Geneva - (AFP) - The new president of the Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset, on Sunday called for openness and accommodation to face the difficulties resulting from the war in Ukraine, primarily inflation and the energy crisis.

Bersier, whose 2023 wishes from the National Museum in Zurich coincided with his one-year tenure, expressed "some concern" because "the final stages have been difficult".

He referred to the Covid pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine, "which negatively affects our daily lives, whether in terms of energy or inflation."

He added, "We know how to come together when necessary," and "we have learned that our institutions, our social security, our health system, and our public funds are solid," stressing that "we are able to adapt."

"We will not be able to solve all the problems. But we can contribute to solving them. Solidarity is openness. Extroversion is the opposite of introversion. It is the realization that sooner or later other people's problems will become our own," Berset added.

He continued, "In difficult times, we must stop and think carefully (...) and review ourselves."

He also said, "The problems are many. But we are many in Switzerland and around the world that we want to address. This is enough to maintain optimism and look to the future with confidence."

And the Swiss president is the first among his peers in the seven-member Federal Council, which represents the country abroad.

Bersih, 50, who belongs to the Socialist Party, retains the post of Minister of the Interior, which he has held since joining the parliament in 2012.

As health officer, he has played a key role in Switzerland's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He assumed the presidency in 2018.

The first change in four years is that two new personalities have joined the Federal Council this year.

The ministers decided that the outgoing President, Ignacio Cassis, would remain in charge of foreign affairs and Viola Amherd, the defense issues, given the unstable international framework.

While Switzerland remains militarily neutral, Russia has applied economic sanctions imposed by the European Union after its invasion of Ukraine at the end of February.