Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal cancels working visit to Bern
Published: Tuesday, Oct 15th 2024, 20:40
Retour au fil d'actualité
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal will not be making his official working visit to Bern planned for Wednesday. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs announced the cancellation on Tuesday evening. However, the Ukrainian delegation will take part in the conference on humanitarian demining, it added.
This ministerial-level conference organized by Switzerland will take place on Thursday and Friday in Lausanne. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) did not give a reason for the cancellation of Shmyhal's official working visit.
Representatives from dozens of countries are taking part in the conference on humanitarian demining. The USA, which has been Ukraine's most important supporter since the beginning of the conflict, will be represented by an Undersecretary of State.
According to earlier reports, Prime Minister Shmyhal is scheduled to open the conference on Thursday together with President Amherd. On the same day, Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis and Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko will announce a roadmap for demining in Ukraine. According to estimates, a quarter of Ukraine could be contaminated.
The United Nations wants to organize innovative financing for mine clearance with the help of Switzerland. Clearing mines and other explosive remnants of war is likely to take decades.
Switzerland has made demining in Ukraine a priority of its support for the country's reconstruction. It has earmarked over CHF 100 million for this purpose until 2027.
©Keystone/SDA
French 
English 
German 
Spanish 
Arabic