Switzerland, Germany vow crackdown on organised crime

Swiss Justice and Police Minister Ruth Dreifuss and German Interior Minister Otto Schily on Friday vowed to join forces in cracking down on drug and arms trafficking, money laundering and terrorism.

Swiss Justice and Police Minister Ruth Dreifuss and German Interior Minister Otto Schily on Friday vowed to join forces in cracking down on drug and arms trafficking, money laundering and terrorism.

The two leaders signed a declaration praising crime-fighting measures and cross-border police cooperation enshrined in a document signed earlier this year. Switzerland has signed similar accords with neighbouring Austria, France, Italy and Liechtenstein.

“The Swiss-German accord is a good example of what can be achieved if two countries focus their efforts on solving problems together,” Metzler said after talks in the German capital Berlin.

The ministers underlined the importance of involving all Alpine nations to improve the exchange of police information. A working group is preparing a series of measures which are to be presented at a ministerial conference in Germany next year.

The European Union – of which Switzerland is not a member – has stepped up anti-crime efforts over the past years and the Swiss government fears that, unless it takes swift action, criminals may try to use the country as a safe haven for their illegal operations.

Schily and Metzler also addressed the issue of Kosovar refugees, reaffirming their position that the ethnic Albanians must return to their home regions.

“It is an important goal of Switzerland’s and Germany’s refugee policy that all Kosovar refugees who are not specifically allowed to stay must return,” Schily said.

He added that voluntary repatriation is given priority for the moment but that “forced repatriation cannot be ruled out.”

Germany and Switzerland were the two countries which took in by far the most refugees during the Kosovo crisis. The Swiss government is providing material and financial aid for Kosovar refugees going back to their region. Switzerland also helps re-build democratic institutions in Kosovo as part of the international Balkans Stability Pact.

From staff and wire reports.