Federal Councillor Cassis speaks out in favor of compliance with the UN Charter

At the invitation of Japan, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis took part in a ministerial debate in New York on the rule of law. Like Japan, Switzerland is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and has also held the presidency since the beginning of the year.

"The principles of the Charter are being put to the test today. They were blatantly violated in the case of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine," Cassis stressed in his vote in the Security Council.

Cassis called on UN member states to respect international law and the principles of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use or threat of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state. He said the Swiss would work to further strengthen the rule of law.

Meeting planned with US Secretary of State Blinken

During his stay in New York, FDFA Head Ignazio Cassis met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, President of the UN General Assembly Csaba Kőrösi, UN Ombudsperson Richard Malanjum and other representatives of permanent and non-permanent member states of the UN Security Council.

On Friday, the Federal Council will travel to Washington D.C., where it will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, among others. Among other things, cooperation with the USA in the UN Security Council will be discussed for Switzerland's priority areas. Switzerland's main priorities in the UN Security Council are the protection of civilians, the promotion of sustainable peace and the strengthening of the Council and the preservation of climate security.

The text of the written address to the ministerial debate is available on the FDFA website (in French). be tracked.

Source: DFA