Ignazio Cassis looks forward to continued cooperation with Ukraine

Almost half of the Ukrainian population live on the equivalent of 100 Swiss francs or less per month. That equates to 18 million people – almost twice the entire Swiss population. These figures come from a study conducted in 2020 by the Ptoukha Institute for Demography and Social Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. This makes Ukraine one of the largest but also lowest-income countries in Europe. The situation there is further exacerbated by Covid-19 and the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Switzerland is supporting Ukraine with regard to reforms for increased stability and prosperity, having maintained bilateral relations with Ukraine for some 30 years and engaged in international cooperation for over 20 years. During this time, Switzerland has achieved a great deal in Ukraine. Some examples are provided below.

"Switzerland is a capable and trusted partner of Ukraine in political, economic, financial and cultural spheres," says Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis.

Switzerland is a trailblazer in its long-standing support for Ukraine's transition following the collapse of the Soviet Union. This support has been a key foundation for Ukraine's comprehensive reform agenda, which was launched after the 2014 revolution.

In this context, Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), together with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, launched the process 'On the Road to Lugano' on 29 October 2021 in Kyiv. This marks the start of preparations for the Ukraine Reform Conference (URC2022), which will be held in Lugano on 4 and 5 July 2022 under the joint chairmanship of Switzerland and Ukraine. 'On the Road to Lugano' and the URC2022 allow Ukraine – together with international partners – to reflect upon the reforms under way and discuss the next steps in the reform process. "Among friends and partners, we define future reform priorities, which are essential for a peaceful, innovative and prosperous Ukraine," said Mr Cassis. As host of the URC2022, Switzerland has the unique opportunity to chart a sustainable course in the Ukrainian reform process.

Federal Councillor Cassis and President Zelenskyy focus attention on stability and prosperity

In July 2021, Mr Cassis, on behalf of Switzerland, took over the chairmanship of the Ukraine Reform Conference (which has been rotating annually since 2017) from Lithuania. Shortly thereafter, Mr Cassis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed upon a set of practicable reforms to be examined during the 'On the Road to Lugano' process and at the conference. Stability and prosperity are focal areas of the URC2022; they are also priorities of Switzerland's Foreign Policy Strategy 2020–23. In consultation with Ukrainian and international partners, special emphasis will be placed on reforms in the following areas: justice, decentralisation, reintegration, green transformation, banking and finance, corporate governance, human capital and digital transformation.

Several hundred representatives from various countries are expected to attend the Ukraine Reform Conference 2022 in Lugano. Attendees will include heads of state, ministers and government officials. The ministerial conference also involves civil society, the private sector, academia and international organisations. Switzerland looks forward to co-hosting the event together with Ukraine under the banner 'Reforms for all, all for reforms'. At the end of URC2022, the President of the Swiss Confederation and the President of Ukraine will sign the Lugano Declaration.

Long before the conference gets under way the preparatory process 'On the Road to Lugano' will take place. Mr Cassis commented: "I hope that the 'On the Road to Lugano' process will be an inclusive and positive one." Important topics will be discussed by all stakeholders during events taking place both in and outside Ukraine. It is equally important to clearly inform the Ukrainian public about the reforms. During the process, an assessment of reform progress in Ukraine up to July 2022 will be led by the Swiss embassy in Kyiv, while in the international arena, Switzerland will adopt the role of bridge-builder at four events: in Brussels, at the WEF in Davos, in International Geneva and in Washington D.C.