After criticism from the US ambassador: Now the Seco boss is talking about sanctions against Russia

The head of the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (Seco) Helene Budliger Artieda has also defended herself against personal accusations from the US about the implementation of the Russian sanctions. The government is sticking to its political mandate, as she said.

The board is not involved in politics. This is all the more important in Switzerland because the country is divided on fundamental issues such as the implementation of sanctions and neutrality, but also on the relationship with the European Union (EU), according to the State Secretary and head of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. (Seco) in an interview with Tuesday’s “Neuen Zürcher Zeitung”.

When US ambassador Scott Miller called on Switzerland to block up to CHF 100 billion in additional Russian funds, she replied: “There are clearly misunderstandings”. The figure of 50 to 100 billion Swiss francs emerged as an estimate of the Russian funds under management. She was not from the administration.

Only a minority of Russians are affected by the sanctions. Switzerland has frozen 7.5 billion Swiss francs. That would equate to over a third of the €21.5 billion for the entire EU. “Why should Switzerland work carelessly?” asked the CEO of Seco.

benefit is not in question

Miller had also questioned Budliger Artieda’s personal attitude. She does not question the benefits of the sanctions, the Seco boss said. In a podcast, she would only have mentioned that the majority of countries around the world do not implement the sanctions and can therefore avoid Russia.

Budliger Artiedas supported the federal government’s mission. The same applies to European politics. “In such highly political dossiers, it is not our job to set the direction and thus expose ourselves to the accusation that we are pursuing our own agenda.”

Miller had criticized the political will of Seco and Budliger Artieda in an interview with the “Neue Zürcher Zeitung” in March. (sda)