Marcelo and Montenegro defend importance of peace conference as ‘first step’

The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, this Wednesday in Bern, defended the importance of the conference for peace in Ukraine, scheduled for next weekend in Switzerland, as a “first step”.

In statements to the press after a meeting with the President of the Swiss Confederation, Viola Amhed, in which the conference was one of the topics discussed, both Montenegro and Marcelo downplayed the projected limited success of the summit, which will not include Russia. – arguing that it was a “very important starting point” that should have been given at some point.

“You need to understand that this summit is the first of several summits. There was going to be a summit, the first one, and Switzerland has moved forward and moved very well,” said Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who will lead the Portuguese delegation to the 15th summit. and on June 16 in Burgenstock, accompanied by Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel.

Also regarding the fact that not all of the approximately 90 delegations present are represented at the highest level, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa noted that “at the first summit, countries may be represented by heads of state, others by heads of government, others by ministers.” foreign affairs and other countries such as Portugal, the head of state and minister of state and foreign affairs,” but, he continued, “what is important is that this first step has been taken.”

“If the first step in the process towards peace is not taken, the fundamental path that we all desire will be lost,” he concluded.

Luis Montenegro also stated that, in his opinion, everyone “should make an effort to enhance the significance of the summit on the one hand, and not try to belittle it, even in the news, before it takes place,” adding that “this is the starting point very important”.

“We have strong hope that the summit can help usher in the path of peace, as it calls itself. And Portugal has set an example, not only because it will be represented at the highest level by His Excellency the President of the Republic and also at government level by the Minister of State and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, but also in all cases that we have not wasted time to draw the attention of other countries to participation,” he said.

“And naturally, as a country that fights for and preserves peace, which in the European Union, in the United Nations, in the CPLP has always been at the forefront of raising awareness so that we can have peace in Ukraine, we will set an example, and we have set example,” he said, adding that together with the President of the Republic, they both had the opportunity “to also thank the Swiss-Swiss Confederation for its commitment to facilitating this meeting.”

The “High-Level Conference on Peace in Ukraine”, which will take place at the Burgenstock resort, on the outskirts of Lucerne, will bring together representatives from more than 90 countries and organizations, but without the participation of Russia or China, with more than half of the European delegations.

The aim of the conference, organized by Switzerland at the request of Ukraine and to which 160 delegations from around the world were invited, is to “stimulate a future peace process” based on “the debates that have taken place in recent months.” , namely the Ukrainian peace plan and other peace proposals based on the Charter of the United Nations and the fundamental principles of international law.”

Ukraine hopes to receive broad international support at this conference for a joint peace plan with the goal of holding a second summit to which Russia will be invited.

The event will be attended by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, US Vice President Kamala Harris, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Prominent among the absentees is Russia, which has repeatedly expressed regret over holding the conference on the basis of the peace plan presented in late 2022 by Zelensky, which calls for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory, financial compensation from Moscow and the creation of a court to try those responsible in Russia – and accused Switzerland of losing neutrality by joining European sanctions, as well as China, one of Moscow’s great allies and seen as a key mediator in future peace talks.

Among the group of countries with developing economies, Brazil will also not participate, considering Moscow’s participation necessary, the presence of a delegation from South Africa remains uncertain, and only India has confirmed its presence, but it is unknown at what level of representation.