British News Agency

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis will pay official visits to Serbia, Kosovo and North Macedonia from November 4 to 6.

According to a statement from the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, the visits will focus on bilateral relations, European integration and promoting peace, stability and security in the Western Balkans. Cassis will also visit OSCE field missions in Belgrade, Pristina and Skopje as part of his OSCE chairmanship.

The statement noted that Switzerland has been working to promote peace and stability in the Western Balkans since the 1990s and that its relations with the three countries are also shaped by their large diaspora communities living in Switzerland. Cassis is expected to emphasize the importance of dialogue, dealing with the past and protecting the rights of all communities. He will also inaugurate the new Swiss embassy buildings in Belgrade and Pristina.

Following Serbia's early parliamentary elections held 10 days ago, Cassis is scheduled to meet with interim President Ana Brnabić and representatives elected from the Student List in his capacity as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. The discussions will address the transfer of power. An election observation mission was deployed by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) at Serbia's invitation.

On November 5, Cassis will meet Kosovo President Justina Shiroka Pula, Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca. Discussions will cover the free trade agreement that recently entered into force between Kosovo and the member countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), including Switzerland, as well as support for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. Cassis is also expected to visit the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR), the international peacekeeping mission in Kosovo to which Switzerland has contributed through SWISSCOY since 1999.

In North Macedonia, bilateral relations, European integration and current developments in the Western Balkans are expected to be discussed during a meeting with Foreign Minister Timco Mucunski on November 6.

During his visits to OSCE field missions, Cassis will be briefed on their activities and the challenges they face on the ground. The OSCE's contribution to promoting dialogue, democratic processes and security in the Western Balkans was emphasized.