Opinions & Interviews

Swiss FM: Belarus, Switzerland need to assert themselves amidst powerful neighbors

Ignazio Cassis

MINSK, 13 February (BelTA) – Belarus and Switzerland have many things in common, including a number of common challenges, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis told reporters after his meeting with Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko 13 February, BelTA has learned.

“Our countries have much in common, including common challenges. We have a similar geopolitical situation, our neighbors are big and powerful states. These are Germany, France and Italy for us, and Russia, Poland and other countries for Belarus. We need to assert ourselves in such surroundings. A good way to do it is to promote diplomacy and find our place on the international arena,” Ignazio Cassis said.

As a case in point, Ignazio Cassis mentioned  Belarus’ role in resolving the Ukraine crisis.

In his view, the time is ripe to step up cooperation between the two countries. “Now we can expand and strengthen our political, economic and humanitarian ties. We have everything in place for that, we can move forward,”  Ignazio Cassis.

He believes that bilateral cooperation will considerably benefit from the ongoing visit of the Swiss delegation, which is the first visit of such a high level in the history of bilateral  diplomatic relations, as well as from the opening of the Swish embassy in Minsk. “Belarus is also upgrading the level of its diplomatic mission in Switzerland. The Swiss side has accredited a new Belarusian ambassador,” he added. At present Belarus is represented in Switzerland at the level of a charge d’affaires.

print version

make home page

add to bookmarks