Promoting democracy and holding bilateral talks: Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter in Stockholm
Bern, 14.09.2015 - Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter is due to take part in the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in Stockholm on 15 September 2015, the International Day of Democracy. Switzerland is chairing the institute this year. During his stay in the Swedish capital, Mr Burkhalter will also hold bilateral talks with the country's foreign minister, Margot Wallström, and the Swedish minister for international development cooperation, Isabella Lövin.
The head of the FDFA will focus on the current refugee situation, Switzerland's EU policy, the future of European security and bilateral topics during talks with his Swedish counterpart, Ms Wallström, scheduled for Tuesday morning in Stockholm. Mr Burkhalter will later discuss with Ms Lövin opportunities for strengthening cooperation between Switzerland and Sweden in the field of development cooperation. Another topic of discussion will be the sustainable development agenda, which is scheduled to be adopted at a summit of heads of state and government at the end of September in New York.
In the afternoon, Mr Burkhalter will open the conference of the International IDEA Council of Member States. The institute is celebrating 20 years of activities since its founding in 1995 when it was established with the aim of promoting democratic institutions and sustainable democratic processes.
Switzerland is chairing the institute in 2015, which is tasked with supporting constitutional processes and voting, political participation and representation, and democracy and development. In his capacity as chair of the International IDEA Council, Mr Burkhalter will open the meeting of its 28 member states taking place on 15 September – the day chosen by the UN General Assembly in 2007 to be commemorated as the International Day of Democracy.
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