Amherd discusses next Ukraine peace conference at European summit
Published: Thursday, Jul 18th 2024, 18:00
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Heads of state and government from Europe met for a summit at Blenheim Palace in the UK on Thursday. Under the leadership of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, further aid for Ukraine, the fight against illegal migration and security and energy issues were discussed. President Viola Amherd attended on behalf of Switzerland.
Representatives from over 40 European countries and the institutions of the European Union, the Council of Europe and the NATO defense alliance met near the English city of Oxford. This is the fourth meeting of the European Political Community (EPC).
At Starmer's invitation, Amherd opened the plenary session with a speech on the Conference for Peace, which took place on the Bürgenstock in Switzerland in mid-June. The summit on the Bürgenstock was the only initiative for peace in Ukraine to receive broad support on all continents, said the President of the Swiss Confederation.
So far, 87 states have signed the final declaration of the Bürgenstock Summit, the so-called Communiqué. After the conference, further states signed the text, including those that did not take part in the summit, as Amherd went on to say.
First steps towards second peace summit
In his speech at Blenheim Palace, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Switzerland for organizing the B?rgenstock Summit. "Now the second summit is being prepared," he said. Working groups would soon be discussing three topics based on the communiqué for a peace solution: Energy security, food security and humanitarian support.
The aim is to hold this conference this year, said Amherd in an exchange with Swiss journalists on site. However, another country should take over the organization and Switzerland is ready to support it.
Amherd cultivates personal contacts
Among other things, the summit allows the heads of state and government to exchange ideas in an informal setting. Amherd met the heads of government of the Netherlands and Iceland, the Latvian president and the Hungarian head of government, among others.
Amherd said it was very important to maintain contact with colleagues. You have to meet people to get to know them personally. In the event of problems, personal contact would help to solve them.
As a rule, no joint declaration is issued at the EPG meeting. The next summit is scheduled to take place in Budapest in November.
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