New Year's reception for the diplomatic corps

Nuncio

Federal Councillor

Mr Page, President of the National Council

Mr Engler, President of the Council of States

Excellencies

Ladies and Gentlemen

It is a tradition for us to hold the New Year's reception for the diplomatic corps here in the National Council chamber. So I thank the presidents of the National Council and the Council of States for granting us this opportunity.

Nuncio, as dean of the diplomatic corps, thank you very much for your remarks and the New Year's greetings.

And to all of you, Excellencies, thank you for being here today and for your work throughout the year.

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The devastating fire in Crans-Montana has cast a shadow over Switzerland at the start of this new year. The national and international solidarity and support that we have received and continue to receive – including from many of you and your heads of state – has given us strength. When tragedies like this occur, international solidarity and support are palpable, no matter how difficult the circumstances. For that I am truly grateful.

The German philosopher Ernst Bloch is known, among other things, for his work ‘The Principle of Hope’. The title may sound as if we should throw up our hands, look up at the sky and wait for better times. But that's not what it means – quite the contrary. Bloch discusses how hope can be cultivated. “The root of history is the working, creative human being who reshapes and overhauls the given facts,” he wrote in the 1950s. This statement still holds true even in this age of rapid change.

In fact, it is perhaps even more relevant today, given the rapid technological advances and disruptions to the economic and security landscape. Simply fighting change or fearing it is of little use, because change always entails risks and opportunities. Our task is to shape this change in the best possible way and to recognise and seize the opportunities it presents.

Excellencies

Ladies and gentlemen

Only through mutual exchange and a willingness to seek joint solutions can we turn risks into opportunities. I am open to such exchanges, and today's event serves this purpose. As before, I see open, solution-oriented dialogue as a key element in achieving our common goals.

So at the international level, what are the three main objectives of my presidential year?

1. stabilising and strengthening relations with our most important trading partners

2. diversifying our bilateral relations, particularly in the fields of business and science

3. upholding our commitment to peace and stability as a neutral mediator.

Concerning the first point: as you know, Switzerland is improving its trade policy framework, and as such our market access to our largest trading partners: the European Union, the United States and China.

The Swiss-EU package should stabilise and further develop our close relations. In this way, we want to preserve the Swiss economy's sectoral participation in the EU single market and conclude new agreements in Switzerland's interests. The Federal Council will submit the dispatch on this to Parliament in the coming months.

We also want to stabilise our bilateral trade relations with the United States and achieve the best possible market access for both sides. The negotiating mandate for a trade agreement has been adopted, and negotiations will now begin promptly. We are currently negotiating with China to optimise our 10-year-old free trade agreement, which in many areas is less favourable than market access agreements between China and other countries. Here too, negotiations are progressing well.

All three agreements have two things in common: the lively discussions they provoke, and the fact that all are likely to lead to referendums. I am glad to live in a country where the people determine the course of events in a democratic manner.

This brings me to my second point: Switzerland would like to diversify its relations, particularly in the areas of trade and science. Various newly concluded free trade agreements are undergoing the domestic political process and are subject to referendum. However, with win-win agreements negotiated on equal footing, we will certainly succeed in convincing the electorate of the benefits of free trade. This year, we are working to conclude new trade agreements and modernisations and to launch new scientific collaborations. As before, I will continue to personally commit myself to the success of such agreements in my role as President of the Swiss Confederation.

The third priority builds on Switzerland's longstanding tradition of good offices and neutrality. In addition to Switzerland's/our constant readiness to act as a neutral mediator, chairing the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe this year brings with it a special responsibility. This is in line with our longstanding commitment to peace, security and stability in Europe and around the world. And we also support International Geneva and its unique role in global governance. As a reliable partner, Switzerland strives for successful summit meetings and agreements that increase prosperity on both sides.

Excellencies

Ladies and Gentlemen

Due to the pandemic, my first year as president in 2021 was, for the most part, conducted virtually. I am glad that we have left this impersonal phase behind us. I would now like to use my second year as president to advance as many dossiers as possible in cooperation with partners worldwide.

The challenges ahead require not just dialogue, but the kind of active hope Ernst Bloch described. Your support here at the start of my presidential year shows that I can count on your partnership in shaping this change together. On that note, I would like to convey to you and the countries you represent the best wishes of the Federal Council and the Swiss people for the New Year.

Thank you.