Swiss president receives diplomats

Swiss President Kaspar Villiger addresses foreign diplomats in Bern Keystone

In his New Year's address to foreign diplomats, the Swiss president highlighted Swiss efforts to become a more active member of the global community.

Kaspar Villiger welcomed the 200 diplomats representing around 100 countries to the Swiss capital, Bern, on Thursday.

Swiss openness

Villiger highlighted several cases where Switzerland was forging closer ties with the rest of the world.

He told them that the time was ripe for Switzerland to become a member of the United Nations. “A more full and holistic participation would be more dignified, more appropriate and more effective than observer status,” he said.

Further, he predicted that Swiss relations with the European Union were set to significantly grow, citing the bilateral accords that are due to enter into full effect by June.

Coalition against terrorism

The September 11 attacks in the United States have created a general feeling of insecurity, Villiger noted. “And we have asked ourselves how we can protect our free societies and market economies against these types of threats.”

However, there were many encouraging signs in the fight against terrorism, Villiger said.

The international community’s response to the attacks in Washington and New York were clear and unanimous. “Global terrorism is not acceptable,” the Swiss president said.

Impact at home

Villiger stressed the negative impact the events of September 11 have had in Switzerland, for example speeding the collapse of the national carrier, Swissair.

He also pointed to how wars fought in foreign lands have precipitated an influx of refugees to Switzerland.

Diplomats respond

The apostolic nuncio, Pier Giacomo de Nicolo, delivered a note on behalf of the diplomats. “We hope that your efforts to join the United Nations will succeed,” he told the Swiss president.

The Swiss are due to vote on the issue in a nationwide referendum in March.

swissinfo with agencies