Swiss-US talks on fighting terror
Switzerland and the United States have held talks, focusing on the fight against terrorism.
The Swiss justice minister, Ruth Metzler, met the US attorney general, John Ashcroft, after he had attended the World Economic Forum summit in Davos.
Both Metzler and Ashcroft agreed that international cooperation was the key to effectively combating terrorists.
Metzler also said the Swiss were ready to play a part in breaking down the financial networks that fund terrorism.
The Swiss justice minister stressed that the practice of banking secrecy in her country would not hinder this aim.
Switzerland also outlined its position on a war against Iraq.
Metzler told Ashcroft every effort should be made to resolve the current crisis without resorting to violence.
The latest round of talks was a follow-up to the two parties’ last meeting in March 2002.
swissinfo, Faryal Mirza
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