Ignazio Cassis receives the cantonal governments of Ticino and Graubünden in Bern
Bern, 24.10.2022 - In Bern today, President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis received all of the members of the cantonal councils of Graubünden and Ticino, for a trilateral meeting as part of the regular political dialogue established with the two cantons of Italian and Romansh-speaking Switzerland. Among the topics discussed were current events related to the war in Ukraine and its repercussions on Switzerland, cross-border relations, European policy and the promotion of multilingualism.
Since his election to the Federal Council, Ignazio Cassis has held regular political dialogue with the cantonal governments of Ticino and Graubünden, as well as with the representatives of Italian-speaking Switzerland in the Council of States and the National Council. Two years after the last trilateral meeting, held in Bellinzona, the head of the FDFA welcomed the members of the two cantonal governments to Bern. It was an opportunity to discuss topics of shared interest and to draw an initial assessment of Mr Cassis's presidential year, which focused on plurality and which brought him to Ticino and Graubünden on several occasions. The Ukraine Recovery Conference held in Lugano at the beginning of July, for example, put Italian-speaking Switzerland in the international spotlight. Other highlights were the annual Ambassadors' Conference in Pontresina, the extramural meeting of the Federal Council in Val Müstair and the annual excursion of the Federal Council to Ticino.
The topic of multilingualism and the promotion of minorities was addressed from various angles. Mr Cassis highlighted the FDFA's efforts to ensure an equal representation of the different language communities in the Federal Administration and in federal government-associated businesses and emphasised the importance of initiatives such as the Erasmus small-scale partnerships. Launched last year, the project promotes exchanges between employees of the Ticino and Graubünden cantonal administrations and those of the FDFA. The capacity for dialogue and peaceful coexistence between different language communities is also a distinguishing feature of Switzerland abroad. It is also for this reason that the FDFA is renewing its commitment to initiatives that give visibility to minorities beyond national borders, such as Italian Language Week – which has just ended – and Romansh Language Week (Emna Rumantscha), which will be repeated in collaboration with the canton of Graubünden next year, following the success of the first two editions. Last September, Mr Cassis also participated in an event organised in New York for the 30th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Minorities.
Cross-border relations, relations with the EU and the energy crisis in the spotlight
The discussion then turned to current affairs, including the war in Ukraine and its repercussions on Switzerland, for example in the areas of migration and energy. Mr Cassis reiterated the importance of the federal government, cantons and industry working together to take the necessary measures to secure supply, create reserves, reduce dependence on gas and oil, and strengthen national renewable energies. He also welcomed the efforts undertaken by the cantons in the reception of Ukrainian refugees and the integration of young people in schools.
Relations with Italy were then discussed, while the importance of cross-border relations and the role of the cantons in relations with neighbouring states were also highlighted. Relations with Rome continue to be good and the two countries are working together to resolve open dossiers, including the process of ratifying the agreement on the taxation of frontier workers. The planned state visit of Italian President Sergio Mattarella to Switzerland will also be an opportunity to better explore the various cross-border issues of interest to the Confederation and the cantons. With regard to European policy, Mr Cassis explained the Federal Council's intention to continue along the bilateral path and briefed the two cantonal governments on the current status of the exploratory talks with the EU.
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