French and German ambassadors urge coordinated border opening
Coordinated reopening of borders is vital especially for the border areas, write the German and French ambassadors to Switzerland.
Keystone
The coronavirus crisis has highlighted the “common destiny” of Switzerland and European Union countries, which must now continue working together, say the French and German ambassadors to Bern.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/jc
After tensions in the early days of the crisis when each state took its own national emergency measures, Switzerland, Germany and France have developed “admirable solidarity”, write French ambassador Frédéric Journès and German ambassador Norbert Riedel in a joint piece published on Friday in the Tages Anzeiger and Le Temps newspapers.
They cite as examples Swiss and German hospitals taking coronavirus patients from France, and also the cooperation on repatriating stranded citizens from around the world. Swiss nationals have been flown home on French and German flights and vice versa.
This cooperation must now be maintained to get economic life back on track, the ambassadors says, urging a “coordinated reopening of borders”. Their message broadly reflects the view given by Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis last month.
“This exceptional period reminds us that, despite our differences, we are all Europeans,” they write. “The European response to this crisis, whether critics like it or not, is unprecedented. Never before has the [European] Union mobilised such considerable resources in just a few weeks. And never before have we become so aware of the importance of our common values, in particular respect for individual freedom and the rule of law.”
This week the ministers of justice and home affairs of Europe’s Schengen states agreed unanimously on a coordinated step-by-step lifting of travel restrictions while reaffirming the priority of protecting citizens against the virus.
“Initially, the progressive reopening of Europe’s internal frontiers must take place. Only after that will a step-by-step reopening of the Schengen external borders be possible to allow the entry of people from third states,” the Swiss justice ministry said in a statementExternal link.
More
More
Switzerland re-opens its European borders
This content was published on
On June 15 Switzerland re-opened its borders with many other European states after improvements to the coronavirus situation.
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
Credit Suisse turned down takeover bids one year before collapse
This content was published on
The management of Credit Suisse turned down takeover bids just over a year before the bank collapsed, says American investment banker Bob Diamond.
Geneva human rights film fest rewards 12 ‘impactful’ productions
This content was published on
The Geneva Grand Prix of the 2025 International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (FIFDH) has been awarded to the Egyptian documentary, Les Filles du Nil.
Top Swiss commerce official to meet with Trump administration
This content was published on
The head of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Helene Budliger Artieda, will travel to Washington next week.
Former US general advises Switzerland to prepare for war
This content was published on
According to former United States general Ben Hodges, the withdrawal of US troops from Europe is only a matter of time. In an interview with SonntagsBlick, he advises Switzerland to prepare for war.
This content was published on
The author of the bestseller Swiss Watching and former member of SWI swissinfo.ch's Public Council, Diccon Bewes, died on March 11 after a battle with cancer.
Anti-separatists in Bernese Jura mark 50th anniversary of crucial vote
This content was published on
Anti-separatist circles celebrated in Tramelan (BE) on Saturday the 50th anniversary of the vote of 16 March 1975 in which the population of the Bernese Jura chose to remain part of the Bernese Confederation. The theme of the jubilee was the identity of the Bernese Jura after Moutier's departure.
Nearly one in two bicycles sold in Switzerland is an e-bike
This content was published on
In 2024, almost every second bicycle sold in Switzerland was an e-bike. Overall, around 14% fewer bikes were sold than in the previous year.
Over 200 Swiss firms sign up to CO2 reduction targets
This content was published on
To date, 237 companies from Switzerland have joined the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), committing to CO2 reduction targets in line with the Paris Accord.
Geneva-based UN migration office cuts fifth of workforce
This content was published on
The UN's International Organisation for Migration HQ in Geneva is slashing 20% of its 1,000 staff due to the US aid freeze.
Switzerland urges neighbouring countries to coordinate lockdown exit
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has called on neighbouring countries to coordinate their exit from coronavirus lockdowns.
Swiss foreign minister says no EU accord talks before late 2020
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis says reaching a framework agreement with the European Union is no longer the country’s top priority.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.