Policy Synergy for Closer Partnership and Connectivity
Bern, 15.05.2017 - OBOR summit, Leaders Roundtable, Session I, President of the Swiss Confederation Doris Leuthard, Beijing, 15 mai 2017
Dear President Xi Jinping
Dear colleagues
Allow me at the outset to thank you, President Xi, for your warm welcome to Beijing for this first Forum on the Belt and Road Initiative.
Your speech of yesterday concretised your vision of a revival of the old silk road.
Switzerland wishes to reaffirm its conviction that the countries of the world have no option other than to engage in dialogue and cooperation.
The Belt and Road Initiative provides a framework for greater international cooperation for the benefit of all. As part of this cooperation, technical norms are being harmonized and becoming internationally applicable. When it comes to standards, the recommendations or rules endorsed by international organizations, such as multilateral development banks, can serve as guidance. We therefore welcome the fact that China is seeking to work with international organizations in implementing the Belt and Road Initiative. Taking international norms and standards as a reference will help facilitate and improve the mutual understanding of the countries along the Belt and Road. Better connectivity will facilitate trade relations and exchanges between people, create jobs and lead to better recognition of our values. It will contribute to prosperity and in turn help improve stability and peace. The initiative should go hand in hand with more open markets and free trade.
Switzerland’s government and private sector are ready to play their part in the different stages of the Belt and Road Initiative, in particular:
1. Project financing, which needs to meet high standards of governance and transparency. The funding should be principles-based and see both multilateral institutions and private investors contributing and leading.
2. Development and building of innovative infrastructure, which needs to be well coordinated among stakeholders and respect internationally agreed technical, environmental and social standards.
3. Insurance and reinsurance of newly built infrastructure to ensure their long and productive lifespan.
Ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues
Over the years, my country has developed a robust network of roads and railways. Given Switzerland’s mountainous topography, we have always been obliged to be innovative in order to find adequate sustainable solutions – last year we opened the world’s longest and deepest railway tunnel. In doing so Switzerland demonstrated its commitment to the rail corridor connecting northern and southern Europe. The trans-European network (TEN-T) is an example of modern interoperability in Europe. We learned also how important electricity and telecom infrastructure is on national as well as on crossborder level. These experiences could also be helpful for the realization of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Switzerland’s private sector has a long tradition of and strong expertise in planning and managing large infrastructure projects. It will also be able to provide its knowhow in funding, investment advice and risk management, including offering adequate insurance and reinsurance products.
Switzerland stands ready to share its expertise in order to help create better connectivity between Asia, Europe and other parts of the world.
Address for enquiries
Communication DETEC, +41 58 462 55 11
Publisher
General Secretariat of the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications; General Secretariat DETEC
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