In talks with Prime Minister Morawiecki, President Cassis paid tribute to Poland's commitment to helping refugees from Ukraine, stating that “The solidarity of the country's population and authorities with those affected by Russia’s military attack deserves the highest recognition.” He explained how Switzerland, for its part, is helping to alleviate the crisis by providing humanitarian aid and by taking in refugees with a minimum of bureaucracy. Switzerland's sanctions against Russia and the security situation in Europe were also discussed.
While the talks focused on the war, humanitarian aid and the refugee crisis, they also touched on bilateral relations between Switzerland and Poland and Switzerland's European policy. President Cassis emphasised that Switzerland sees itself as part of a community of values and is committed to working side by side with the EU for stability, security and prosperity in Europe.
To help alleviate the current crisis, Switzerland has so far delivered over 500 tonnes of relief supplies to Ukraine and dispatched a team of experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) to both Poland and Moldova. On Monday, the Swiss delegation visited transfer points for Swiss relief supplies at Lublin and Chełm. At the Polish-Ukrainian border in Dorohusk, Mr Cassis was briefed by the local authorities about the refugee situation on the border and spoke with refugees at the reception centre in Chełm.
Onward journey to Moldova
On Tuesday, President Cassis will meet with President Maia Sandu in the Moldovan capital Chișinău. It will be the first time a Swiss president has visited the country. Discussions will focus on how Moldova is coping with the current crisis and how Switzerland can best support the country. The programme also includes a visit to a refugee centre.
The Swiss delegation travelling with President Cassis to Poland and Moldova includes National Council member Franz Grüter, president of the Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC-N), National Council member Edith Graf-Litscher, member of the Security Policy Committee (SPC-N), Ambassador Manuel Bessler, Delegate for Humanitarian Aid and head of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA), and Claude Wild, Ambassador to Ukraine and Moldova.
Further information:
Bilateral relations Switzerland-Poland
Bilateral relations Switzerland-Republic of Moldova
Address for enquiries:
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Tel. Communication service: +41 58 462 31 53
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA
