BERN - Reinforce the diplomatic presence in Eritrea, without opening a Swiss embassy in Asmara. The National Council today tacitly transmitted to the government a motion modified in this sense by the States.

Initially the People's Chamber wanted to go further and asked, in a motion of the UDC group approved in June 2017, the opening of a real diplomatic center in Asmara. However, the Chamber of the Cantons has taken another path, reformulating the text.

Young Eritreans escape from compulsory military service and from the total absence of economic prospects, said Claude Beglé (PPD / VD) on behalf of the Preparatory Commission. Asylum applications exploded in 2011 but their number has declined sharply since 2015.

For the UDC, given the large Eritrean community in Switzerland, it is absolutely necessary to open a representation in Asmara to prevent young people from leaving their country. According to the democentrists, an on-site presence should also allow the negotiation of a refugee readmission agreement.

For his part, Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis stressed the government's willingness to proceed step by step in relations with Eritrea. It is now up to Asmara to take one to Bern before Switzerland opens an embassy in the African country, he noted, pointing out that there is no link between the presence of a diplomatic office and migration.

Switzerland has a structured dialogue with Eritrea, organizes workshops with senior officials, and Germany leases premises in its embassy in Asmara, which allows them to work in a safe place, the federal councilor continued. "The cost is about 10,000 francs, much less than a million that would cost an embassy open."

Currently Eritrea is the responsibility of the Embassy of Kharthum, in Sudan. The Swiss ambassador makes 5-6 trips a year to Asmara, said the minister. Cassis then recalled that the context is difficult, there is no parliament in Eritrea and the president decides practically everything. «It will take a policy of small steps».