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Environmental ambassador Felix Wertli spoke of a "difficult time" after the failed negotiations on an international plastics agreement. (archive picture)
Keystone
Switzerland will not get its Geneva agreement against plastic pollution. Chief negotiator Felix Wertli spoke of his delegation's disappointment on Friday morning. He called for a break to reflect on the further course of the negotiations.
"It is a difficult time," said the head of international affairs at the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) in front of the other states. It was not due to a lack of commitment, he added. Meanwhile, many other countries criticized Luis Vayas Valdivieso, the head of negotiations.
"We have made progress", said the environmental ambassador, but the decisive steps towards an agreement had not been taken. Despite the failure, the efforts should not stop, emphasized Wertli. However, after three years of negotiations at various meetings, a break is now needed to decide on the future approach.
Federal Councillor Albert Rösti had traveled to Switzerland on Wednesday evening and Thursday to support the Swiss delegation in an attempt to reach an agreement. He had met with his counterparts in Geneva on several occasions and participated in small group meetings during the talks.
15.08.2025, 08:06
