Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis due in Ethiopia for working visit

Addis Ababa, March 14, 2024 (FBC) – Foreign Minister of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis will visit Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya from 17 to 22 March 2024, the Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed today in an official statement.

According to the statement, his visit to Ethiopia will focus on bilateral relations and regional geopolitical issues. Ethiopia, the second largest country in Africa in terms of population, is a strategically important partner for Switzerland, particularly in the areas of business, science and migration, the statement underlined.

The Swiss MFA stressed in the statement that the Greater Horn of Africa is one of the most dynamic regions in the world, but is also one of the most fragile and severely affected by conflict.

During his stay in Ethiopia, Mr Cassis will meet with President Sahle-Work Zewde and Minister of Foreign Affairs Taye Atske-Selassie. Besides to the senior Ethiopian government officials, Mr Cassis will also meet with Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the AU Commission, to discuss ways of stepping up cooperation between Switzerland and the AU. Other important issues on the agenda include the conflict situation on the Horn of Africa, the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the preconditions for a peace process.

National Councillors Monika Rüegger (SVP/Obwalden) and Farah Rumy (SP/Soloturn), both members of the National Council’s Foreign Affairs Committee, will accompany Mr Cassis on his trip to East Africa.