Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Swiss envoy Thomas Greminger loses post as Europe’s peace manager

Thomas Greminger
Thomas Greminger © Keystone / Anthony Anex

Switzerland’s Thomas Greminger will not be reappointed as secretary general of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Greminger’s term in office, which began in July 2017, will expire on July 18, according to Swiss media reports published over the weekend. He was the OSCE’s first Swiss secretary general.

The OSCE is the biggest regional security organisation in the world, with 57 member states in north America, Europe and Asia.

An OSCE meeting held Friday voted on whether to extend the mandates of Greminger and another three officials. The outcome was negative and all four positions must now be filled by December.

The Swiss foreign ministry told news agency Keystone-SDA that Switzerland had spared no effort to ensure that Greminger would remain in his post.

When Switzerland held the presidency of the OSCE in 2014, Greminger was one of the main architects behind the establishment of an observer mission in conflict-stricken Ukraine.

The Swiss ambassador also served as permanent representative to the OSCE, the United Nations and the international organisations in Vienna from 2010 until 2015.

More
Ein Mann mit Brille sitzt an einem Tisch, auf dem ein Fähnchen mit der Aufschrift OSCE steht.

More

Coffee with Europe’s peace manager

This content was published on Thomas Greminger, the first Swiss Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), has a lot on his plate.

Read more: Coffee with Europe’s peace manager

News

a doctor retrieves an egg with help from an ultrasound scan and a needle inserted into a woman who is laying on her back with legs held open. nurses assist in the background.

More

Swiss are open to assisted reproduction

This content was published on A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.

Read more: Swiss are open to assisted reproduction
View onto the Loetschberg Base Tunnel's southern ramp, pictured from a BLS Bombardier Transportation low-floor multiple unit named "Loetschberger" of the type RABe 535, driving from Spiez, Canton of Berne, to Brig, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, on May 16, 2017.

More

Train line between Brig and Domodossola interrupted

This content was published on One day after a derailment approximately 15 kilometres from the Swiss border, BLS is running buses for passengers between Preglia and Domodossola, in Italy.

Read more: Train line between Brig and Domodossola interrupted

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

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.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR