Press release

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François-Philippe Champagne, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs visits Bern

24.08.2020 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met with Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs François-Philippe Champagne this morning in Bern. The official working visit took place against the backdrop of a shared intention on the part of Switzerland and Canada to intensify their bilateral relations. The two foreign ministers spoke of their countries' strong relations and discussed many other topical international issues such as the crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the situation in Lebanon.

Switzerland increases contribution to Green Climate Fund to strengthen climate protection in developing countries

19.08.2020 — Press release EDA
In a landmark decision in the fight against climate change, on 19 August 2020 the Federal Council approved a USD 150 million contribution to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) over the next four years. The GCF helps developing countries implement the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by funding their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.

2020 virtual annual conference: live – with Swiss Humanitarian Aid

19.08.2020 — Press release EDA
Humanitarian challenges in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic will be the focus of the 2020 Annual Conference of Swiss Humanitarian Aid, which this year will take place online from 1.30pm to 3pm on 20 August. This free event will take you behind the scenes of Swiss Humanitarian Aid at head office in Bern.

Beirut explosion: Switzerland steps up relief aid

14.08.2020 — Press release EDA
The immense scale of the explosion in the Lebanese capital on 4 August has severely affected the country's health system. On 13 and 14 August 2020, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs sent more Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit experts to Beirut.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu meet to discuss bilateral relations and an open and constructive dialogue between Switzerland and Turkey

14.08.2020 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), met today with his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, who was on an official visit to Bern. The two foreign ministers reaffirmed their commitment to build on the good bilateral relations between the two countries. "Turkey is a very important partner for Switzerland, and we intend to pursue an open and constructive dialogue," said Mr Cassis. He also offered Turkey Switzerland's good offices, for example to find a resolution to the Cyprus issue. The ministers also discussed the international crisis surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, rising tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and the situation in Libya.

Private security services provided abroad: almost 500 declarations in 2019

12.08.2020 — Press release EDA
In 2019, the Federal Administration received 478 declarations from companies wishing to provide, from Switzerland, private security services abroad, according to the annual report on the implementation of the Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad. The competent authority initiated a review procedure in 26 cases. The Federal Council took note of the report at its meeting on 12 August 2020.

Federal Council adopts report on Switzerland's implementation of international humanitarian law

12.08.2020 — Press release EDA
Bern, 12.08.2020 – On 12 August 2020, the Federal Council adopted a voluntary report on the implementation of international humanitarian law by Switzerland. Seventy-one years after the adoption on 12 August 1949 of the Geneva Conventions, Switzerland is one of the first states to do so. Respecting, strengthening and promoting international humanitarian law are written into Switzerland's DNA. Switzerland intends to set an example and encourage other states to take similar initiatives. This would foster dialogue among states in order to improve the protection of victims of conflicts worldwide.

Coronavirus: Large-scale events to be permitted from October under strict conditions and with a permit

12.08.2020 — Press release EDA
At its meeting on 12 August, the Federal Council took the decision to re-allow events for more than 1000 people from 1 October. Strict protective measures will apply and the events will have to be authorised by the cantons, taking into account the local epidemiological situation and their contact tracing capacity. The Federal Council thereby intends to ensure that the epidemiological situation in Switzerland does not deteriorate. At the same time, this careful reopening step takes into account the needs of society and the economic interests of sports clubs and cultural venues.

Unrest in Belarus after the presidential elections: Switzerland calls for respect for human rights

11.08.2020 — Press release EDA
After the presidential elections, the authorities in Belarus have responded to popular protests with force. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is deeply concerned about the tense situation and calls on the Belarusian authorities to exercise restraint and allow peaceful demonstrations.

Beirut explosion: Switzerland dispatches a team of specialists

06.08.2020 — Press release EDA
A team of Swiss specialists including civil engineers and logistics experts travelled to Beirut on 6 August 2020 in response to an international appeal for help from the Lebanese authorities following the devastating explosion.

Ignazio Cassis: "Switzerland is on the move, because we are on the move"

31.07.2020 — Press release EDA
To mark Swiss National Day on 1 August, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, paid a surprise visit to the more than 400 young people at a summer camp at the National Youth Sports Centre in Tenero, Ticino. Mr Cassis expressed his pride and confidence in the young people from all of Switzerland's language regions. Their joy of playing and their urge to be active are a symbol of the joie de vivre of a country that is looking ahead after a long period of lockdown.

Mission August 1st!

29.07.2020 — Press release EDA
In this exceptional year, the FDFA is organising 'Mission August 1st' as an online celebration of Swiss National Day for Swiss people living abroad.

Media (2606)

Nicolas Bideau to be new head of Presence Switzerland

07.05.2010 — Press release EDA
Nicolas Bideau, head of the Film section in the Federal Office of Culture (FOC), will become head of Presence Switzerland (PRS) at the beginning of 2011. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has appointed him to succeed Johannes Matyassy, who will take up an ambassadorship abroad in 2011.

Swiss Pavilion opens at Shanghai Expo

05.05.2010 — Press release EDA
The Swiss Pavilion in at the Shanghai Expo – the largest Expo to date - opened its doors today. As part of its strategy of communication abroad, Switzerland will be presenting itself in an open and inter-active pavilion covering 4,000 square metres. The chosen topic – Rural-Urban Interaction – is dealt with in a playful manner. The organisers expect 2.5 million visitors in the coming months.

Switzerland demands an action plan on nuclear disarmament

04.05.2010 — Press release EDA
Switzerland calls on the signatories of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to adopt an action plan on nuclear disarmament. Furthermore, nuclear weapons should generally no longer be considered legitimate.

Minister of Foreign Affairs to attend Non Proliferation Treaty Conference

30.04.2010 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), is to attend the high-level meetings of 3-4 May opening the 8th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in New York.

Expert meeting on the return of the illicit assets of politically exposed persons to the countries of origin

30.04.2010 — Press release EDA
From 28.-30.04.2010 in Lausanne, over 40 government experts from 25 countries discussed the problems of returning the illicitly acquired assets of politically exposed persons to the countries of origin. The seminar was organised by Switzerland in conjunction with the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (StAR) which is co-financed by the UN and the World Bank. StAR will publish the seminar findings in a conference journal.

The Federal Council presents a draft law on the restitution of illicit assets to the two chambers of parliament

28.04.2010 — Press release EDA
Following the consultation procedure which opened on 24 February 2010, the Federal Council decided today to present to the two chambers of parliament a draft law on the restitution of the illicit assets of politically exposed persons (PEPs). The vast majority of participants in the consultation procedure welcomed the draft law, which underlines Switzerland's global pioneering role in the restitution of illicitly acquired assets.

Democracy and Decentralisation

27.04.2010 — Press release EDA
On 3 and 4 May 2010, the University of St. Gallen’s Executive Campus will host the International Conference on Democracy and Decentralisation. The conference takes place under the patronage of the Swiss Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The first day of the Conference will be open to the general public.

Human rights dialogue between Switzerland and Vietnam

25.04.2010 — Press release EDA
A Vietnamese delegation visited Bern from 22 to 24 April for the eighth round of dialogue on human rights and international organisations. The talks focused on legal issues, the protection of minority rights, freedom of religion and the rights of women, as well as international human rights questions.

Visit by Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey to Sarajevo for the Council of Europe

23.04.2010 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, Chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, held talks with representatives of the authorities and of political parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 22 April. The main purpose of the talks was to identify and to discuss ways of bringing the constitutional and legal framework of Bosnia-Herzegovina into line with its commitments and obligations as a member of the Council of Europe.

IMF and World Bank Group 2010 Spring Meetings

22.04.2010 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Hans-Rudolf Merz as head of the Swiss delegation, Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard and Philipp Hildebrand, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), will take part in the joint Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Washington from 24 to 25 April 2010. The most important topics of discussion in the meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) will be the exit strategies from the extraordinary support measures and the strengthening of the mandate and the governance structure of the IMF. The focus of the discussions in the Development Committee (DC) will be the strategy of the World Bank, the current governance reforms and the progress on achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Switzerland ratifies the United Nations Convention on Jurisdictional Immunities of States and Their Property

16.04.2010 — Press release EDA
Today, Switzerland has ratified the United Nations Convention of 2 December 2004 on Jurisdictional Immunities of States and Their Property. It is the ninth State to ratify the Convention which, once it enters into force, will contribute to enhancing legal certainty in the area of immunities both for foreign States in Switzerland and for Switzerland abroad.

Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina on behalf of the Council of Europe

16.04.2010 — Press release EDA
In her capacity as President of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Micheline Calmy-Rey will travel to Sarajevo on Monday 19 April 2010 for a series of talks.

Other news (297)

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.

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.

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