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Ignazio Cassis calls for international humanitarian law to be strengthened at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

09.12.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis called for international humanitarian law to be strengthened in his opening speech at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent taking place in Geneva from 9 to 12 December. Mr Cassis praised the vital work of the 17 million volunteers who make up the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

FDFA transports two drinking-water production systems to eastern Ukraine

07.12.2019 — Press release EDA
Swiss Humanitarian Aid has transported two large-scale installations to the Donetsk region to help supply the population in eastern Ukraine with clean drinking water. This is its 11th mission since 2015 in aid of the people living on both sides of the contact line.

Swiss initiative: intentional starvation of civilians in civil wars is now a war crime

06.12.2019 — EDA
Following a Swiss initiative, the International Criminal Court (ICC) will from now on be able to prosecute the intentional starvation of civilians in civil wars as a war crime. The ICC Assembly of States Parties took a unanimous decision to this effect earlier today. It strengthens the protection of victims of war.

Swiss diplomat Heidi Grau named OSCE Special Representative for Ukraine

05.12.2019 — EDA
In a triumph for Swiss diplomacy, the 26th Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has opened with the Chairperson-in-Office, Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák, appointing Ambassador Heidi Grau as Special Representative for Ukraine. A renowned Swiss expert on Eastern Europe, Ambassador Grau thus assumes a key role in working towards an end to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis welcomes the news of her appointment and considers this a testament to the reputation Swiss diplomacy enjoys within and beyond the OSCE.

Cooperation with the UN Security Council in the fight against terrorism: Switzerland's pioneering role

05.12.2019 — EDA
Switzerland and the United Nations cooperate closely in the fight against terrorism. On Thursday in New York, Switzerland presented to the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) the latest developments in its anti-terrorism measures following last year's visit by UN experts.

Walter Kälin appointed to UN High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement

04.12.2019 — EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) welcomes UN Secretary-General António Guterres' decision to appoint Swiss law professor Walter Kälin as one of the experts of the UN's newly established High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement, which is tasked with finding solutions to internal displacement and alleviating its impact.

An exhibition to further understanding the importance of humanitarian principles

04.12.2019 — EDA
Humanitarian action is centred on the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. Together with the Musée de l'Elysée in Lausanne and the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is hosting an exhibition and forum for debate on humanitarian action and its founding principles. The art installation will run until March 2020 at the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum in Geneva.

Switzerland increases earthquake aid to Albania

03.12.2019 — Press release EDA
With the region repeatedly shaken by aftershocks, the rapid response team sent by Swiss Humanitarian Aid (part of the SDC) to the Tirana/Durres area is pursuing three lines of action: The specialists are assessing the stability of damaged houses, aid deliveries have started, and people in the affected areas are to receive financial support.

Adaptation of the bilateral agreement in the area of statistics with the European Union

02.12.2019 — EDA
During its 5th meeting held at Luxembourg on 2 December 2019, the Swiss-EU statistics committee adopted a decision concerning the revision of Annex A of the bilateral agreement in the area of statistics. This revision, which results from a decision of the Federal Council from 22 May 2019, thus makes it possible to continue the good statistical collaboration between Switzerland and the EU. The new Annex A comes into force with immediate effect.

Incident at the Swiss embassy in Sri Lanka: State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl summons Sri Lankan ambassador to the FDFA

02.12.2019 — EDA
Following several demarches from the FDFA over the incident concerning an employee of the Swiss embassy in Colombo, State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl has received the Sri Lankan ambassador to Switzerland based in Berlin, Karunasena Hettiarachchi, in Bern. Ms Baeriswyl confirmed at the meeting that Switzerland supports measures to investigate and settle this matter by due process of law. However, the employee concerned still cannot be questioned on health grounds.

Übergabe des Beglaubigungsschreibens (de)

28.11.2019 — Press release EDA
Übergabe der Beglaubigungsschreiben der neu in der Schweiz akkreditierten Botschafterinnen und Botschafter

Switzerland receives Liechtenstein's new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justice and Culture on her first official visit abroad

28.11.2019 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, received Liechtenstein's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justice and Culture Katrin Eggenberger in Bern on Thursday during her official working visit. The two foreign ministers discussed a number of topics, including this year's centenary of bilateral relations between Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. They also exchanged views on EU relations and on various current international issues.

Media (2416)

10 years on from civil war: FDFA troubled by fresh tensions in Sri Lanka

17.05.2019 — Press release EDA
18 May 2019 marks the 10th anniversary of the end of the civil war in Sri Lanka. On this day, Switzerland will remember the many victims of this armed conflict. At the same time, the FDFA is deeply concerned about the recent flare-up in tensions and calls on the Sri Lankan government to do everything in its power to safeguard and strengthen peace and stability in the country.

FDFA State Secretary on official visit to South Korea for political talks and inauguration of new Swiss embassy building

17.05.2019 — Press release EDA
FDFA State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl met her South Korean counterpart Mr Cho Hyun, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, for political talks today in Seoul. Discussions focused on bilateral cooperation and the strengthening of the multilateral system. Ms Baeriswyl also took part in the inauguration of the new Swiss embassy building in Seoul and along with her South Korean counterpart signed the protocol revising the double taxation agreement between the two countries.

#SwissTech: Switzerland showcases smart technologies in Paris

16.05.2019 — Press release EDA
From 16 to 18 May 2019, Switzerland will take part in Viva Technology (VivaTech) in Paris, one of Europe's foremost technology fairs. The Swiss pavilion, part of Presence Switzerland's current #SwissTech campaign, will feature an interactive show of innovative technologies that help people lead more networked, informed and sustainable lives.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis discusses multilateral cooperation and security in Europe with Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajčák

16.05.2019 — Press release EDA
Mr Cassis, who is the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), has met Mr Lajčák in Bratislava during a working visit to Slovakia. Both foreign ministers highlighted the positive development of their countries bilateral ties and discussed the institutional agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU). Talks concerning multilateral cooperation focused on security in Europe and the work of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Mr Lajčák is the current Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE. Slovakia also currently holds the presidency of the Visegrad Group (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland) and will soon assume the chairmanship of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Federal Council approves revised foreign policy on health

15.05.2019 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council intends to take action in six key areas of international health policy, including sustainable healthcare, global health governance and protection against global health risks. At its meeting on 15 May, the Federal Council adopted the revised Health Foreign Policy for 2019–2024, which addresses current global challenges and is aligned with the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

Swiss representation in Belarus to be upgraded to full embassy

15.05.2019 — Press release EDA
At its meeting on 15 May 2019, the Federal Council decided to upgrade the Swiss representation in Minsk to a full embassy. The decision was based on the steadily growing relations between Switzerland and Belarus. The embassy in Minsk is planned to be opened officially this year by the head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis.

Joining forces against natural disasters: international conference on disaster risk reduction opens in Geneva tomorrow

14.05.2019 — Press release EDA
The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) will be opened by SDC Director General Manuel Sager on 15 May. The international conference, which runs until 17 May, will see over 4,000 experts from some 150 countries discuss global policies on natural disaster prevention. The results are expected to guide UN policy in this area.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travels to Slovakia for working visit and Finland for Council of Europe ministers' meeting

14.05.2019 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will be in Bratislava on 16 May 2019 for bilateral talks with the Slovak Minister of Foreign Affairs Miroslav Lajčák. He will then attend the Council of Europe ministerial session in Helsinki on 17 May.

Ignazio Cassis marks centenary of International Labour Organization with António Guterres and meets UN executive heads

08.05.2019 — Press release EDA
On 8 May 2019, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travelled to Geneva to commemorate with António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, the 100th anniversary of the International Labour Organization (ILO). The creation of the ILO and – in the same year – the League of Nations, marked the beginning of multilateralism in Geneva. The head of the FDFA took the opportunity to meet the 31 heads of the UN specialised agencies, which are holding a meeting from 8 to 10 May 2019 in Geneva.

Escalation of hostilities in north-western Syria – FDFA statement

08.05.2019 — Press release EDA
The FDFA is deeply concerned by the escalation of hostilities in the Syrian province of Idlib and calls on the parties to the conflict to return to the negotiating table. Furthermore, it calls on the states guaranteeing the 'de-escalation zone' and the signatory states of the Sochi Agreement to do everything in their power to comply with international law, especially humanitarian law, and to work towards an end to hostilities.

Meeting in Bern between Ignazio Cassis and Bhutanese foreign minister Tandi Dorji

07.05.2019 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, has met the Bhutanese foreign minister, Tandi Dorji, for official talks in Bern. Switzerland and the Himalayan state can look back on many years of friendly relations, which for a long time were based primarily on development cooperation. The two countries' economic and political relations meanwhile are steadily expanding.

Escalation of violence between the Gaza Strip and Israel – statement by the FDFA

06.05.2019 — Press release EDA
While welcoming the ceasefire reached by the parties, Switzerland expresses its deep concern at the escalating violence between Israel and the Gaza Strip. It condemns in the strongest terms the hundreds of indiscriminate rocket attacks launched on inhabited areas of Israel from the Gaza Strip.

Other news (296)

Discover the world with the FDFA and with peace mind

17.01.2020 — Article EDA
Just what is the perfect trip abroad? And where would it take you? Swiss travellers have different needs and expectations – some prefer to go on their own, others would rather choose an organised tour. It doesn't matter if you're a backpacker or a jet-setter: the FDFA provides a wide range of services for anyone who wants to travel abroad.

Honeyland Oscar nominee

14.01.2020 — Article DEZA
Honeyland has been nominated for an Oscar in the categories Best International Feature Film and Best Documentary. The film’s hero, Hatidze Muratova, champions environmental protection and the sustainable management of natural resources. She was discovered through the Nature Conservation Programme launched by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Switzerland and Italy reach an agreement on Campione d'Italia

20.12.2019 — EDA
At its meeting on 20 December 2019, the Federal Council approved an exchange of notes between Switzerland and Italy regarding the change of the customs status of the Italian enclave of Campione d'Italia. This exchange of notes is necessary to ensure legal certainty and facilitates the transition of Campione d'Italia into the European Union's customs territory, scheduled for 1 January 2020.

Third meeting of the Working Group on Unresolved Issues established by the Joint Committee supervising the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation

19.12.2019 — EDA
On 16 and 17 December 2019 a third meeting of the Working Group on Unresolved Issues established by the Joint Committee, supervising the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation on the basic principles for a mechanism of customs administration and monitoring of trade in goods, signed on 9 November 2011, took place in Bern.

First Global Refugee Forum in Geneva brings together actors committed to finding shared solutions

17.12.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has opened the Global Refugee Forum together with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. The purpose of the forum, which takes place on 17 and 18 December at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, is to find shared solutions to meet the needs of refugees and their host communities.

National human rights institution to be established in Switzerland

13.12.2019 — EDA
On 13 December 2019, the Federal Council approved the proposal to establish a national human rights institution (NHRI). The Federal Council has thereby strengthened its constitutionally enshrined commitment to human rights. With the model of a public corporation, it takes into account the results of the consultation procedure. The NHRI will be independent, include members from across society and receive an annual financial support from the Confederation.

Federal Council extends freeze on assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine

13.12.2019 — EDA
On 13 December 2019, the Federal Council decided to extend for one year the preventive freeze on the assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine. The purpose of this decision is to support the judicial cooperation between Switzerland and these two states.

Humanitarian aid responds to digital and climate challenges – 33rd Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent comes to a close

12.12.2019 — EDA
The 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent ended today in Geneva. The conference adopted six resolutions that will enable the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to improve its actions and adapt them to the needs of vulnerable groups, in a world where the demand for humanitarian aid has never been so high. The topic of digitalisation was on the agenda for discussion, for example in restoring family links broken by crisis situations. The conference was opened by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on Monday 9 December.

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