Federal Councilor Jans represents Switzerland at the WEF: “I would feel more comfortable at a hockey match”

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It was only a month ago that Beat Jans (59) was elected to the Federal Council. Now he represents Switzerland at the WEF – and his agenda is so tight that the Minister of Asylum simply conducts the interview with Blick on foot.

Jans came to Davos on Monday evening in a special train with Volodimir Selenski (45). The security measures taken to protect the Ukrainian president impressed the neo-federal council. He is only discreetly accompanied by a bodyguard. His wife Tracy was sometimes seen by his side in Davos.

During the conversation with Blick, Jans happened to meet Novartis boss Vas Narasimhan (47), whom he knows well – as a former government president of Basel. They both live in the same district in Basel, says the federal councilor. Jans hits him briefly and they talk easily. Then we rush towards the conference center.

Mr Jans, you were at the WEF once, about twenty years ago – do you remember that?
Defeat Jans: Yes of course! At the time I was there for the environmental protection organization “Friends of the Earth”. At the time, the WEF was not yet that big and not at all public. Nobody knew what was going on here. It was about making companies aware of their responsibilities.

Back then, you disguised yourself as a ‘fat capitalist’ and sneaked into the building. Now you belong to that elite that once condemned you.
(Laughs) The WEF has changed a lot. There are now many good initiatives. But I always have to get used to this ‘high society’.

So you’re not really comfortable?
Well, I’d feel more comfortable at a hockey game. (Laughs) But it was very useful and inspiring. Useful because I met a lot of people who I will work with in the future. Contacts with other ministers are especially important in the field of migration.

Which meeting was the most useful? The one with the Iraqi Foreign Minister, with whom you discussed a migration agreement?
As Minister of Justice, I am responsible for a wide range of issues, including responsibility for the EU file. The meeting with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, was certainly valuable. I also had the opportunity to talk with Volodomir Selensky, which was also important for my future work. But of course the two meetings with the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Security and Justice of Belgium were very relevant for my department.

Switzerland has a great interest in an agreement with Iraq. But can the country really be a reliable partner?
Last year alone, 134 Iraqis living illegally in Switzerland had to leave the country. 91 of them actually arrived. So it already works today. If this can be sealed, there is a chance of a sustainable solution.

It is also planned that Switzerland will support projects for returnees in the future. What exactly is that about?
It’s about making sure that we can ensure that people return safely. That human rights are respected. And secondly, people must also have an economic perspective. For example, they can be helped to build something themselves, so that they do not have to flee again. Here we work together with Germany.

You took over the Ministry of Justice from your party colleague Elisabeth Baume-Schneider. Is there anything you want to do differently than them?
I’m still learning the ropes. After a hundred days in office, I will answer the question.

Source:Blick