INTERVIEW: HEINRICH MAURER, AMBASSADOR OF SWITZERLAND IN BIH
By: Ajdin BEGANOVIĆ
SARAJEVO, March 4 (ONASA) – Ambassador of Switzerland in BiH Heinrich Maurer in the interview for ONASA News Agency talks about cooperation between the two countries, goals of cooperation, BiH diaspora in Switzerland and other topics.
ONASA: Since January 1st, EFTA- Free Trade Agreement, between BiH and EFTA countries, has come into force. How important is the BiH market for Switzerland?
MAURER: Switzerland is ranked 7th as foreign investor in BiH and trade is steadily growing, although on a still modest level. The EFTA Free Trade Agreement with BiH offers new opportunities for both parties. EFTA consists of four member states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) with 13 million inhabitants. They have performing economies and consumers with one of the highest purchasing power worldwide. Their combined economic output is as high as the Turkish one with 70 million people. Past experience shows that growth rates of trade flows between the EFTA States and their free trade partners were – in the first couple of years after entering into force of a Free Trade Agreement – in average more than double compared to the figures with the other trading partners. Switzerland also supports BiH producers with its Swiss Import Promotion Program (SIPPO – www.s-ge.com/global/export/en) which helps to detect and conquer new markets as the Swiss one. It is not only about trade but also investment, since both countries are connected to each other. I know some Swiss entrepreneurs who invested in this country and are manufacturing products mainly determined for the Swiss market.
ONASA: What are the main goals of Cooperation Program that Government of Switzerland is implementing with BiH?
MAURER: Since 19 years, Switzerland has implemented a diversified and substantial cooperation program. The main domains of this cooperation contain strengthening decentralized democratic mechanisms at municipal levels, working closely with local governments to become more efficient service providers to their populations, but also enhancing the civil society to become responsive and responsible local development partners. It further includes the establishment of a socially inclusive market economy by providing instruments for effective investments in local business sectors, particularly by focusing on increasing youth employment through offers in job market oriented skills development and through cooperating with the private sector to offer attractive and decent jobs for young adults. Finally, it supports reforms of the health care systems in BiH, mainly in area of the development of quality nursing services and mental health care. The Swiss Cooperation also tries to include the BiH diaspora in Switzerland to become partners in development endeavours within their home country.
ONASA: What would be the standpoint of Switzerland, related to EU integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina?
MAURER: Although not being an EU member state, Switzerland strongly supports the democratic and economic transition of Bosnia and Herzegovina towards European integration. Switzerland has also an interest in the successful integration process of BiH. I do hope that this process with a strong focus on the socio-economic field will gain a new momentum after the approval of the declaration about the reform process towards EU integration by BiH institutions and party leaders.
ONASA: Could the Switzerland state’s functioning principle be applied to Bosnia and Herzegovina?
MAURER: Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina lie both at the crossroads of different cultures which automatically lead to a diverse population. I am convinced that diversity is a strength provided that certain rules are respected as tolerance, respect of minorities and readiness for compromise. Every country has to find its own and appropriate state structure. Countries with a diverse population often choose a federalist system. The growing challenges modern States are faced with require a constant examination of their state structure. Swiss cantons transferred e.g. certain competences to the national level according to the principle of subsidiarity which says that a public task will be shifted to a higher level if the lower one cannot fulfil it appropriately any longer.
ONASA: To what extent is BiH diaspora contributing the development of Switzerland’s society, how could the diaspora contribute the development of relations between two countries?
MAURER: The BiH diaspora in Switzerland is around 60.000 people strong and hence an important bridge and springboard for close and intensive relations between our two countries. Be it in the field of economy, culture or science, members of this well integrated diaspora are often at the forefront of initiatives to foster cooperation between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. For example they were and still are very generous in assisting people in need after the floods of last year. (end)