Swiss President Ignazio Cassis has officially received his Slovak counterpart Zuzana Caputova with the highest honours on her official visit to Switzerland. At a joint press conference, Caputova stated that Switzerland is the European Union's closest partner. The Slovak head of state sees room for closer cooperation between the two countries mainly in climate crisis management and related innovations.
Slovak President Zuzana Caputova and her Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis held a joint press conference after their meeting on Thursday. The Slovak head of state declared that she sees room for closer cooperation between the two countries mainly in climate crisis management and related innovations. "Both our countries have committed to carbon neutrality by 2050," noted the president, pointing out, for example, that Switzerland is ahead in using green hydrogen. Cassis noted that Switzerland and Slovakia are mountainous countries and are affected by climate change. "We need to get involved and work on innovative solutions," he said. In addition to global warming, the presidents' meeting also focused on the ongoing pandemic crisis, the energy crisis and the security crisis related to the war in Ukraine, said Cassis. With the sanctions imposed, the countries are trying to stop Russia from financing the war. Caputova is pleased that Switzerland has supported the sanctions. According to Cassis, the heads of state also spoke about diplomatic activities in connection with the war, humanitarian aid and the protection of migrants. He informed Caputova about the conference that is due to take place in June in Lugano and will focus on the process of reconstruction of Ukraine after the war.
Visiting Switzerland together with Slovak head of state Zuzana Caputova was Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok. After his meeting with President Ignazio Cassis, Korcok informed that Slovakia would use €41 million from Switzerland, provided as a contribution to 13 European countries, for education, medical research and biodiversity linked to sustainable tourism.
As he said, Slovakia is grateful for Switzerland's solidarity with countries that are currently facing a large influx of war refugees. “I also perceive as important the fact that our countries belong among the group of states that initiated the investigations of crimes regarding the ongoing conflict (in Ukraine)," said the minister.
Among other issues broached were the EU membership prospects for the countries of the western Balkans, energy security, potential avenues of closer Slovak-Swiss ties and the development of cooperation in international organisations.
Source: TASR
