Cassis condemns the Ukraine war – look
Federal President Ignazio Cassis speaks to the UN General Assembly in New York and insists on Swiss neutrality.
“Let me make it clear that this alleged aggression violates the most elementary principles of the charter,” said the Federal President, appealing to Russia to end the war and violence in Ukraine immediately.
The consequences of this war would affect the whole world. They would be in addition to the many other global ones the UN must not forget, Cassis said.
The Federal President also insisted that Switzerland is a neutral country. “We take it upon ourselves to uphold the principles of freedom, democracy and the rule of law – values that are enshrined in our federal constitution,” Cassis said.
Almost no continent is spared from armed conflicts today. “This is unbearable and should alarm us: serious human rights violations are a harbinger of a possible escalation of violence and instability,” warned the Federal President.
He recalled that 20 years ago Switzerland spoke for the first time as a full member of the United Nations. Switzerland is the only country that has joined the UN through a referendum.
The yes of the Swiss shows the agreement between the values and goals of the United Nations and those of Switzerland. “That’s why we feel so closely connected to the United Nations Charter,” Cassis said.
The principles laid down in the charter are more important today than ever. “We live in a turning point – for ourselves, for the Charter of the United Nations and for the entire planet,” said the Federal President.
Cassis thanked the assembly for the strong mandate that Switzerland was entrusted with by being elected to the Security Council. When working in the Council, Switzerland attaches particular importance to greater participation by women in peace processes. She wants to work to protect the civilian population and to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law and human rights.
The Security Council should also become more efficient, show greater transparency in its work and involve all relevant actors.
Cassis identified increasing food insecurity, high energy prices, energy security, climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution as challenges that urgently need to be addressed. The coronavirus pandemic and its serious economic and social consequences have not yet been overcome.
“Finding transformative solutions to difficult challenges together” is/is? the topic of this year’s general debate. There is a culture of compromise in Switzerland. Problems would be tackled and solved in dialogue.
Through international Geneva, Switzerland contributes to the dialogue. Geneva is the center of multilateral diplomacy, said the Federal President. The UN is a unique platform for dialogue and cooperation that should be used to the full. In multilateralism it is important to have the courage to stay the course, said Cassis. (SDA)