Chaired by National Council member Sibel Arslan and Council of States member Carlo Sommaruga, who head the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Federal Assembly, the event brought together parliamentarians and representatives from the diplomatic and academic communities. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the current Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, and Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, were among those who spoke and answered questions from parliamentarians.
Democracy and multilateralism: Towards new forms of international cooperation?
In his address, Alain Berset discussed the Council of Europe’s proposed responses to the current challenges facing multilateralism, in particular through its New Democratic Pact for Europe. Launched in 2025, this initiative aims to reinforce the resilience of European democracies, restore confidence in institutions, and respond to growing threats such as disinformation and democratic backsliding. He emphasised the fundamental role of democratic institutions and the need for states to also invest in democratic security in order to preserve the rule of law, guarantee individual rights and freedoms, and strengthen the stability of the European continent.
The first round-table discussion, focusing on the theme of democratic resilience and the future of multilateralism, brought together Petra Bayr, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Marianne Binder-Keller, President of the Swiss delegation to this assembly, and Marie-Laure Salles, Executive Director of the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva. Against a backdrop in which international institutions and confidence in democratic processes are being severely tested, the discussions centred on ways to strengthen democratic resilience and trust in institutions.
European security: The role of the OSCE in a fragmented geopolitical context
In his capacity as Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis highlighted the organisation’s unique role as a platform for dialogue, particularly in times of high political tension. He highlighted the progress made under the Swiss Chair, notably the adoption of the 2026 budget after five years of deadlock, preparations for a potential peace process between Ukraine and Russia, and strengthening the role of field missions in conflict prevention. He also commended the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s contribution to election observation and the OSCE’s cooperation with the Council of Europe in promoting democracy. In conclusion, he reaffirmed the essential nature of diplomatic dialogue, emphasising that ‘when diplomacy seems impossible, it becomes indispensable’.
European security and the role of the OSCE were the focus of the second round-table discussion. Ambassador Greminger, Executive Director of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, and Daniel Moeckli, Head of the Think Tank of the Center for Security Studies at ETH Zurich, discussed the means still available to the OSCE to contribute to security and dialogue in Europe, as well as the strengths and limitations arising from its inclusive nature and its mandate.
In conclusion, Mr Moeckli summarised the key lessons drawn from the discussions, highlighting the close links between democracy, security and international cooperation, as well as the role that Switzerland and the Federal Assembly can play in a changing multilateral context.