Federal Councillor Cassis travels to Chisinau for fourth Moldova Support Platform
Bern, 13.10.2023 - Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will represent Switzerland next Tuesday 17 October at the fourth ministerial conference of the Moldova Support Platform in Chisinau. This platform’s aim is to promote internationally coordinated assistance for the Republic of Moldova. Moldova faces numerous challenges and difficulties, especially owing to Russia's military aggression against neighbouring Ukraine.
In the framework of the fourth Moldova Support Platform, next Tuesday more than 30 countries and over a dozen international organisations will meet in Chisinau, the capital of the Republic of Moldova, to reaffirm international support for the country, which has been severely affected by the war in Ukraine, and to coordinate future support. As head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Federal Councillor Cassis will attend the conference to highlight Switzerland's support for Moldova. As a long-standing and reliable partner of the Republic of Moldova, Switzerland is committed to continuing to support the country in these challenging times, in close coordination with its international partners and the Moldovan government.
The Moldova Support Platform was established to help Moldova address the significant challenges it is currently facing. Many of these problems are a consequence of Russia's military aggression against neighbouring Ukraine. Challenges include how to integrate the many Ukrainian refugees and manage agricultural sector losses caused by disruptions in the supply chains. The platform aims to mobilise the international community and development partners, to generate concrete political, financial and material assistance.
Intensification of Swiss–Moldova relations
Switzerland's participation in the Moldova Support Platform is a continuation of its long-standing support for the Republic of Moldova in the context of Swiss international cooperation. The current focus areas are economic development and employment, local governance and health. In response to the consequences of the war in Ukraine, Switzerland has significantly increased its support in Moldova since 2022 and is providing humanitarian aid to supplement the cooperation programme.
The Moldova Support Platform was established in Berlin in April 2022 at the joint initiative of France, Germany and Romania. Two events followed in Bucharest and Paris the same year. This year's Moldova Support Platform is the first event to be held in Moldova itself. Switzerland has taken part in all of the platforms to date. Attendance by the Swiss foreign minister this year also reflects an intensification of political dialogue between the two countries. Straight after the conference, President Maia Sandu of Moldova will travel to Switzerland on an official presidential visit.
A large number of high-ranking figures are expected to attend the fourth Moldova Support Platform in Chisinau, among them the foreign ministers of founders Germany, France and Romania, and the president of the Republic of Moldova. Federal Councillor Cassis will also use the conference as an opportunity for bilateral talks.
Address for enquiries
FDFA Communication
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CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA
Publisher
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
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