Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter opens the 2013 Ambassadors and Representations abroad Conference

In his opening speech, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, emphasised that the current state of world politics demanded an active, innovative and forward-looking foreign policy commitment from Switzerland. Switzerland can effectively promote its interests and values only if it is able to shape its environment and take on responsibility, he stated. Burkhalter also explained the Federal Council's policy towards Europe, highlighting the fact that the long-term sustainability of the bilateral way depends on the resolution of institutional issues.
 
On the second day of the Ambassadors Conference, President of the Federal Council Ueli Maurer, Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport DDPS, will address the conference participants.

The Ambassadors Conference is scheduled until 22 August. Around 230 Swiss representatives working abroad have registered for the conference. This annual event affords ambassadors, consuls-general, as well as heads of cooperation offices run by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the opportunity to discuss current affairs and important business relating to Swiss foreign policy with representatives from other federal offices. The numerous plenary discussions and working groups all refer to the main topic of the conference, namely the current risks and challenges for foreign and security policy and Switzerland's response to them. They cover a variety of topics such as international cooperation in the field of security, current hot spots and terrorism, peacebuilding, mediation and disarmament, Switzerland's activities in fragile contexts and commitment to the protection of refugees, as well as policies on energy and commodities.

As in previous years, members of the Federal Council will also be present at some of the workshops in Bern. Alain Berset (Federal Dept. of Home Affairs, FDHA), Doris Leuthard (Federal Dept. of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, DETEC), Johann Schneider-Ammann (Federal Dept. of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, EAER), Simonetta Sommaruga (Federal Dept. of Justice and Police, FDJP) and Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf (Federal Dept. of Finance, FDF) are expected to take part. Federal Chancellor Corina Casanova will also be involved in one of the workshops.

Further information:

Speech by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter

Address for enquiries:

Information FDFA
Bundeshaus West
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.: +41 58 462 31 53
Fax: +41 58 464 90 47
E-Mail: info@eda.admin.ch

Publisher:

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs