Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in Moldova
Bern, 12.05.2026 — Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will visit the Republic of Moldova from 13 to 15 May. As Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, he will hold a series of meetings in which he will address the organisation’s role in the settlement process of the Transdniestrian conflict. He will also attend the annual session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which is hosted this year by the Republic of Moldova.
On 14 May, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will hold talks in his capacity as Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE with the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Valeriu Chiveri and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popșoi. The Head of the FDFA and OSCE Chairman-in-Office will travel on to Bender, where he will meet with Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky and Chief Negotiator Vitaly Ignatiev.
A primary focus of the talks in Moldova will be the OSCE, chaired this year by Switzerland, and its role as a platform for dialogue to advance peace and stability in Europe. The discussions will also address the organisation's support for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process, based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, while also envisaging a special status for Transdniestria. Switzerland's bilateral cooperation with Moldova will also be discussed during talks in Chișinău with the Moldovan authorities.
Later in the day, a further meeting of the day will bring together Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the Secretary General of the OSCE, Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu, the President of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Mihai Popșoi, and Council of Europe Secretary General, Alain Berset. Discussions will centre on the distinctive added value of each organisation with a view to avoiding overlaps, creating synergies, and strengthening OSCE–Council of Europe cooperation.
135th Ministerial Session of the Council of Europe
As holder of the Council of Europe presidency, the Republic of Moldova will host the organisation's annual ministerial session on 15 May. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will represent Switzerland at the event. An informal dinner dedicated to Ukraine will be held on the evening of 14 May.
The main items on the ministerial session agenda will be the application of the European Convention on Human Rights in the context of current migration challenges, countering foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) and the Council of Europe's future external action strategy.
The Council of Europe, which Switzerland joined in 1963, is the leading organisation for the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe. Since its establishment in 1949, it has created a common legal framework among its 46 member states, underpinned by the European Convention on Human Rights.
Swiss chairpersonship of the OSCE for 2026