Ignazio Cassis visits Moldova: Council of Europe and OSCE
Bern, 15.05.2026 — The head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, visited the Republic of Moldova from 13 to 15 May 2026. While there, he represented Switzerland at the annual Council of Europe Committee of Ministers in Chisinau. As Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), he also held a series of meetings aimed at supporting the organisation's role in the Transdniestrian conflict settlement process and encouraging the parties to engage in dialogue.
As holder of the Council of Europe presidency, the Republic of Moldova hosted the organisation's annual session of ministers of foreign affairs on 15 May. Federal Councillor Cassis represented Switzerland at this event. The 46 member states approved the Chisinau Declaration, which addresses current migration challenges. They also adopted decisions on combating foreign information manipulation and interference, with a view to strengthening democracy in the face of the rise of authoritarian regimes.
The meeting also saw the formal establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. Switzerland has announced its intention to join, sending a clear signal of its opposition to impunity. Effective accession will be subject to the approval of the Swiss parliament.
In his speech, Mr Cassis emphasised the importance of effective collaboration between international organisations: “Switzerland believes that we need a more targeted multilateralism capable of producing visible results, rather than overlapping structures. The very credibility of our institutions responsible for upholding democracy, human rights and the rule of law is at stake.”
Ignazio Cassis also held talks with Monaco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, and Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ervin Ibrahimovic. These two countries will take turns chairing the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, for six months each.
On the previous day, accompanied by OSCE Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioglu, Mr Cassis, in his capacity as Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, met the President of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popsoi – and Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset. Discussions focused on strengthening synergies between the two institutions , while emphasising the distinctive added value of each organisation, with a view to avoiding overlaps and increasing the visibility of results.
Prior to that, the Head of the FDFA held a series of meetings in Moldova with President Maia Sandu, Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Valeriu Chiveri and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popsoi. He also travelled to Bender, where he met with the political leaders in Transnistria. This was an opportunity for Switzerland, which holds the OSCE chairpersonship this year, to reaffirm its support for the organisation's role in the Transdniestrian Settlement Process and encourage the parties to engage in dialogue.