann Schneider- Ammann, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, at the New Year’s reception for the Diplomatic Corps Bern, Federal Palace
Nuncio
Federal Councillor
President of the National Council
President of the Council of States
Excellencies
Ladies and gentlemen
Allow me, if you will, to begin by introducing the presidents of the parliamentary chambers, who have kindly given us permission to be here today. Christa Markwalder, the President of the National Council and Raphaël Comte, the President of the Council of States
I would like to thank you both for allowing us to host this event here in the Parliament Building.
Excellencies,
My thanks to you Nuncio, as doyen of the Diplomatic Corps, for your kind wishes and your call for peace and justice.
Ladies and gentlemen,
2015 was a turbulent year, which brought fear and uncertainty for many.
Crises, conflicts and terror were widespread. Terrorism, which was not so much a clash of cultures but an ‘attack against cultures'. Never since the Second World War have so many people been uprooted and displaced. The economies of many countries are also a cause of concern. Our own situation remains very good by comparison. And the debt crisis in parts of Europe has now eased somewhat. But the difficulties are far from over. That is reflected in the persistently weak value of the euro, which has also had an impact on our country: the strong value of the franc has been devastating for many businesses. Jobs have been cut or are at risk.
Perhaps you are aware that the president can - or rather is expected to - have a motto for the year in office. Mine is simply: ‘Working together for jobs and the country'. As a former industrialist, and now as minister of economic affairs, I have for many years been committed to seeing that as many people as possible have a job - and with it material security and social stability, or in other words, prospects. That remains my main goal during my year as president.
A decisive factor in achieving this ambition is to resolve the difficult, open questions regarding relations between Switzerland and the EU. Drawing on my motto, we want to resolve these questions together. Ladies and gentlemen, conflicts, refugee crises, terrorism and economic upheaval - the world is in turmoil. And yet, broadly speaking, Switzerland is doing well:
The people of this country live in freedom. We enjoy a high standard of living. Unemployment is low. Our education system is outstanding. People are safe, even though the risk of attacks in our country should not be underestimated.
The people of Switzerland are concerned about their liberty, prosperity and security. These concerns are genuine, they are legitimate and they must be taken seriously.
We have to find solutions to prevent that concern from turning to fear, for fear is a breeding ground for distrust. Fear fuels conflict and gives rise to populism. Fear paralyses, or it incites us to flee. It undermines our efforts to overcome the challenges we face.
Instead we need courage: courage to tackle these challenges together, even if this is a demanding task in light of their complexity. Belonging to a nation founded on a common will, we Swiss know the importance of finding the courage to reach out to find a compromise. It can only work if you approach your opposite number with respect and openness. Openness requires self-assurance; confidence in our strengths to be able to successfully shape our future. And confidence in the contribution we are able to make towards overcoming crises and to promoting peace, security and prosperity in the world.
As a liberal I am guided by the principle that with freedom comes responsibility. Making a contribution is not something we do as a favour, it is a duty.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Switzerland's relations with Europe will continue to be one of our foreign policy priorities in the coming year. The European Union is a key partner for our country - and vice versa. The EU also benefits from the large volume of trade, which amounts to a billion francs a day - and a trade surplus on the European side of tens of billions.
The cultural, historical and social ties are extremely strong, particularly with our neighbouring states. Switzerland's relations with the EU and its member states are vital for the country's standing as a location for business. Safeguarding the bilateral agreements is and remains of key importance for Switzerland's prosperity.
On 9 February 2014, a majority of Swiss voters and cantons came out in favour of the initiative against mass immigration, opting for a new system of immigration. Relations between Switzerland and the EU have since been more strained. Finding a solution will not be easy.
At the end of last year, the Federal Council presented a proposal on how to implement this constitutional obligation. Immigration by people under the agreement on the free movement of persons with the European Union would be controlled and limited by means of a safeguard clause. The Federal Council is hoping to reach an agreement on this solution with the EU. In parallel to the ongoing discussions with the EU, which we are actively pursuing, the option of a unilateral safeguard clause is also being examined in order to meet the constitutional obligation initiated by the People.
The Federal Council wants to secure and strengthen the bilateral path. On Friday, I will be meeting the president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, for the first time in my new function. I look forward to meeting him again and to constructive cooperation for the benefit of both sides.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Economic and political openness towards the world, combined with a deeply rooted desire to maintain our sovereignty - that has long been our self-assured and successful maxim.
This openness is none other than the response of a state that cannot build its prosperity on raw material deposits, but rather on international trade in goods, and whose international competitiveness is based less on economies of scale, but on quality. It is only by positioning itself as an attractive location that a country such as Switzerland can offer full employment, strong prospects and social security for all.
It is therefore logical that that education, research and innovation play a key role. Switzerland has a great deal to offer in that respect. As president, I place great importance on free trade, but also on international cooperation in education and research. Exchanges of goods, services, skills and ideas encourage competition and innovation - worldwide. They are all success factors in the Swiss model. But they are also the pillars of a sustainable world economic policy.
Maintaining this openness is the task of all states. You know that the World Trade Organization has no easy task in that regard. We should not be guided by barriers and hurdles: I invite you to continue to promote open markets. Open markets have had an enormous impact in recent years and continue to offer great opportunities for prosperity and development.
For competition and innovation to bear fruit for individuals and society, the right conditions have to be in place. That includes the right sets of rules. Let us strip away unnecessary rules that hamper trade, and only step in as states where it is really necessary. Sets of rules at national and international level need to be as efficient, smart and unbureaucratic as possible.
That way we can provide a framework, which allows people and businesses to maximise their potential, and offer protection where it is needed.
The rule of law, legal certainty, human rights and individual responsibility are the basis for a successful and liberal society. And they serve as guarantors for the proper functioning of international relations. Last year there were a number of notable achievements in that respect: At the Climate Conference in Paris last December, after years of difficult negotiations, 195 countries adopted an agreement legally binding for all states. In the autumn, the international community agreed on a set of universally applicable goals towards global sustainable development in the shape of Agenda 2030. Switzerland was strongly committed to both milestones - and it will continue that commitment in the implementation phase.
I can give a further example to demonstrate the importance of international rules: the stream of refugees from war-torn countries reflects the fact that international humanitarian law is not respected in conflicts. The suffering of civil society is enormous. Switzerland is working hard to achieve greater respect for international humanitarian law. And we uphold our humanitarian obligation to assist people forced to leave their homelands out of fear for their lives.
It is clear that as a small country our possibilities are limited. The crisis can only be tackled by working together with our European partners. Here too, respect for jointly agreed rules is key. We also expect that our rules are respected by those who find refuge in Switzerland.
Ladies and gentlemen
Switzerland is actively involved in building a more sustainable world on many levels. It works towards peace, security and prosperity. Thanks to our own political tradition of conciliation, Switzerland is a credible mediator and bridge builder in crises and conflicts:
- Even though we are no longer in the OSCE Troika, we will remain involved in Ukraine, both in a multilateral framework and through a bilateral programme. Security in Europe remains a priority.
- Switzerland will continue to offer its ‘good offices' and further expand its capacity for mediation. We also want to strengthen the standing of International Geneva. Because Geneva, through the expertise and spirit that exists there can offer a great deal to a world that faces manifold challenges. The decision taken by the UN General Assembly just before Christmas to adopt the plan to renovate the Palais des Nations, towards which Switzerland will grant a generous loan if Parliament accepts, is a strong and encouraging sign.
- Lastly, for Switzerland, fighting terrorism to preserve the security of all societies is not only a domestic policy priority, but a foreign policy priority too. In so doing, we focus on preventing radicalisation and violent extremism. It is a matter of providing young people in particular with prospects for the future - through economic development and higher employment. Or through cooperation in vocational education and training, a key factor in the success of our education
system - now almost one of our leading exports.
Excellencies
The world - and therefore Switzerland too - faces many crises and complex challenges. I am firmly convinced that only joint solutions can be effective. In this new year, it is a duty and an honour to play a part in overcoming these challenges.
On behalf of the Federal Council and the people of Switzerland, I have the honour of conveying to you and the countries you represent best wishes for the New Year, as well as for peace, security and prosperity.
Thank you.
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