Swiss president calls for European economic cooperation

Economics ministers want to strengthen Europe's resilience Keystone-SDA

At a meeting with the economic ministers of German-speaking countries in Zurich on Friday, Swiss president Guy Parmelin urged trade cooperation on the continent.

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European measures should not affect the interlinked supply and value chains. Cooperation and trust must be strengthened among like-minded people – this is urgently needed in view of the geopolitical situation, Parmelin told the media as this year’s host of the traditional meeting.

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The aim was therefore to work together to strengthen Europe’s economic security and resilience.

Germany’s minister of economic affairs, Katherina Reiche, also emphasised the similarities between the four countries, including their values and language.

However, agreements should also be concluded with new partners outside of Europe, and she mentioned the Mercosur agreement and the Gulf states as possible partners. “The order of the day is not ‘Made in EU’ but ‘Made with EU’,” said Reiche.

Single market does not end at the EU border

Austria’s minister of economic affairs, Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, took the same line – cooperation in Europe and strengthening competitiveness is the answer to economic powers such as the United States and China. We should respond to the challenges “with the power of the internal market”.

But the single market does not end at the EU border. With this in mind, he welcomed the negotiations with Switzerland. He also emphasised that the weakness of the US should be turned into an advantage for Europe. Diversification is necessary, which is why new trade markets should be explored.

Particularly in times of global uncertainty, increased growth momentum and competitiveness are especially important, according to a press release. Possible measures to achieve this goal include the removal of trade barriers, the reduction of bureaucracy and de-regulation.

This year marked the 50th anniversary of the traditional annual quadripartite meeting of economics ministers from German-speaking countries.

Adapted from German by AI/mga

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