Press release

All news (2903)

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)

Switzerland condemns the execution of two Palestinians in a Gaza prison

16.04.2010 — Press release EDA
Switzerland strongly condemns the execution of two Palestinians accused of collaboration. The execution took place on 15 April 2010 in a prison in Gaza on the orders of the Gaza authorities.

Signing of an agreement on nuclear disarmament between the United States and Russia

08.04.2010 — Press release EDA
The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) welcomes the signing in Prague today of a new agreement on reducing strategic nuclear weapons by the United States and the Russian Federation.

Call for project proposals for the Polish-Swiss research programme

01.04.2010 — Press release EDA
As part of the enlargement contribution, Switzerland is supporting a research cooperation programme with Poland to the tune of 19 million francs. In the invitation published on 1 April 2010, interested Polish and Swiss research institutions are asked to submit project proposals.

UN reconstruction conference in New York: Switzerland to support Haiti with 90 million Swiss francs

01.04.2010 — Press release EDA
Switzerland will enter into a long-term engagement in Haiti. At the UN Donors' Conference in New York on 31 March 2010, SDC Director-General Martin Dahinden expressed Switzerland's solidarity with the earthquake-ravaged Caribbean country. Until 2012, the Swiss Confederation will contribute a total of CHF 35.9 million to the rebuilding of Haiti, while an additional CHF 55 million will come from donations collected directly by Swiss Solidarity and its partner organisations.

Conference on child begging and trafficking in children

31.03.2010 — Press release EDA
Swiss cities, such as Bern, Zurich, Geneva, and Basel, find themselves confronted with a surge in organised begging in the streets. There are also many children to be found among the groups of beggars originating primarily from Romania. The well-founded suspicion exists that there is a link between the begging scene and trafficking in children. With the objective of developing strategies to solve this problem, FDFA Political Affairs Division IV Human Security, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and the Coordination Centre against Human Trafficking and Smuggling invited specialists from Switzerland and abroad to a meeting in Bern.

FDFA supports the dissolution of the Global Humanitarian Forum with socially compatible measures

31.03.2010 — Press release EDA
The "Forum Humanitaire mondial – Global Humanitarian Forum" (GHF) in Geneva is over-indebted and is obliged to cease activity. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA is prepared to ensure the payment of salaries and social contributions for GHF staff during the contractual period of notice. In addition, the FDFA will shoulder half of the GHF’s outstanding debts. In an attempt to find a socially acceptable solution, a total amount of CHF 1.75 million, has been planned for this purpose.

Swiss Official Development Assistance in 2009

31.03.2010 — Press release EDA
In 2009, Switzerland spent CHF 2,499 million on Official Development Assistance (ODA). This represents 0.47% of its Gross National Product (2008: 0.44%).

Meeting of the Joint Confederation-Canton of Geneva Permanent Group

26.03.2010 — Press release EDA
On 26 March 2010, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, met State Councillors Isabel Rochat, Mark Muller and David Hiler, representing the government of the Canton of Geneva, in the framework of the meeting in Geneva of the Joint Confederation-Canton of Geneva Permanent Group to discuss the priorities of International Geneva.

Meeting between Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey and Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative

24.03.2010 — Press release EDA
On Wednesday 24 March 2010, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey met Catherine Ashton, the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy of the EU and First-Vice-President of the European Commission, in Brussels for talks. The meeting was their first official encounter since Baroness Ashton’s appointment as High Representative. The talks covered bilateral relations, various international issues and the conflict between Switzerland and Libya.

Swiss support for the UN World Food Programme

24.03.2010 — Press release EDA
For the years 2010 and 2011 Switzerland will provide financial support totalling CHF 42 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). Today, the Federal Council has decided on this amount which will be covered by the current framework credit for the Swiss Confederation’s Humanitarian Aid.

Switzerland supports the international reconstruction effort in Haiti

24.03.2010 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council has decided to earmark the sum of CHF 36 million until the end of 2012 for the reconstruction effort in Haiti. In particular, Switzerland will be active in repairing and reconditioning basic infrastructure, in rural development and food security. These activities will be financed by framework credits already in place.

Federal Councillor Calmy-Rey meets Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the EU

22.03.2010 — Press release EDA
On 24 March Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey will travel to Brussels for talks with Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission. This will be Mrs Calmy-Rey's first official meeting with Mrs Ashton since the latter took up her post.

Other news (297)

The Confederation and the Canton and City of Geneva pay tribute to 100 years of multilateralism and the city's role as a centre for global governance

16.09.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis, President of the Geneva State Council Antonio Hodgers and Administrative Councillor of the City of Geneva Sami Kanaan have signed a joint declaration underscoring the key role played by International Geneva in addressing future challenges. The joint declaration pays tribute to 100 years of multilateralism and reaffirms the commitment of the Swiss government and the Canton and City of Geneva to International Geneva's role as a centre of global governance. The signing ceremony was followed by the presentation of a volume of key Swiss diplomatic documents going back to the establishment of the League of Nations a century ago.

Centenaire du multilatéralisme (fr)

16.09.2019 — EDA
Geneva, 16.09.2019 – Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis - Check against delivery

Swiss Humanitarian Aid: Swiss experts deployed to the Bahamas

13.09.2019 — EDA
Switzerland is extending its humanitarian aid to the Bahamas. Around 70,000 people in the Caribbean island nation are now dependent on aid in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, which caused extensive damage and many deaths at the start of September. Five experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) were deployed to the affected area on 13 September. Relief supplies in the form of a drinking water system arrived in the Bahamas the day before.

Combating hunger: Switzerland makes renewed contribution to CGIAR

13.09.2019 — EDA
Climate change, land degradation and water scarcity increasingly affect agricultural production and food supply. Around 820 million people around the world suffer from hunger and malnutrition. The Federal Council decided at its meeting on 13 September 2019 to contribute CHF 33.1 million for the period 2020–21 to the CGIAR, previously known as the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. Through this contribution, as well as through its strong scientific expertise and the work of its universities, Switzerland is playing its part in efforts to find innovative solutions for high-quality food and sustainable natural resource management.

Human rights, UN reforms and science diplomacy: Switzerland's priorities for the 74th UN General Assembly

13.09.2019 — EDA
Switzerland adopted its priorities for the 74th UN General Assembly. The Federal Council was informed, at its meeting on 13 September 2019, of the result of the consultations with the Foreign Affairs Committees. The priorities concern the protection of human rights, support for the UN reform processes, and the promotion of science diplomacy. Switzerland will be represented at the high-level opening of the UN General Assembly at the end of September by President of the Confederation Ueli Maurer and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis.

Federal Council welcomes Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on state visit

13.09.2019 — EDA
On the afternoon of Friday, 13 September, the Federal Council, led by President Ueli Maurer, welcomed Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and his wife, Savita Kovind, to Bern with military honours to mark the state visit to Switzerland. During the official talks that followed, discussions focused on bilateral relations, in particular the opportunities presented by a free trade agreement, and cooperation on environmental matters. Further topics addressed included global issues and India’s regional situation.

Brücken bauen für den Frieden (de/fr/it)

12.09.2019 — EDA
Bern, 12.09.2019 - Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the Federal Day of Thanksgiving, Repentance and Prayer - Check against delivery

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets Graubünden cantonal government as part of dialogue with Italian-speaking Switzerland

09.09.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received the Graubünden cantonal government for talks in Bern on 9 September 2019. The meeting, which focused on the institutional agreement with the European Union (EU) and the promotion of Switzerland's minority languages, was part of ongoing efforts by Mr Cassis to engage in structured political dialogue with the cantonal governments of Graubünden and Ticino.

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind to pay state visit to Switzerland

06.09.2019 — EDA
Bilateral relations between Switzerland and India are close and have long been characterised by high mutual esteem. The state visit by President Ram Nath Kovind to Switzerland this year continues the series of regular contacts between the two countries. The Federal Council, led by President Ueli Maurer, will receive the head of state of the Republic of India in Bern with military honours on the afternoon of Friday, 13 September.

OSCE PA Silk Road Support Group

05.09.2019 — EDA
Andermatt, 05.09.2019 – Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at the third OSCE International Parliamentary Conference - Check against delivery

Presentation of credentials

05.09.2019 — EDA
Berne, 05.09.2019 - Presentation of credentials ceremony of the new Ambassadors in Switzerland

70th anniversary of Swiss-Israeli diplomatic relations: cooperation on 'science and diplomacy' and the promotion of peace in the Middle East

02.09.2019 — EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis, held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz on Monday, 2 September 2019 in Lucerne during events to mark 70 years of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Israel. The two ministers discussed various bilateral issues and the situation in the Middle East. On Tuesday, Mr Katz will also pay a courtesy visit to Ueli Maurer, President of the Swiss Confederation.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Press release

All news (2903)

Media (2606)

Other news (297)

Links