Federal Department of Economics, Education and Research
Bern, June 15, 2021 – In the run-up to the summit between US President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, delegations from Switzerland and the USA met in Geneva. The conversation was devoted to the goal of further strengthening economic relations and cooperation in education and research. The good offices of Switzerland were also an issue.
In talks between the delegations from Switzerland and the United States, both sides praised the traditional and dynamic relationship. The USA and Switzerland are committed to the same values on many issues and are committed to democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Switzerland welcomes the United States’ renewed commitment to multilateralism.
Federal President Guy Parmelin underscored the close contacts between scientists from the two countries. Switzerland and the USA were among the most innovative countries in the world; Their exchange helps to find solutions to the great challenges of the present. A current example is the cooperation between companies in Switzerland and the USA in vaccine production.
A central topic of the conversation was education and in particular vocational training, where the renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is in progress in order to intensify the exchange. With a view to trade relations, the delegations discussed the status of exploratory talks for a potential bilateral trade agreement.
With regard to good offices, the US protection mandate in Iran, which Switzerland has been exercising for over 40 years, was discussed in particular. The delegations discussed the necessary steps so that the payment mechanism for humanitarian supplies to Iran (“Swiss Humanitarian Trade Arrangement”), which has been in force since February 2020, can develop its full effect. The aim is that despite the US sanctions against Iran, humanitarian goods such as medicines, medical equipment, food or agricultural raw materials can be exported to Iran.
On the part of Switzerland, Federal President Parmelin and Federal Councilor Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), State Secretaries Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch (SECO) and Livia Leu (FDFA) also took part in the discussion. The US delegation headed by President Biden included Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
Constructive dialogue required
In front of the media, Federal President Parmelin thanked everyone who helped ensure that the summit on Wednesday can take place under the best possible conditions. Switzerland is convinced that a constructive dialogue between the great powers is necessary in order to tackle the global challenges, as the Federal President further explained: “The world has largely had a terrible 18 months marked by the pandemic. The Geneva meeting is an opportunity for the presidents of the USA and Russia to radiate more optimism and hope into world politics. ”
The summit shows “the importance of Geneva as an international city, where governments, representatives of civil society and science come together to find sustainable solutions to the major global challenges”, underlined Federal Councilor Cassis.
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