Meeting With Joe Biden - Vladimir Putin, Switzerland Closes Airspace

Aerial photo of Geneva International Airport, Switzerland. (Wikimedia Commons/Schutz)

JAKARTA - Swiss authorities have decided to close their airspace to all flights, following a meeting between US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva on June 16 next week.

In his announcement Friday, June 11 local time, the closure was carried out for some airspace for three days, namely June 15-17. This closure was approved by the Swiss Federal Council.

"At its meeting on June 11, 2021, the Federal Council approved temporary restrictions on the use of airspace during the summit between President Biden and President Putin from June 15 to 17, 2021 in Geneva", the statement said.

The Swiss Air Force will provide enhanced air surveillance and airspace surveillance, the government said. The restrictions will be in place from 8 a.m. on 15 June to 8 a.m. on June 17 local time.

The airspace that was closed covers the Geneva area with the center above the Place des Nations near the United Nations Office in Geneva. At the same time, commercial flights to and from Geneva International Airport will not be affected by the restrictions".

On Friday, the Federal Council also approved the deployment of up to 1,000 soldiers to provide support to Geneva's cantonal authorities during the summit. In particular, the armed forces will be responsible for protecting foreign missions.

As previously reported, President Joe Biden and President Putin will meet at Villa La Grange, Geneva, Switzerland on June 16. Several agendas are said to be discussed at the meeting, which is planned to be attended by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

As part of security measures, Villa La Grange will be closed to visitors from June 8-18. Regional authorities announced tightened security measures on June 14-17. In particular, unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) flights are prohibited in Geneva. A special security zone has been created around the summit venue, covering the adjacent Parc La Grange and Parc des Eaux Vives.