Ignazio Cassis to inaugurate new Swiss embassy in Athens: the Swiss House of Culture, Research and Diplomacy
Bern, 19.05.2026 — Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will visit Greece from 22 to 23 May. He will meet the minister of foreign affairs, Giórgos Gerapetrítis, and the minister of defence, Nikos Dendias. Mr Cassis will also attend the inauguration of the new Swiss embassy in Athens.
On 22 May, talks with Mr Gerapetrítis will focus on bilateral relations, economic, scientific and cultural cooperation, and the Swiss–Greek cooperation programme as part of Switzerland's second contribution to European cohesion. With a budget of CHF 40 million for the period 2022–26, this programme supports projects in the field of migration. Swiss–EU relations and the ‘stabilisation and further development of Swiss–EU relations (Bilaterals III)’ package, as well as the situation in Ukraine, the Western Balkans, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East will likewise be on the agenda.
At the meeting with Mr Dendias, the discussions will focus on regional security in the context of the OSCE, of which Switzerland is chair in 2026, and the future Greek chairpersonship of the Forum for Security Co-operation in early 2027. The two countries are already working together as part of NATO's Partnership for Peace, notably within KFOR.
Inauguration of the Swiss House of Culture, Research and Diplomacy
The highlight of the visit will be the inauguration of the new Swiss embassy in Athens: the Swiss House of Culture, Research and Diplomacy. It will bring together under one roof the Swiss embassy, the Swiss school of archaeology in Greece and the Flux Laboratory.
With this initiative, Switzerland is taking a modern, interdisciplinary approach to diplomacy and strengthening its long-term partnership with Greece, based on trust, openness and cooperation.
On 23 May, Mr Cassis will visit the sites and projects of the Swiss archaeological school in Greece.