Conférence sur la Syrie: intervention du président de la Confédération Didier Burkhalter (en)
Berne, 22.01.2014 - Montreux, 22.01.2014 - Intervention du président de la Confédération Didier Burkhalter lors du déjeuner de travail à la conférence sur la Syrie - Seul le texte prononcé fait foi
Mr Secretary-General, Dear Ban Ki-moon
Dear colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the Swiss Federal Council and of the people of Switzerland I would like to warmly welcome you once more on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Peace is a very important value for Switzerland. Peace is explicitly enshrined in our federal Constitution as one of the five values that the country has to promote through its foreign policy. This conference was very much awaited here and the Swiss people are proud and happy to welcome you all!
Montreux may be best known as a city of jazz. But it is also a city of hope. After World War Two, people from many countries gathered here to discuss new ways of securing peace in Europe. They were the forefathers of what became the European Union.
Today, we face an even more difficult task, as there is no peace to secure in Syria as yet. But the fact that you have all come here indicates that you believe that peace is possible and very much needed – and that you share the hope of Montreux.
We are honored that this conference takes place in Switzerland. We are always ready to help build bridges between people and put the infrastructures of Geneva and its region at the service of diplomacy.
Switzerland would like to thank you all for working hard for peace. We commend the efforts of those who – with tireless efforts and persistent faith in diplomacy – have managed to make this important conference happen. It is only through diplomacy and serious negotiations that a lasting end to this conflict can be achieved.
As a host state we will continue to do our utmost to assist the United Nations and the parties of this process by providing them with a secure space for discussions.
What is happening in Syria is a tragedy. The current pain and suffering of the Syrian people is intolerable. Complex conflicts need a lot of efforts and political will to be resolved. We all bear responsibility that this will be possible for Syria. Today’s meeting is proof there is a will to negotiate on the basis of the Final Geneva communiqué of June 2012.
Mr. Secretary-General
Before closing I want to reaffirm our commitment and support to your efforts and those of Joint Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi in facilitating a negotiated solution.
Once again: welcome to Switzerland. We hope constructive discussions will continue over the coming days in Geneva – and that they will initiate a serious process to eventually reestablish security and dignity for the Syrian people. That is the hope of Montreux.
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Département fédéral des affaires étrangères
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