FDFA news

Partenaires de la coopération Suisse parmi les victimes d’une attaque contre des populations civiles au Mali (fr)

19.06.2019 — Press release EDA
La Suisse condamne avec la plus grande fermeté les nouvelles attaques commises les 17 et 18 juin dans la région de Mopti (centre du Mali). Parmi les victimes de ces actes épouvantables figurent des membres d’une association partenaire de la coopération Suisse au Mali.

Switzerland's 70-year membership of UNESCO – Ignazio Cassis speaks of UNESCO's exceptional power of mobilisation and the need for reform

17.06.2019 — Press release EDA
On Monday, at an event in Bern to mark Switzerland's 70-year membership of UNESCO, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis acknowledged "the commitment of those who work for the preservation of memory and development of knowledge". Speaking to an audience of representatives from international organisations, federal offices, the cantons and civil society, Mr Cassis highlighted UNESCO's power of mobilisation and the need for reform to address the challenges of the digital age. He also referred to Switzerland's candidacy for election to the UNESCO Executive Board for the period 2020–23.

Switzerland to strengthen its presence in the House of Switzerland at the WEF in Davos

14.06.2019 — Press release EDA
At its meeting of 14 June 2019, the Federal Council decided to institutionalise the current House of Switzerland (HoS) at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. Under the aegis of Presence Switzerland, the HoS will be established in the home stadium of Hockey Club Davos to serve as a communication and networking platform for the official Swiss delegation to the WEF.

Ignazio Cassis inaugurates new Swiss embassy in Moscow and meets Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

13.06.2019 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will pay a working visit to Russia from 18 to 19 June 2019. The visit will focus on a working meeting with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the inauguration of the new Swiss embassy building in Moscow.

Switzerland holds dialogue round with Iran

13.06.2019 — Press release EDA
As part of annual bilateral consultations, a high-ranking Iranian delegation comprised of representatives of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and judiciary visited Switzerland on 12 and 13 June. Bilateral, regional and multilateral matters, as well as judicial and human rights issues, were discussed within the framework of the existing dialogue formats. The consultations were held against the backdrop of tensions that have recently affected regional and global stability. Switzerland and Iran also signed an agreement on good offices.

2018 annual report on international cooperation: commitment to sustainable development and a stable international environment

11.06.2019 — Press release EDA
In 2018, 700 million people were living in extreme poverty and 70 million people were displaced. Switzerland works to combat poverty, overcome global challenges like climate change and promote peace and human rights. This is a significant contribution to sustainable development and a stable international environment, as can be seen in the 2018 annual report on international cooperation published today by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER).

Switzerland renews support to UNHCR

07.06.2019 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council agreed at its meeting of 7 June 2019 to make a CHF 125 million contribution to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for the 2019–22 period. The large number of crises around the world in 2018 meant that more than 21 million people received assistance and protection from UNHCR programmes, which are primarily implemented in neighbouring regions. Switzerland's partnership with the UNHCR is key to implementing its strategy linking international cooperation and national migration interests. In addition, Switzerland promotes its priorities within the Executive Committee of the UNHCR, the UN's largest organisation headquartered in Geneva.

Institutional agreement Switzerland-EU: Federal Council to demand clarifications

07.06.2019 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council intends to consolidate and further develop the bilateral approach, the cornerstone of relations between Switzerland and the EU. This also requires the search for solutions to the institutional issues. At its meeting of 7 June 2019, it approved the report on the consultations on the institutional agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) and decided to demand clarifications. The Federal Council also underlined that maintaining the current level of wage protection was a key Swiss demand and that the social partners and the cantons would be closely involved in the next steps of the process.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo in Switzerland

02.06.2019 — Press release EDA
For the first time in two decades, a US secretary of state has visited Switzerland for bilateral talks. On Sunday 2 June 2019, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received his counterpart Michael Pompeo in Castelgrande in Bellinzona for an official working visit.

Federal Council launches consultations on two international inland navigation treaties

29.05.2019 — Press release EDA
At its meeting of 29 May 2019, the Federal Council initiated a consultation process regarding two international agreements on inland navigation – the Strasbourg Convention of 2012 on the limitation of liability in inland navigation and the Convention on the collection, deposit and reception of waste produced during navigation on the Rhine and Inland Waterways. Both areas covered by the treaties are already subject to regulation, but new factors require that the agreements be brought up-to-date. The first convention has been re-drafted and substantive provisions have been added to the second.

Fighting impunity: Federal Council adopts dispatch on amendments to the Rome Statute

29.05.2019 — Press release EDA
At its meeting on 29 May 2019 the Federal Council reaffirmed its commitment to fighting impunity for the most serious international crimes by adopting the dispatch on ratification of the amendments of 14 December 2017 to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). These amendments propose to extend the ICC's jurisdiction by adding the employment of biological weapons, blinding laser weapons and weapons that cause injury by fragments undetectable by x-rays to the list of punishable war crimes.

2,500 tonnes of relief supplies for eastern Ukraine

27.05.2019 — Press release EDA
Switzerland pursues its humanitarian aid efforts in the east of Ukraine. The SDC has sent another shipment of urgently needed supplies to the civilian population on both sides of the contact line in the conflict zone. It is the tenth consignment of humanitarian aid to eastern Ukraine since 2015. In accordance with humanitarian principles, Switzerland's direct action is supporting people regardless of which side of the contact line they live on.

OSCE Chair in Office and Secretary General at NATO to present the Organization’s contribution to co-operative security response regarding Ukraine

— Press release EDA

Press release

The Federal Council concludes an agreement on privileges and immunities with the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers’ Association

18.11.2019 — EDA
On 18 November 2019 Switzerland and the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers’ Association (ICoCA) signed an agreement on the privileges and immunities accorded to the association in Switzerland. ICoCA plays a major role in ensuring compliance with the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers and in promoting the responsible provision of security services.

UNESCO General Conference: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis advocates Executive Board seat for Switzerland

14.11.2019 — EDA
Speaking at the UNESCO General Conference in Paris, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis called for minorities to be respected, pointing out that this is essential to democratic processes. He also said that Switzerland supports the reform proposals intended to enhance the organisation’s effectiveness and explained the strengths Switzerland can bring to the UNESCO Executive Board. Switzerland is campaigning to gain a seat on the Executive Board in the election on 20 November 2019.

Zukunftstag 2019: Was die jungen Gäste im EDA beeindruckte (de/fr/it)

14.11.2019 — EDA
Rund 90 Kinder und Jugendliche haben am Zukunftstag 2019 ihren Eltern oder Bekannten bei der Arbeit im Eidgenössischen Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA über die Schulter und hinter die Kulissen des Departements geschaut. Generalsekretär Markus Seiler zeigte den jungen Gästen das Bundesratszimmer sowie das Büro von Bundesrat Ignazio Cassis, der sich an diesem Tag in Paris befand. An verschiedenen Workshops konnten die Kinder und Jugendlichen verschiedene Aspekte aus der Arbeit des EDA vertieft kennenlernen.

UNESCO General Conference (fr)

14.11.2019 — EDA
Paris, 14.11.2019 – Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis – Check against delivery

Linking of the Swiss and EU emissions trading systems: Federal Council approves revision of the CO2 Ordinance

13.11.2019 — EDA
At its meeting on 13 November 2019, the Federal Council approved the revised Ordinance on the Reduction of CO2 Emissions. This, together with the amendment to the CO2 Act adopted in March 2019 and the agreement with the EU, will enter into force on 1 January 2020. From 2020, emissions from civil aviation and fossil fuel power stations will also be included in the Swiss ETS, as is already the case in the EU. Linking the two schemes allows companies in the Swiss ETS to trade emission allowances in the larger EU emissions market.

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

12.11.2019 — EDA
The FDFA is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East and calls on all parties to restore calm immediately.

Education, environment and protection of minorities – Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travels to UNESCO General Conference in Paris

12.11.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will represent Switzerland at the UNESCO General Conference on 14 November 2019. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) will call for respect for minorities, which is a key element of the democratic process. New members of the UNESCO Executive Board will also be elected during the three-week session. Switzerland – one of the candidates – is one of the biggest contributors to UNESCO measured by population.

FDFA calls for end to violence and new elections in Bolivia

11.11.2019 — EDA
The FDFA is closely following recent political developments in Bolivia with concern and calls for new elections to reflect the political will of the people. The FDFA stands ready to support Bolivia in preparing for such elections.

International Law Day 2019: FDFA Directorate of International Law launches discussion on 'soft law'

08.11.2019 — EDA
The FDFA Directorate of International Law (DIL) held its annual International Law Day on 8 November. This year’s event focused on soft law. The event provided an opportunity to discuss this topical issue in the presence of Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and a broad audience, and in particular to consider how to better involve Parliament in soft law matters.

Swiss woman injured in Jordan

06.11.2019 — EDA
The FDFA is assisting a Swiss woman wounded in a knife attack on 6 November in the Jordanian city of Jerash. She has received medical treatment and her life is not in danger. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis was informed directly by his counterpart, Jordan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi, who reassured him that the Swiss tourist is being cared for in Jordan.

FDFA notes resignation of UNRWA Commissioner-General

06.11.2019 — EDA
The United Nations (UN) has announced the resignation of the Commissioner-General for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Pierre Krähenbühl. The announcement follows the launch of an investigation into misconduct allegations involving UNRWA's management. The FDFA notes the resignation and calls for a full and thorough clarification of the facts. Switzerland will withhold payment of its project contributions pending the outcome of the investigation.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization

05.11.2019 — EDA
Switzerland ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) precisely 20 years ago. To mark the occasion, Federal Councillor and Head of the FDFA Ignazio Cassis met with the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Lassina Zerbo, in Bern. During the meeting, Mr Cassis emphasised the CTBT’s indispensable role in building a world without nuclear weapons. The CTBTO works closely with scientific institutions, including the Swiss Seismological Service at ETH Zurich in Davos, to monitor compliance with the ban. These monitoring activities are also an example of how science and diplomacy can work together to solve political problems.