Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis launches 'On the Road to Lugano' in Kyiv

Bern, 29.10.2021 - On his visit to Ukraine, Ignazio Cassis launched preparations for the 2022 Ukraine Reform Conference in Lugano together with Ukraine's prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, on 29 October 2021 in Kyiv. The conference is an opportunity for Switzerland to help establish sustainable dynamics in Ukraine's reform process. The head of the FDFA also met the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba.

On 29 October 2021 Mr Cassis and the Ukrainian prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, launched preparations for the 2022 Ukraine Reform Conference (URC2022) in Lugano under the slogan 'On the Road to Lugano'. The head of the FDFA assumed the chairmanship and role of host to the conference on behalf of Switzerland on 8 July 2021. The last Ukraine Reform Conference took place in Vilnius, Lithuania. Mr Cassis is looking forward to hosting the next reform conference together with Ukraine. Switzerland is seeking inclusive reforms that will benefit Ukraine as a whole.

Switzerland to host anniversary edition of the Ukraine Reform Conference
The Ukraine Reform Conference has been supporting the Eastern European state in its ongoing reform process since 2017. The event takes place annually in a different host country. The conference's mission is to articulate recommendations for action to strengthen state institutions and support Ukraine in its transformation efforts.

Chairing URC2022 is a unique opportunity for Switzerland to help establish sustainable dynamics in Ukraine's reform process. Switzerland has been active in Ukraine in the areas of International cooperation, peacebuilding and humanitarian aid since 1999. Thanks to these activities, Switzerland is seen as an independent, credible and experienced partner in Ukraine's reform process. URC2022 marks the fifth anniversary of these conferences – an opportunity for Switzerland to take stock of the URC's achievements and discuss the challenges that lie ahead.

"I am pleased that together with Ukraine we have settled on a concept for URC2022 in Lugano.We will aim for a positive process resting on two themes: stability and prosperity," said Cassis. Stability and prosperity are also key priorities of Switzerland's Foreign Policy Strategy 2021–23.

Ukraine visit includes first steps 'On the Road to Lugano'
The official launch of 'On the Road to Lugano' on 29 October 2021 was the first event in the preparatory process for URC2022 in Lugano. The event was dedicated to the topic of decentralisation. In the period leading up to the URC ministerial conference in July 2022, Switzerland will hold several URC events in Ukraine and in its most important partner countries. Events are planned in Brussels, at the WEF in Davos, in Geneva and in Washington D.C. URC2022 will be held in Lugano on 4 and 5 July 2022 under the slogan 'Reforms for All – All for Reforms'. In addition to numerous members of government from various countries, it will welcome representatives from civil society, the private sector, international organisations and academia.

Meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba
On 28 October, during his stay in Kyiv, Mr Cassis paid a courtesy call to Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The bilateral meeting with Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, which took place on the same day, covered the situation in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine in addition to URC2022. The head of the FDFA stressed Switzerland's support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine and for a peaceful solution in Eastern Ukraine, and spoke about Switzerland's humanitarian aid on both sides of the contact line.

Meeting with Swiss project partners in Odesa
Mr Cassis also visited the port city of Odesa on the Black Sea to gain more insight into the Eastern European country as a whole. There he talked with Swiss partners running local projects in the areas of digital transformation, vocational education and training and organic farming.


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