Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation
02/12/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/12/2026 10:57
2026 Winter Olympics: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis holds talks in Milan
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, was in Milan on 11 and 12 February 2026 for the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. He met with the president of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana, and Milan's mayor, Giuseppe Sala. Talks focused on bilateral relations, particularly with the Lombardy region, the tragedy in Crans-Montana, cross-border cooperation and the potential of the 2026 Winter Olympics to bring benefits to the region.
On Wednesday 11 February, Mr Cassis met with the president of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana. With a population of around 10 million, Lombardy is also of major economic importance to Switzerland. The talks centred on Swiss-Italian bilateral relations, cross-border cooperation, the tragedy in Crans-Montana and the opportunities presented by the 2026 Winter Olympics, particularly in terms of sustainability, innovation and international visibility.
On the same day, Mr Cassis also visited the House of Switzerland, which is regularly used as a platform to promote Switzerland at major international events abroad. The House of Switzerland in Milano Cortina celebrates the Alpine region as a shared living and cultural space between Switzerland and Italy and highlights Swiss expertise in innovation, sustainability, sport and culture.
Mr Cassis then went on to visit the Centro Svizzero in Milan, where he spoke with members of Swiss Women's Hockey, Swiss Ice Hockey und Swiss Ice Skating. He personally congratulated the Swiss speed skaters and the women's national ice hockey team on their achievements. He also discussed Switzerland's successes in the Super-G with Swiss fans and added two new names to the medal wall.
On Thursday,12 February, Mr Cassis held bilateral talks with the mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala. The focus was on bilateral cross-border cooperation between Switzerland and Italy and the importance of the 2026 Winter Olympics for the region. Mr Cassis also used the occasion to reiterate his gratitude for the treatment given by Milan's hospitals to victims from Crans-Montana.
Address for enquiries:
FDFA Communication Bundeshaus West 3003 Bern +41 58 460 55 55 [email protected]
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