Today, during his official visit to Switzerland, President of Latvia Egils Levits met with President of Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis. Heads of state discussed European security policy, deepening of bilateral cooperation and support to Ukraine.
President of Latvia noted that bilateral relations between countries are excellent and praised President Cassis for his personal input in deepening ties between Latvia and Switzerland. President Cassis visited Latvia in 2021 to mark the 100 years since establishment of diplomatic relations and presidents of both countries will continue active dialogue between Latvia in Switzerland as both countries mark 20 years since re-establishment of diplomatic relations this year. ‘We represent like-minded countries. Although Switzerland prefers to remain neutral, and Latvia is part of European Union and NATO, we share the same values.’
On the topic of Russian invasion of Ukraine, presidents of both countries underlined the importance of democratic countries working together toward stronger European security architecture. ‘The appropriate response to Russian aggression is to show our solidarity and democratic values even more. We cannot allow modern-day Europe to be shaped by 19th-century paradigms of Russian autocracy,’ Egils Levits pointed out.
President of Latvia thanked Swiss Confederation for showing solidarity and supporting European Union sanctions against Russia.
Heads of state of Latvia and Switzerland exchanged latest information about support provided to Ukraine since the start of war and number of refugees accepted by Latvia and Switzerland. ‘Latvia is part of NATO and its joint support to Ukraine. All allies provide military and humanitarian assistance. Latvia has received about the same number of Ukrainian refugees as Switzerland, our people have shown massive solidarity with Ukrainians and continue helping them in all ways possible,’ President Levits underlined.
Presidents of Switzerland and Latvia met in Lugano, the Swiss town where Rainis and Aspazija spent their exile and wrote many of their masterpieces. ‘I want to thank the city of Lugano for supporting Rainis and Aspazija Museum. I wish the museum many more years of success in doing this important job,’ President of Latvia said.
