Muscular communication | Geneva Tribune

This summer, the Association Pro Switzerland muscle its communication and broadcasts a growing rate on social networks of video clips very well done and very impactful. In these video sequences, the stakeholders shoot red balls on the European Union and dedicate to the gemonies the future agreements aimed at updating the links between Switzerland and the EU. Pro Switzerland goes even further since in one of the videos in the series, the speaker protested against the fact that during the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Federal Court, the star flag of the Council of Europe was floated next to the Swiss flag. According to him, a disturbing symbol.

This attitude amazes me. The Flag of the Council of Europe has also floated for many years on the pediment of our town hall accompanying the Geneva flag, the Swiss flag, alternating with that of the UN. It is a good thing, with a strong symbolic load. Currently, the Council of Europe is chaired by Mr. Alain Berset, former federal adviser. Switzerland has been a part of it since May 6, 1963, the Council of Europe being the oldest European political organization dedicated to the promotion of human rights and democracy. A great Genevan, Professor Olivier Reverdin presided over this parliamentary assembly from 1969 to 1972. Since 1965, the emblem of the Council of Europe, an azure flag carrying an crown of twelve gold stars; It is this flag that symbolizes an organization of which Switzerland has been a full -fledged member since 1963. Nothing more, nothing less.

As for the European debate in a broader sense, once and for all, there is no question of joining the European Union (EU), but of updating the cooperation agreements that bind us to the Union. To claim that Switzerland wants to join the EU is today disinformation. Common sense, economic realities and our geographic location at the heart of Europe plead in favor of constructive relations between Switzerland and the European Union, even if the EU is far from being perfect, especially at this moment alas, but no one is perfect, neither within the EU, nor with us … We have just had some good proofs recently.

When you are a member of a club, the rules are accepted. Switzerland is not part of the club and does not want to be part of it. Including act. On the other hand, Switzerland appreciates being able to access most of the advantages of club members without being a member and club members are happy to have Switzerland at their doors. This is called realpolitik.

On the other hand, I agree on a point with my Eurosceptic friends: the bureaucracy of Brussels is too heavy – a little like our federal administration – and the distribution of powers too little readable.

It would be good if on the benches opposite, those of environments favorable to cooperation agreements with the EU, we wake up. That we develop the arguments favorable to agreements with the EU with the same force of conviction as Pro Switzerland. Thus, the democratic debate will be enriched with something other than lukewarm water. We will all have to win in the perspective of the popular vote on this important object.

Claude Bonard

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