Focus of President Amherd’s talks at Davos on European policy, security matters and economic development
Bern, 18.01.2024 - President Viola Amherd met with around a dozen heads of state and government for lengthy bilateral talks at this year’s WEF Annual Meeting where discussions focused on Switzerland's relations with European countries and the European Union (EU), the security situation in Europe and the Middle East, and economic development. In the run-up to the Annual Meeting, President Amherd met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang.
President Amherd discussed European policy issues and the security situation on the continent with, among others, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the presidents of Poland and Latvia, Andrzej Duda and Edgars Rinkēvičs, the prime minister of Luxembourg, Luc Frieden, and the defence minister of the Netherlands, Kajsa Ollongren. With regard to Switzerland's aim of stabilising and further developing relations with the EU, President Amherd took time to explain the Federal Council's decision of 15 December to adopt a draft negotiation mandate and launch consultation proceedings, as well as the next steps. She emphasised that the results of the exploratory talks form a solid and balanced basis for commencing negotiations.
Security matters and crisis in Ukraine and the Middle East
At her meeting with UN Secretary General António Guterres, the main subject of discussion was the future of multilateralism, while security issues were the focus of talks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren.
President Amherd and the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, discussed humanitarian crises, particularly with regard to Ukraine and the Middle East. In addition to bilateral relations, the Middle East conflict was also a topic of discussion during talks with Tunisian Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani.
The meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, which was also attended by Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), was dedicated to international issues and, in particular, economic cooperation between the two countries. The delegations discussed the status of the ongoing negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
Economic matters and climate protection
The ongoing free trade talks with EFTA were also on the agenda during the exchange with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Furthermore, both sides commended the bilateral agreement on climate protection signed in 2022. Under the agreement, Switzerland and Thailand last December became the first countries in the world to transfer emission reductions achieved in Thailand (Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes).
During talks with Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene, both sides commended the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. They emphasised the desire to make use of the contacts established during the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation's (SDC) engagement in Mongolia between 2004 and 2024.
Meeting with Chinese premier and Ukrainian president
Meetings were held in Bern prior to the WEF Annual Meeting with the Ukrainian president and the prime minister of China. During a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, bilateral relations and the peace formula took centre stage. At President Zelenskyy's request, Switzerland agreed to organise a high-level summit on the peace formula.
The exchange with Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang centred on foreign and economic relations. This included the dialogue between the Chinese and Swiss foreign ministries, which is to be resumed this year. Among other things, the dialogue will focus on development cooperation, mediation and human rights.
Visit to troops
As well as attending high-level political meetings, President Viola Amherd also paid a visit to members of the armed forces on duty in the Davos area and learnt about their contribution to the security of the event. She thanked the armed forces and emergency services for their commitment.
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