(ANSA) - ROME, NOVEMBER 29 - After private visits to the Paul Klee museum and the cathedral of Bern, the state visit to Switzerland begins for the President of the Republic.
Sergio Mattarella, accompanied by his daughter Laura, will be received at the federal palace by the President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis.
Among the topics foreseen for the talks will be the process of Switzerland's rapprochement with the European institutions, the issue of cross-borders and Switzerland's permanence on the blacklist of natural persons.
Naturally, there will also be discussion of bilateral economic relations and the Ukrainian crisis.
Italy has very positively welcomed the Confederation's decision to join the international sanctions package.
In fact, since the beginning of the conflict, Switzerland and Italy have ensured maximum solidarity towards the Ukrainian people, with a commitment that found significant moments in the Lugano Conference for the reconstruction of Ukraine last May and in the decision to adhere to the sanctioning measures defined at an international level.
An approach that the Italian government considers positive because it represents a reflection and discussion on the boundaries of the neutrality policy.
During the talks, President Mattarella will reaffirm his conviction that an effective defense of democratic values and the rule of law is a responsibility that falls on all the peoples of the continent.
For the head of state, in fact, the autocracies are challenging the model of peaceful international coexistence and democratic coexistence: a serious issue that should not be underestimated.
For the Quirinale, these are challenges that cannot be facilitated by the uncertainties and divisions among free peoples.
(HANDLE).