Michael Ambühl, Switzerland’s former state secretary and chief negotiator for the Bilateral Agreements II with the EU, thinks the Ukraine peace summit in June will be fruitful. Could Switzerland play a decisive role in the peace process?
From: NZZ by Christina Neuhaus
Maurice Haas for NZZ
Mr. Ambühl, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is personally promoting the upcoming Ukraine summit hosted by Switzerland at the Bürgenstock resort in mid-June. Russia’s representatives, on the other hand, have not been invited. Is the conference already doomed to fail?
No. It makes sense to hold a conference to discuss how a process aimed toward conflict resolution could be initiated. Switzerland has the opportunity to show that it can play a role in international mediation and is capable of hosting a high-level conference with impeccable organization and logistics.
Can Switzerland’s role go beyond that of a generous host?
Of course. Even creating the conference agenda is a central task. If it is possible to put together a sensible agenda at the Bürgenstock summit, and if important issues can be addressed and a fair discussion guaranteed, a great deal will have been achieved. Our diplomacy could show the world that Switzerland wants to continue to play a constructive role in the process.
And how could that be achieved?
If Switzerland convinces the most important players that it is more than just a good hotelier. If it can come up with consensual and creative solutions to contribute to the «peaceful coexistence of peoples» – as formulated in our constitution in the article on foreign policy.
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