On Wednesday 19 April, the Swiss foreign minister will officially open the new premises of the Swiss embassy to the Holy See, which were presented to the public in May during a ceremony marking the start of the renovations. The new embassy is now fully operational. In keeping with the aims of the Federal Council, it will serve to maximise the potential for bilateral and international cooperation in key areas for Switzerland's foreign policy and to respond to an increase in diplomatic activities in recent years.
Mr Cassis will also attend a series of bilateral meetings. He will meet with the secretary of state of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the secretary for relations with states, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher. These meetings are expected to focus on bilateral relations between Switzerland and the Holy See, current international developments, and topics of shared interest including efforts to promote peace and human rights in the world. Also scheduled is a visit to the Community of Sant'Egidio, an international Christian organisation dedicated to helping the vulnerable and conflict mediation.
Since this will be his first visit to Italy since the formation of the new Italian government, Mr Cassis will also meet with the foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, with whom he spoke briefly at the UN General Assembly in New York in February. The two are expected discuss their countries' bilateral relations in addition to international topics such as the war in Ukraine, Switzerland's non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council and Swiss–EU relations. Mr Cassis's meeting with the Italian economy and finance minister, Giancarlo Giorgetti, will focus on pending matters in the financial relations between the two countries.
Further information:
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Holy See (Vatican City)
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Italy
Address for enquiries:
FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Communication service: +41 58 462 31 53
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA
