Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
Bern, 13.01.2023 - Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travelled to Washington, D.C. on 13 January and met with his US counterpart Antony Blinken. The meeting centred on cooperation within the UN Security Council and bilateral relations.
After participating in the United Nations Security Council debate on the rule of law in New York on 12 January, the head of Swiss diplomacy continued his visit in the United States. In Washington, he discussed Switzerland's priorities for its term on the Security Council with the head of the US State Department, Antony Blinken. The need to improve rule of law in relation to the sanctions regimes was emphasised in particular. "I am confident that by working with the United States we will be able to make faster progress on this key issue for Switzerland within the UN Security Council," said Cassis.
Cassis and Blinken also discussed their countries' flourishing bilateral relations. In line with its Americas Strategy for 2022–25, the Federal Council is seeking to step up cooperation with the United States in matters of foreign policy. The United States is Switzerland's second most important trading partner after the European Union. The meeting also touched on education, research and new technologies. Swissnex locations in Boston, New York and San Francisco and several scientific and economic agreements, including the recent memorandum of understanding on quantum research, are a reflection of the close scientific ties between the two countries.
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