SVP does not participate in meetings – for reasons +++ Zelenskyj ends up in Bern Dutch right-wing extremists plan to burn the Koran – violent riots

A spokeswoman for the SVP party said no one from the party would attend the meeting with the Ukrainian president “for planning reasons.” The Aargauer Zeitung reports this.

When Zelenskyj spoke in parliament via video link in June 2023, the SVP almost completely stayed away from the speech.

This is evident from an Instagram post by the mayor of Bern, Alec von Graffenried.

«Good morning President Zelensky! Welcome bear!”

Federal President Viola Amherd received Chinese Premier Li Qiang and a Chinese delegation for an official visit. Both sides signed a declaration on the Switzerland-China Free Trade Agreement.

On the Swiss side, Minister of Economic Affairs Guy Parmelin also took part in the meeting. After the exchange between the two delegations at the Lohn estate in Kehrsatz near Bern, a joint statement was signed by Parmelin on the Swiss side.

The document states that a joint investigation launched in 2017 into the further development of the Free Trade Agreement between Switzerland and China has been completed. According to the Ministry of Defense announcement on Monday (VBS), this is an important step towards starting possible negotiations.

The Federal Council’s Switzerland-China Strategy for 2021 to 2024 states that the free trade agreement, which has been in force since 2014, needs to be modernized. We are talking about improved market access in the field of goods traffic and for Swiss service providers, including financial institutions, as well as an optimization of customs processes.

Li Qiang arrived in Switzerland on Sunday and was greeted in Bern on Monday morning by Federal President Viola Amherd and received with military honors. Official talks between the two delegations were next on the agenda. The Chinese Prime Minister wants to participate in the World Economic Forum in Davos GR. (sda)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj wants to meet not only members of the Federal Council in Bern, but also parliamentarians and party leaders. During the official visit, he wants to talk about sanctions against Russia and ways to use frozen Russian assets.

I arrived in Switzerland to meet the leaders and attend the Davos forum.

In Bern I will meet with the heads of both houses of parliament, party and faction leaders, and President Viola Amherd.

I would like to thank Switzerland for its consistent support for…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 15, 2024

Zelenskyj wrote this on Monday after his arrival on X (formerly Twitter). He also wants to address Russia’s return “stolen Ukrainian children” as the message said. Humanitarian demining, involving Switzerland, financial aid and reconstruction are also topics, Zelensky said.

Selenskyj wants to meet Federal President Viola Amherd and other members of the Federal Council, as well as the presidiums of the National Council and the Council of States, as he announced. He also wants to speak to the leaders of parties and factions.

He wanted to thank Switzerland for its support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He thinks that Swiss support for the peace formula brings the vision of a just peace in his country a lot closer.

Zelenskyj also commented on his planned appearance at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos GR. He wants to hold bilateral meetings with representatives of the EU and NATO, among other things. The aim is to promote Ukraine’s integration into the Euro-Atlantic region. (sda)

Plane spotters told “20 Minutes” that a Ukrainian plane had landed.

#Zelensky is currently in #ZRH landed. pic.twitter.com/oW6niNkpUW

— 🏳️‍🌈🇪🇺 THOMAS SUTTER the real ZÜRCHER STADTFUX (@ZStadtfux) January 15, 2024

The “Tages-Anzeiger” speaks of a Ukrainian military machine accompanied by two fighter jets.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang was welcomed by Federal President Viola Amherd during his official visit to Switzerland at the Lohn estate on Monday morning. The distinguished guest from China was received with military honors.

After the honor guard passed, Amherd and Li Qiang retreated for a brief face-to-face conversation, as a Keystone-SDA photo reporter on the scene observed.

Official talks between the Chinese and Swiss delegations were next on the agenda. Topics may include Switzerland’s free trade agreement with China, which has been in place since 2014, and economic relations between the two countries.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Switzerland on Sunday for a multi-day visit. Li Qiang is the highest-ranking Chinese government official in Switzerland since President Xi Jinping’s visit in 2017. He is also participating in the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos GR. (sda)

Ukrainian President Zelensky and Federal President Amherd will appear before the media at 5:30 p.m. – the location is secret.

Swiss army members are ready for Federal President Amherd’s talks with Chinese Prime Minister Li.

Federal President Viola Amherd will receive Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Lohn estate today. The preparations are in full swing.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj would land at 9:35 am, as “Blick” writes. Six Swiss Army Super Pumas are currently approaching Zurich Airport.

The Air Force is also responsible for transporting foreign politicians during the WEF.

The cantonal police of Bern sealed off the Federal Palace on Monday morning. The reason for this is the visits of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj to Bern.

The Bundesplatz was not accessible, a reporter from the Keystone-SDA news agency reported. The barriers in front of the Federal Palace were equipped with privacy screens. The police had set up a water cannon on Bärenplatz.

The police announced last week that they would take action on Monday with a visible device. There will also be road closures and traffic restrictions in the region.

Most police stations in the canton remained closed on Monday due to operations in Bern and around the WEF. Basic police services throughout the canton remain guaranteed, police said. (sda)

Today I have the Prime Minister of #China, #LiQiang, welcomed at Zurich airport for a multi-day visit to Switzerland. The official talks will take place tomorrow at the Lohn estate. pic.twitter.com/FeZqU0CCTl

— Viola Amherd (@Violapamherd) January 14, 2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will pay an official visit to Switzerland on Monday. This was announced on Sunday evening by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ukrainian Presidency. Zelenskyj will be received in Bern by Federal President Viola Amherd and Federal Councilors Ignazio Cassis and Beat Jans.

It is Zelenskyj’s first visit to Switzerland. However, the president’s wife, Olena Selenska, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba were already in the country beforehand. On Tuesday, Zelenskyj plans to give a speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, GR.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang is also in Switzerland. Cassis says so too China must be integrated as much as possible for peace in Ukraine. Chinese Premier Li Qiang will also make an official visit to Bern on Monday. He will also travel to the WEF in Davos. (sda)