In 2026, Switzerland will chair the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for the third time. At its meeting on 21 May 2025, the Federal Council adopted the priorities for Switzerland's chairpersonship and approved the supplementary budget to organise and provide security measures for the meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council. As chair, Switzerland will be responsible for organising this annual, high-level gathering of the 57 participating states. Today, Mr Cassis confirmed to Ticino's cantonal authorities that the FDFA intends to hold the ministerial meeting in Lugano in early December 2026. Both the cantonal authorities and the City of Lugano were consulted on the matter. “Following the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in 2022, the Canton of Ticino will once again host a major international event,” Mr Cassis said. “This is an opportunity to leverage the experience gained in preparing the URC, to showcase the strengths of Italian-speaking Switzerland, and to emphasise Switzerland's ability to support the peaceful co-existence of different linguistic and cultural groups. This sets a valuable example, particularly in the current geopolitical context.”
The meeting with the Cantonal Council was also an opportunity to take stock of current international events, particularly regarding relations with the EU and the ongoing talks with the United States on tariffs.
Cross-border relations and the promotion of Italian language and culture
During his exchange with the Cantonal Council, Mr Cassis also discussed topics of mutual interest including the promotion of Italian language and culture, multilingualism and national cohesion. This included, in particular, the Confederation's plans to grant additional aid to the areas of Ticino, Graubünden and Valais affected by extreme weather. They also discussed the matter of Italian speakers in government-associated committees and extra-parliamentary commissions, as well as the Piccolo Erasmus project, which allows federal and cantonal administrations to exchange employees over a period of several months.
Mr Cassis then explained the decision to take on responsibility for the Palazzo Trevisan in Venice once again. The cultural venue will in future also host activities in the fields of innovation, research and sustainability. There was praise for the Canton of Ticino's willingness to take part in the project, which will raise the profile of stakeholders in Italian-speaking Switzerland and further strengthen the close relations between Switzerland and Italy.
The meeting also allowed for a closer look at topics relating to Switzerland's relations with Italy. Discussions highlighted the positive dynamic of recent years, in which numerous agreements have been reached, including last October's agreement with the Italian government on regular cross-border bus services. The focus then turned to the Italian–Swiss Cross-border Dialogue, a discussion platform for regional and state actors founded in 2006, whose annual meeting was held today in Poschiavo. Participants also discussed the 30th anniversary of Regio Insubrica, a community for cross-border cooperation between Lombardy, Piedmont and Ticino.
Useful links:
Press release 21.05.2025
Newsticker: Switzerland to assume OSCE chairpersonship in 2026
Address for enquiries:
FDFA Communication Bundeshaus West 3003 Bern +41 58 460 55 55 kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
