Cost-Cutting At Foreign Ministry Raises Fears Among Swiss Abroad
(MENAFN- Swissinfo)
Deutsch
(de)
die schweiz spart im aussennetz – aber wo? (original) Italiano
(it)
la svizzera risparmia sulla rete diplomatica estera, ma a spese di chi? Português
(pt)
suíça economiza em presença no exterior Français
(fr)
la suisse fait des coupes dans son réseau diplomatique – mais où? The Swiss Confederation is facing a budget deficit, and as such, it needs to implement a cost-cutting strategy. In February, the government tabled a measure whereby each department must save 2% of its operating costs starting next year. Internally the different ministries are talking about "cross-cutting".
The pressure to save money thus also affects the foreign ministry – and its network of diplomatic representations has come under scrutinyexternal link .
Spending cuts of CHF10 million It is clear that the austerity programme is already underway. "We are fully on track to implement it," Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said last week at a press conference, in response to a question from SWI swissinfo.ch. But he did not elaborate on what these austerity measures are precisely.
More details, however, arrive from the ministry's communications team after SWI sent a request for information: representations abroad will need to save a total of CHF10 million.
The entire foreign service network costs Switzerland some CHF495 million a year. So a savings of CHF10 million would be equivalent to just about 2%.
Switzerland's diplomatic network is extensive compared to other countries. It currently comprises 103 embassies, 29 consulates general, 19 cooperation offices, 12 permanent missions and four other representations worldwide – for a total of 167 outposts.
Swiss Abroad ready to fightWhen Switzerland closes one of its embassies, it is always at the expense of the community of Swiss Abroad. Consulates are the closest link emigrants have to their homeland, and visits are often unavoidable. When an office closes, making contact becomes more tedious as Swiss nationals are forced to travel further distances to access consular services.
Switzerland's foreign missions on a world map. EDA
"For us, maintaining high-quality consular services is and remains an absolute priority," says Ariane Rustichelli, director of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad. According to her, these services should meet the needs of the Swiss Abroad and take into consideration their geographical distribution.
Rustichelli points out that maintaining the consular network is also one of the seven points contained in the organisation's election manifestoexternal link . With this manifesto, the lobby of the Swiss Abroad is making its concerns known for the 2023-2037 legislative period. Its focus currently is on reaching the candidates standing in the federal elections slated for October.
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