Press release

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Bilateral affairs and Swiss–EU relations high on the agenda for Ignazio Cassis' visit to Paris

18.06.2021 — Press release EDA
On 17 June, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met France's Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian in Paris. Talks focused on Swiss–EU relations and relations between Switzerland and France. Various international issues of current concern were also discussed.

Switzerland takes part in International Donors' Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants

17.06.2021 — Press release EDA
On 17 June the international community came together at the Canada-organised International Donors' Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants. Patricia Danzi, Director General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), represented Switzerland. This year, Switzerland will commit over CHF 12 million to humanitarian aid in Venezuela and the region.

Meeting in Geneva with Russia’s President Putin focuses on good offices and economic relations

16.06.2021 — Press release EDA
A Swiss delegation led by President Guy Parmelin met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his delegation on Wednesday, 16 June, following the Geneva summit. The talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations, security in Europe and Switzerland’s good offices.

Ignazio Cassis to meet Jean-Yves Le Drian in Paris

16.06.2021 — Press release EDA
On Thursday 17 June, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will be in Paris to meet with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian. Talks will focus on Swiss–EU relations and relations between Switzerland and France.

Expanding bilateral cooperation with Sudan: FDFA-FDJP delegation has visited Khartoum for talks

15.06.2021 — Press release EDA
A delegation led by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) travelled to Sudan for political consultations from 13 to 14 June. The talks focused on the priorities of the Federal Council's Sub-Saharan Africa Strategy 2021–24, strengthening peacebuilding efforts and development cooperation, closer cooperation in the area of migration and aspects of economic development and debt relief.

Innovation, education, the economy and good offices at the centre of USA-Switzerland talks in Geneva

15.06.2021 — Press release EDA
Delegations from Switzerland and the USA met in Geneva in the run-up to the upcoming summit between US President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, 16 June 2021. The talks focused on further strengthening economic relations and cooperation in education and research. Switzerland's good offices were also a topic of discussion.

Biden – Putin summit: strengthened air policing and airspace restrictions

11.06.2021 — Press release EDA
At its meeting on 11 June 2021, the Federal Council approved a temporary restriction on the use of airspace during the summit between President Biden and President Putin from 15 to 17 June 2021 in Geneva. The Swiss Air Force will provide air policing and tighter airspace surveillance. The armed forces will also set up a support service to assist the civilian authorities in providing security on a subsidiary basis.

Through education, towards sustainable development: Switzerland renews support for global Partnership for Education

11.06.2021 — Press release EDA
The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) is an important multilateral partner of Switzerland for the implementation of its international cooperation objectives in the field of education. At its meeting on 11 June 2021, the Federal Council therefore decided to continue its support for the GPE and is making CHF 52 million available to the organisation for the period 2021–25.

Private security services provided abroad in 2020: fifth annual report of the competent authority of the FDFA

11.06.2021 — Press release EDA
In 2020, the Federal Administration received 495 declarations from companies wishing to provide, from Switzerland, private security services abroad, according to the fifth annual report on the implementation of the Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad. The FDFA draws a positive assessment of 2020's activities. The declarations listed in this reporting period were made under the previous legislation in force until the end of 2020. The Federal Council took note of the report at its meeting on 11 June 2021.

Bilateral meetings with the USA and Russia in the framework of the Geneva Summit

11.06.2021 — Press release EDA
The high-level summit between US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin will take place at Villa La Grange in Geneva on Wednesday 16 June. Switzerland will also hold separate meetings with both the United States and Russia during the summit to discuss bilateral matters.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visits Vienna: signing of memorandum of understanding on new strategic partnership between Switzerland and Austria

10.06.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, will travel to Austria on 11 June. In Vienna, together with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg, he will sign a memorandum of understanding on the strategic partnership between the two countries. The following day, Mr Cassis will take part in the Europa-Forum Wachau and meet with Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.

State Secretary Livia Leu in United States on working visit

09.06.2021 — Press release EDA
State Secretary Livia Leu visited the United States on her first working visit outside Europe. In Washington she met with high-ranking representatives from the US administration. The meetings focused on bilateral relations and Switzerland's good offices.

Media (2718)

COVID-19: Switzerland is contributing CHF 300 million to global health protection

28.04.2021 — Press release EDA
Bern, 28 April 2021 – The Federal Council is committed to ensuring equitable access to vaccines, tests and medicines worldwide in order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic sustainably. Accordingly, it decided at its meeting today to support the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator initiative with CHF 300 million. This initiative aims to improve access to immunization, testing and medication in developing countries and bolster local healthcare systems.

COVID-19 in India: Switzerland sends aid to support Indian hospitals

28.04.2021 — Press release EDA
Switzerland is supporting India, which is facing a dramatic situation in the health sector due to the COVID-19 crisis. Switzerland's Humanitarian Aid will deliver several hundred oxygen concentrators and respirators. The Confederation has earmarked an amount of one million Swiss francs to provide this assistance within the next few days.

Commodities: Federal Council remains committed to a competitive, integrated business hub

21.04.2021 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council has approved on 21 April 2021 the first status report on the implementation of the recommendations of the 2018 report on the Swiss commodities sector, which shows that significant progress has been made in improving the framework conditions for the commodities sector, while at the same time strengthening its integrity.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó

20.04.2021 — Press release EDA
On Tuesday 20 April 2021, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó, for an official working meeting in Bern. Their talks focused on bilateral relations, Hungary's upcoming chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, and the socio-political and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pierre von Arx appointed head of the OSCE mission in Uzbekistan

20.04.2021 — Press release EDA
The chairperson-in-office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Swedish foreign minister Ann Linde, has appointed Swiss diplomat Pierre von Arx as head of the OSCE mission in Uzbekistan.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives Belarusian Foreign Minister in Bern

20.04.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, received the Foreign Minister of Belarus, Uladzimir Makei, on a courtesy visit to Bern on 20 April 2021. Their talks focused on the current situation in Belarus and the case of Natallia Hersche, a Swiss-Belarusian dual citizen who is currently serving a prison term.

Science diplomacy and cross-border cooperation focus of German-speaking foreign ministers' meeting in Lugano

16.04.2021 — Press release EDA
At the invitation of Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the annual meeting of foreign ministers from the five German-speaking countries took place today in Lugano. The talks focused on cross-border cooperation, including the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, science diplomacy in digital foreign policy and other topics of European and international interest.

Switzerland presents report on implementation of UN Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance

15.04.2021 — Press release EDA
From 13 to 15 April 2021, Switzerland presented its report on its implementation of the International Convention to the UN Committee. The report underlines Switzerland's commitment to worldwide efforts fighting the crime of enforced disappearance.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives new Foreign Minister of Liechtenstein Dominique Hasler

15.04.2021 — Press release EDA
Today, for the first time, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received Dominique Hasler, the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport of the Principality of Liechtenstein. This is the first official working visit of Liechtenstein's new foreign minister in Switzerland. It focused on cross-border and bilateral relations as well as European and international issues.

Swiss official development assistance at 0.48% of gross national income in 2020

13.04.2021 — Press release EDA
In 2020, Swiss official development assistance (ODA) amounted to CHF 3.343 billion, CHF 263 million more than in 2019. As a share of gross national income (GNI), Swiss ODA totalled 0.48%.

Humanitarian aid and Syria crisis at centre of Ignazio Cassis's visit to Lebanon

08.04.2021 — Press release EDA
During his visit to Lebanon, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visited the port of Beirut and a hospital destroyed by the explosion of 4 August 2020, which was rebuilt with Switzerland's help. He also visited a settlement of Syrian refugees. Together with Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbe and President Michel Aoun he discussed the economic and political problems in Lebanon. This marked the final stage of Mr Cassis's trip to the Middle East, which also encompassed Iraq and Oman.

Switzerland at IMF and World Bank virtual Spring Meetings and virtual G20 Finance Ministers Meeting

08.04.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer and Thomas Jordan, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, are attending the virtual Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) on 8 and 9 April 2021. The focus of the Annual Meetings, as well as the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting, is on tackling the COVID-19 crisis globally and supporting poorer countries.

Other news (298)

"Digitalisation - an opportunity for Europe's democratic values"

21.05.2021 — EDA
Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), on the occasion of the 131st (virtual) Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Check against delivery.

Official opening of the Ceneri Base Tunnel

04.09.2020 — EDA
Camorino, 04.09.2020 - Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the Inauguration Ceremony "Ceneri2020" - Check against delivery

Passaggio di testimone tra generazioni (de-fr-it)

25.08.2020 — EDA
Bern, 25.08.2020: Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the retirement of the ambassadors and the welcoming of the young diplomats who are taking up their posts in the service of the FDFA. Check against delivery.

75 years of the United Nations (fr)

26.06.2020 — EDA
Geneva, 26.06.2020: Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the 75th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter - Check against delivery

Opening of the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council (fr)

24.02.2020 — EDA
Geneva, 24.02.2020 - Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis - Check against delivery

SDC Newsletter: Africa, CO2 reduction and WEF

29.01.2020 — DEZA
The FDFA has showcased some innovative technology at the 50th WEF, which could reduce global CO2 emissions by millions of tonnes per year. The SDC undertakes a range of projects in the construction industry, working in cooperation with academia and the private sector. The aim of these projects, which are located in emerging economies, is to tackle global warming effectively.

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.

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