Press release

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President Sommaruga to travel to Ukraine next week

13.07.2020 — Press release EDA
President Simonetta Sommaruga will pay a visit to Ukraine next week. Ukraine is important in terms of Switzerland’s security and peace policy, and also has considerable economic potential. Ms Sommaruga will be received by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv for a state visit on Tuesday, 21 July. The two presidents will discuss bilateral cooperation and the international situation.

Procedure for selecting new OSCE Secretary General and heads of OSCE institutions gets under way

13.07.2020 — Press release EDA
At a meeting on Friday 10 July, representatives of participating states of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) decided not to reappoint four officials currently holding senior positions within the OSCE, including Swiss Secretary General Thomas Greminger. Switzerland regrets this decision and calls for a speedy resolution of the issue.

Cyber dialogue: Switzerland and the US join forces for an open and secure digital space

09.07.2020 — Press release EDA
On Thursday, 9 July 2020, Switzerland and the USA met for the first bilateral cyber dialogue. Together, the two countries are committed to an open and secure digital space. In addition to the FDFA, the FDF with the Federal Delegate for Cyber Security, the DDPS, OFCOM and fedpol are involved in the digital exchange. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the SwissCovid tracing app attracted particular interest.

Strengthening international humanitarian law: use of biological, laser or fragmentation weapons is considered a war crime

07.07.2020 — Press release EDA
The International Criminal Court (ICC) will now be able to punish the use of biological weapons, blinding laser weapons and certain fragmentation weapons as war crimes: Switzerland has ratified the corresponding amendments to the Rome Statute and today handed over its instrument of ratification to the UN in New York. The amendments, which will enter into force in Switzerland next year, provide greater protection for people in war zones. Promoting international humanitarian law is an essential component of Swiss foreign policy.

Telephone calls between President Sommaruga and leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Territory

02.07.2020 — Press release EDA
President Simonetta Sommaruga has held further talks in recent days as part of her intensive ongoing round of telephone diplomacy. The main topic addressed during the phone calls with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas was current developments in the Middle East conflict.

UN World Data Forum in Bern cannot take place in October 2020

01.07.2020 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council was informed at its sitting of 1 July 2020 that the organisation committee and the United Nations have decided that the United Nations World Data Forum (UNWDF) cannot take place in October 2020 and should be held at a later date. The UNWDF is an event of global importance in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This, the third meeting of the UNWDF, will be organised in Bern by the Swiss Confederation in cooperation with the United Nations.

FDFA supports ETH Zurich project to produce affordable ventilators for developing countries

30.06.2020 — Press release EDA
Many countries are facing a severe shortage of ventilators. Access to this life-saving technology is critical for people with breathing difficulties, such as patients suffering from COVID-19. The FDFA is therefore making a humanitarian contribution to the production of simple and affordable ventilators. Through start-up financing, it is supporting an ETH Zurich project to produce cost-effective ventilators in Ukraine which will also be accessible to emerging and developing countries. On 30 June 2020 Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and Ukraine's ambassador to Switzerland, Artem Rybchenko, signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the terms of the start-up funding.

Switzerland supports population affected by the Syrian conflict

30.06.2020 — Press release EDA
Over the past decade, the war in Syria has resulted in one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Continued fighting and violations of international humanitarian law are impeding the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid. At the fourth Brussels conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region co-chaired by the EU and UN on 30 June, Switzerland announced that in 2020 it would allocate CHF 61 million for measures to assist the Syrian people. The international community pledged a total of USD 7.7 billion. In addition, as host state of the UN peace process in Geneva, Switzerland continues to actively support efforts for a political solution to the conflict.

Mediated by Switzerland: Myanmar's parties sign code of conduct for peaceful elections

26.06.2020 — Press release EDA
On Friday, 26 June 2020, Myanmar's political parties signed a code of conduct for peaceful elections and a fair election campaign in view of the parliamentary elections scheduled for November. Switzerland acted as a mediator between the parties (as a so-called facilitator) and thus formed the basis for the code to be drawn up. Among the signatories of the code are the majority of the 97 political parties, including the ruling party "National League for Democracy", and various ethnic parties.

75 years of the United Nations: Switzerland gifts Geneva an artwork by Saype and presents its slogan for Security Council candidacy: ‘A PLUS FOR PEACE’

26.06.2020 — Press release EDA
‘A PLUS FOR PEACE’ is Switzerland’s slogan for its candidacy for a seat on the Security Council in 2023-24. This was announced today by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, on the 75th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter. To mark the anniversary, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, accompanied by the Director-General of UN Geneva, Tatiana Valovaya, presented a biodegradeable fresco by the artist Saype in the park of the Palais des Nations.

Resumption of mobility and bilateral and cross-border cooperation at heart of Federal Councillor Cassis’ Geneva visit

26.06.2020 — Press release EDA
Today in Geneva, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Minister of State, attached to the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. During this final stage of Mr Cassis' 'border tour', after visits to Ticino and Kreuzlingen, the main talking points were the effectiveness of cross-border cooperation during the coronavirus crisis and the resumption of mobility across the Franco-Swiss border. European policy issues were also discussed.

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

Media (2649)

Switzerland signs a cooperation agreement with Kosovo

06.10.2010 — Press release EDA
On 6 October 2010, Switzerland and Kosovo signed an agreement in Pristina on technical and financial cooperation, and humanitarian aid. The agreement creates a new legal framework for cooperation between the two states in the context of the political and economic reforms currently being implemented in Kosovo. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat of Economic Affairs (SECO) are supporting the transformation process with an annual amount of approximately 15 million Swiss francs.

Visit by Helen Clark, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to Berne

30.09.2010 — Press release EDA
On 29 September 2010, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey met the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, Helen Clark, in Berne. Martin Dahinden, Director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), took part in the talks. The UNDP is Switzerland's most important partner institution within the UN system in the field of development.

PlanetSolar heads to sea under the Swiss flag

27.09.2010 — Press release EDA
The biggest solar-powered boat in the world, the MS TÛRANOR PlanetSolar, left the port of Monaco on Monday 27 September 2010 at 2.00 p.m. to begin the first-ever voyage around the world by a solar-powered vessel. The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), which has been supporting the project for nearly two years, is associated with the expedition as an official partner.

Switzerland condemns the attack in Mahabad

23.09.2010 — Press release EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) condemns the bomb attack carried out during a military parade in the Iranian city of Mahabad in the strongest of terms.

Increase in Swiss official development assistance

17.09.2010 — Press release EDA
At today’s meeting, the Federal Council approved a dispatch to parliament in which it sets out how it will increase official development assistance (ODA) to 0.5% of the Gross National Product (GNP) by the year 2015. The additional funds are, in particular, to be injected into projects and programmes in the domain of water and the climate, thus enabling Switzerland to fulfil its multilateral commitments.

The EU and Switzerland: Questions and answers on the International Law Day

17.09.2010 — Press release EDA
The Lisbon Treaty entered into force on 1 December 2009. Which changes does this treaty entail for the EU? And what are its effects on Switzerland? These questions were at the heart of this year's International Law Day held by the Directorate of International Law of the FDFA. At the event, experts in European law and representatives from the Swiss federal administration and political sphere provided answers to these questions. In her closing speech, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey talked about Switzerland's EU policy against the backdrop of the Lisbon Treaty.

From seed to table: approaches for a sustainable global food system

15.09.2010 — Press release EDA
The state of the Millennium Development Goals will be under review at the Millennium+10 Summit in New York in September. Fact: more than a billion people are suffering from hunger today. The world is still far from respecting everyone’s right to food. There are however approaches for a sustainable global food system that hold out the promise of development even for poor countries. This problem and ways to improve food supplies were discussed by Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, State Secretary Jean-Daniel Gerber and SDC Director Martin Dahinden as well as other speakers from Switzerland and abroad at the annual joint conference of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

Switzerland at the forefront of efforts to tackle the global water challenge

15.09.2010 — Press release EDA
By 2025, one in two people will suffer from a lack of fresh water. Population growth, uncontrolled urbanisation, migration, and climate change will place greater demands on the planet’s water resources, making water security one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century. Switzerland, whose stewardship of its own water resources has been exemplary, continues to pursue its decades-long international commitment to the water sector. Nevertheless, given the growing complexity of water-related problems, Switzerland needs to step up its own efforts and those of the multilateral organisations to which it belongs. On 15 September, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) hosted a public forum in Berne, during which it reviewed activities to date and launched a discussion on new ways to tackle the global water challenge.

Official visit by the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Jean-Claude Juncker

15.09.2010 — Press release EDA
President Doris Leuthard, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (FDEA), and Federal Councillor Hans-Rudolf Merz, head of the Federal Department of Finance (FDF), today received Jean-Claude Juncker, the Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, at the Lohn country residence in Kehrsatz. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Finance Minister Luc Frieden and Minister of Economic Affairs and Foreign Trade, Jeannot Krecké. Discussions focussed on bilateral relations, economic, financial and fiscal issues as well as on the European policy of both countries.

Federal Council Delegation to the 65th session of the UN General Assembly in New York

15.09.2010 — Press release EDA
The high-level meeting of the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly in the third week of September will be attended by the President of the Confederation Doris Leuthard and Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey. Mrs Leuthard will speak on 23 September in the general debate. Mrs Calmy-Rey will attend the newly established Panel on Global Sustainability whose first meeting will be on 19 September. She will also attend a meeting on 20 September to take stock of the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals so far. The 65th session of the General Assembly will be chaired by former Federal Councillor Joseph Deiss.

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs welcomes the release of U.S. Citizen Sarah Shourd

14.09.2010 — Press release EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) welcomes U.S. citizen Sarah Shourd’s release from Iranian detention on September 14, 2010. In the framework of the protecting power mandate for the U.S., for more than a year the FDFA has been engaged in Iran in working toward a solution in the case of three imprisoned U.S. citizens, including Sarah Shourd. The FDFA will continue its efforts on behalf of the two Americans remaining in detention.

60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and China

13.09.2010 — Press release EDA
Tuesday 14 September will mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and the People's Republic of China. Since 1950, and especially since the policy of opening and reform in China, bilateral relations have steadily intensified and diversified. In the course of 2010, various events will be held in Switzerland and in China to celebrate this anniversary.

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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