Ignazio Cassis to visit Serbia, Kosovo and North Macedonia
Bern, 03.11.2026 — Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will be in Serbia, Kosovo and North Macedonia from 4 to 6 November 2026. The visits will focus on bilateral relations, European integration and the promotion of peace, stability and security in the Western Balkans. In his capacity as chairman-in-office of the OSCE, Mr Cassis will also visit the OSCE missions in Belgrade, Pristina and Skopje.
Switzerland has worked to promote peace, stability and security in the Western Balkans since the 1990s. The head of the FDFA's trip underscores Switzerland's close ties with the three countries, shaped, among other things, by the large diaspora communities present in Switzerland. Mr Cassis will emphasise the importance of dialogue, dealing with the past and protecting all communities. He will also inaugurate the new premises of the Swiss embassies in Belgrade and Pristina.
In light of the early parliamentary elections in Serbia ten days ago, Mr Cassis will hold talks with interim president Ana Brnabić and elected representatives of the Student List in his capacity as OSCE chairman-in-office. The discussions will focus on the transition of power. At Serbia's invitation, the parliamentary elections were observed by an election observation mission from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
In Kosovo Mr Cassis will meet President Justina Shiroka Pula, Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Minister of Foreign Affairs Glauk Konjufca on 5 November. The talks will focus on the free trade agreement which recently came into force between Kosovo and the EFTA states, including Switzerland, as well as on supporting the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. Mr Cassis will also visit the KFOR international peacekeeping mission in Pristina, which Switzerland has participated in via SWISSCOY since 1999.
In North Macedonia, a meeting with Timčo Mucunski, the minister of foreign affairs, is scheduled for 6 November, focusing on bilateral relations, European integration and the current situation in the Western Balkans.
In his capacity as chairman-in-office of the OSCE, Mr Cassis will visit the OSCE field missions in Belgrade, Pristina and Skopje to gain an insight into their work and the challenges they face on the ground. The OSCE makes an important contribution to promoting dialogue, democratic processes and security in the Western Balkans.