President Cassis to visit Belgium next week
Bern, 17.11.2022 - Ignazio Cassis, President of the Swiss Confederation, will visit Belgium from 23 to 25 November, where he will be received on a state visit by King Philippe. The visit reinforces the strong ties between Switzerland and Belgium, two countries that share many values and common interests. The visit will include talks with Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and meetings with parliamentarians and other prominent figures.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde will officially receive Mr Cassis and his wife, Paola Rodoni Cassis, on Thursday 24 November. The visit will include the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, talks with the presidents of both chambers of the Federal Parliament of Belgium, as well as a meeting with the mayor of Brussels. An official meeting with Prime Minister De Croo is also on the agenda, at which various topics at bilateral, European and multilateral levels will be addressed. Mr and Mrs Cassis will attend a state banquet in the evening.
On Friday 25 November, Mr Cassis will visit Flanders and Wallonia. The visit will conclude with a cultural evening featuring artists with a strong connection to both Switzerland and Belgium.
Mr Cassis will be joined on the visit by the vice president of the Council of States Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (SP/JU), by the members of the Council of States Marco Chiesa (SVP/TI) and Isabelle Chassot (The Centre/FR), as well as National Council member Simone de Montmollin (FDP/GE).
Switzerland–Belgium bilateral relations: deep roots, active dialogue
Multilingualism and a federal state structure are two major characteristics that Switzerland and Belgium share. They also have two national languages in common – French and German – as well as similarly sized territories and populations.
Their bilateral relations have deep roots stretching back to the earliest days of Belgian independence in the 1830s. The Belgian royal family have long cultivated close ties to Switzerland as well. The two countries maintain friendly relations in education and research and in cultural activities, particularly music, dance, visual art, film, theatre and festivals.
The most recent Belgian state visit to Switzerland took place in November 2000, when the Federal Council received King Albert II and Queen Paola.
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