© KEYSTONE / AP / JAN BAUER
Ignazio Cassis meets this Thursday in Berlin his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the head of diplomacy Annalena Baerbock. During this first visit to Germany, Swiss-EU relations will also be discussed.
According to the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), “close bilateral and cross-border relations” and Switzerland’s European policy will be among the topics of discussion.
If the time of the meeting of the President of the Confederation with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, at 3 p.m. in his official residence of the castle of Bellevue, is fixed, this is not the case for the appointments with Olaf Scholz and Annalena Baerbock . Mr. Cassis, however, plans to address the media at 6:30 p.m. at the Swiss Embassy in Berlin.
In foreign policy, the Federal Council is under pressure to explain the breakdown of negotiations last May on a framework agreement with the EU. Domestically, pressure is mounting for Bern to finally present a plan on future relations with Brussels.
A listening ear in Berlin
So far, in European comparison, Germany has listened attentively to Swiss sensitivities vis-à-vis the EU. Just like Austria, where Ignazio Cassis made his first presidential visit, as tradition dictates.
The German Land of Baden-Württemberg, bordering Switzerland, has in particular always been committed to a close relationship with the Swiss Confederation.
And a day before Mr. Cassis’ summit meeting in Berlin, the Federation of German Industry called for the “rapid resumption of constructive discussions” between the EU and Switzerland. In view of geopolitical tensions, a prolonged conflict with Switzerland is superfluous, argued the federation.