The Ticino Council of State welcomed Roberto Balzaretti, Swiss Ambassador to Rome, to the Palazzo delle Orsoline in Lugano, for a meeting that confirmed the desire to strengthen dialogue between Switzerland and Italy.
Balzaretti, who assumed his diplomatic role in Rome in January 2025 after a four-year stint in Paris as Swiss ambassador to France and the Principality of Monaco, met with cantonal authorities for a moment of reflection on bilateral relations. The meeting was attended by the President of the Council of State, Norman Gobbi, together with the other members of the cantonal government.
Topics at the centre of the debate
During the courtesy visit, the agenda touched on highly topical political and social issues. The role of Ticino as a natural bridge between the two countries, not only economically but also culturally and institutionally, was discussed. Developments in cross-border flows, academic and scientific collaborations, and the opportunities arising from Italian-Swiss economic networks were analyzed.
The meeting also reaffirmed the importance of dialogue between Rome and Bern at a time when new geopolitical and energy challenges are emerging, which inevitably have regional repercussions.
A Ticinese in Rome
Born and raised in Ticino, Roberto Balzaretti brings to the Italian capital not only his extensive diplomatic experience but also a keen eye for issues that directly impact the Canton. His career, built through prestigious assignments in Europe, allows him to expertly navigate the delicate balance of international relations.
A symbolic presence
The visit to Bellinzona was not operational, but it had an important symbolic value: it confirmed the closeness between federal institutions, the diplomatic corps, and the cantonal authorities. The official photographs of the meeting, made available by the State Chancellery, underscore the dialogue and collaboration that characterized the event.
