Federal Councilor Neo Viola Amherd's first assignment abroad

On the 18th, after the start of the office, the first foreign date for the neo-federal councilor Viola Amherd (56) was scheduled. The Prime Minister of Defense of Switzerland took part in a meeting of the German-speaking defense leaders in Vienna. According to their department, the trilateral meeting is an exchange of information on current issues of national and international security policy and allows a first meeting.

In addition to his Austrian counterpart Mario Kunasek (42), Amherd also met Ursula von der Leyen (60), with whom he has much in common. As Christian Democrats, the two women are, so to speak, party friends. And both were appointed defense ministers as the first women in the history of their country.

However, Ursula van der Leyen has five years of experience as a "beginner" Amherd. Did the woman from Valais have suggestions from her German counterpart in dealing with the army of male domination?

This must remain open for the moment. It is certain that the three defense leaders spoke about peacekeeping operations in the Western Balkans.

Austria and Germany are among the most important partners in Switzerland in terms of security policy and military cooperation. The three countries work closely together, particularly in the fields of training and military technology.

The colleague of the Federal Council of Amherd, Karin Keller-Sutter (55 years) has a few days before appearing on the international scene. The first visit to the new Minister of Justice is scheduled for 6 and 7 February in Bucharest, Romania. So the Council of Interior Ministers of the Schengen-Dublin countries will meet for the first time this year.

«This is the first appointment for a trip abroad by Federal Councilor Keller-Sutter. However, contacts with foreign ministers may have already occurred in Switzerland, "says Guido Balmer, information manager for the Federal Department of Justice and Police. However, none of the new federal councilors go to the WEF.