The path to reconstruction is through a broad-based political and diplomatic process. High-level delegations from around 40 countries and 20 international organisations have therefore been invited to the international recovery conference in Lugano. Parliament, as one of the cornerstones of democracy, also plays a central role in this process.
To underscore this role, a broad-based Swiss parliamentary delegation led by National Council president Irène Kälin is attending #URC2022 in Lugano.
At the event for parliamentarians, representatives from both chambers will discuss with members of the Verkhovna Rada the exceptional situation of the Ukrainian parliament and its role in the recovery process. They will share their expertise, experiences and lessons learned from their political work.
Switzerland and Ukraine have maintained close relations since Ukraine's independence in December 1991. The two countries are in continuous dialogue on technical cooperation, peace policy, economic cooperation, support in the reform process and humanitarian aid. Meetings at parliamentary level take place regularly. In April, National Council president Irène Kälin and National Councillor members Roger Nordmann (SP/VD), Nik Gugger (EVP/ZH) and Yves Nidegger (SVP/GE) visited the parliament in Kyiv and got an impression of the situation on the ground (press release dated 26 April 2022). At the end of February and the beginning of March, the National Council and the Council of States issued a declaration strongly condemning Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
Further information on URC2022, hosted by President Ignazio Cassis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, can be found under this link: https://www.urc2022.com/
The Swiss delegation, headed by National Council president Irène Kälin (Greens/AG), is composed of National Council members Eric Nussbaumer, 2nd vice president NC (SP/BL); Prisca Birrer-Heimo, chair CC-N (SP/LU); Marco Romano, chair PIC-N (The Centre/TI), Kurt Fluri, PIC-N member (FDP/SO); Damien Cottier, Council of Europe delegation president, parl. group president (FDP/VD); Alfred Heer, Council of Europe delegation member – rapporteur for Ukraine (SVP/ZH); Roger Nordmann, parl. group president (SP/VD); Gerhard Pfister, party president (The Centre/ZG); Balthasar Glättli, party president (Greens/ZH); Tiana Moser, parl. group president (GLP/ZH), and Council of States members Brigitte Häberli-Koller, 1st vice president CS (The Centre/TG), Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, 2nd vice president SR (SP/JU); Mathias Zopfi, chair PIC-S (Greens/GL); Marco Chiesa vice president FAC-S, party president (SVP/TI); Hannes Germann, Council of Europe delegation vice president (SVP/SH), Thierry Burkart, party president (FDP/AG).