At the 2. October 2018, the Saudi Arabian Dissident Jamal Khashoggi, was murdered. After that, the leadership of Saudi Arabia was the world in the criticism, also in Switzerland. In early December, the Federal Council was dismayed by the violent death of the journalist Khashoggi: It is necessary in the circumstances of the death are rigorous, credible and transparent investigation. On Monday night, surprised the Federal President Ueli Maurer with his statement, for the official Switzerland the case to be done with Khashoggi and adjusted: “Because of this, If you can’t discriminate against Saudi Arabia is now easy for years to come.”

evaluation

Only the investigations are far from complete. The trial against eleven alleged Suspect was at the 3. January, opened in Riyadh – the Prosecutor asks for five of those Involved the death penalty. A date for the continuation of the hearing but was not called. In addition, the Turkey, on whose territory the incident happened is preparing for an international investigation of the murder of the Saudi regime critics.

Ueli Maurer receives the Saudi Ambassador Hisham Alqahtani during the traditional new year reception for the diplomatic Corps in Bern. (16. January 2019) image: Keystone/Alessandro della Valle

Against this Background, SP-national councillor Priska Seiler Graf shocked by the statement of Mason. Ethics and morality are not obviously so important, if the money of the Saudis locke. Diplomatic, but no less significantly, the Vice-President of the foreign policy Commission (APK), Martin Naef (SP) is: “Maurer’s statements are false and clumsy.” The Reputation of Switzerland suffer, if a Federal President external so casually to such a sensitive topic.

Significantly more understanding of Maurer’s statements, the President of the APK, the civil CVP-politician Elisabeth Schneider-Schneiter: “In the case of Khashoggi, the scope of Switzerland is extremely limited.” You will be greeted by Maurer’s intention for the dialogue with Saudi Arabia to resume and to discuss in particular the issues of human rights. The focus should be placed on the currently the largest humanitarian disaster in the world, to Yemen. Especially the role of Saudi Arabia in this conflict is very controversial. If the objective of the financial dialogue will lead to tackle this issue, then we are a step further.

in the spring

And this seems to be a done deal. The financial dialogue with Saudi Arabia should be held according to the Swiss Federal Chen Department of Finance (FDF) already this spring, and while in Bern. The goal of the discussions is to facilitate the access of Swiss banks to the Saudi Arabian market. The Federal President Ueli Maurer had to Riyadh in planning, EVS spokesman Roland Meier. Maurer’s approach, and his remarks will be, according to Naef is sure to be a topic at the next session of the APK at the beginning of February.

the politicians the Exterior design of the Federal Council in its efforts to re-brakes. Because it is precisely in the relations with Saudi Arabia, the Parliament in a grip of Often. The competent parliamentary Commission has decided in accordance with the case of Khashoggi, the double taxation agreement between Switzerland and Saudi Arabia on ice. With 23 votes to 0 with 1 abstention, the economy decided to Commission, to begin again, if the Federal Council has submitted a policy strategy towards Saudi Arabia.

Also for the automatic exchange of information (AEOI) of Bank data with the help of Saudi Arabia claims are on the table, to stop the preparatory work. Could an Embargo on arms exports to Switzerland after the murder Khashoggis not by rings. But since the 31. October 2018 and will not be dealt with pending and new applications for arms exports to Saudi Arabia. However, Seiler count fears that Maurer’s “new cozy” indicates that one could gain a foothold in the state government, a loosening of this decision eye.

Important trading partner

The desert state of Saudi Arabia is for the Swiss economy attractive. With a trading volume of around 2.5 billion Swiss francs, he is behind the United Arab Emirates is the second most important trade partner of Switzerland in the Middle East and in Africa. In 2017, are among the principal exports, besides the war material, especially pharmaceutical products, clocks and watches, machinery and precious stones and metals and jewellery.

(editing Tamedia)

Created: 23.01.2019, 18:41 PM