Press release

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Switzerland asks for an international inquiry following the Israeli armed assault

01.06.2010 — Press release EDA
The FDFA expresses its very serious concern following an incident of the coast of the Gaza Strip resulting from an assault by Israeli forces on an international convoy of ships bringing humanitarian supplies to the people of Gaza. Switzerland asks for an international inquiry to be conducted into the circumstances of this tragic event.

Action plan adopted to strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation treaty

29.05.2010 — Press release EDA
The final document, agreed by consensus, of the 8th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) will strengthen the credibility of the disarmament and non-proliferation regime. From Switzerland’s point of view, progress is to be seen in particular in the adoption of an action plan, recognition of the humanitarian dimension and the applicability of international humanitarian law, as well as in the agreement to take concrete steps to create a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.

Election of Switzerland to a second mandate in the Human Rights Council for the period 2010-2013

28.05.2010 — Press release EDA
Switzerland was today elected to a second three-year term in the Human Rights Council by the General Assembly of the United Nations. Switzerland is pleased about this election, which it regards as recognition of its commitment to human rights in general and of its active role as a member of the Council in the period 2006-2009. With a review of the Council's activities coming up 2011, Switzerland will continue to work to ensure that the Council is effective, equitable and capable of responding quickly to human rights violations, wherever they occur.

Run-up to the XIIIth Francophonie Summit – Montreux 2010

27.05.2010 — Press release EDA
This morning, the organisers of the XIIIth Summit of the Francophonie have held a joint press conference during which the federal, cantonal and municipal authorities concerned presented the preparations, challenges and the programme to accompany the Summit, which will take place on the 22-24 October 2010 in Montreux, Switzerland.

Last Phase in the Expansion of the WTO Headquarters in Geneva

26.05.2010 — Press release EDA
The Headquarters of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva are being enlarged. The third and last phase of this expansion necessitates a loan of CHF 40 million as well as a non-repayable CHF 10 million contribution. Today, the Federal Council approved the relevant draft bill for submission to Parliament. The bill establishes the financial framework for the extra-muros expansion of the Centre William Rappard (CWR) outside its current footprint.

The FDFA calls for an end to the use of violence in Thailand

20.05.2010 — Press release EDA
Switzerland expresses its sympathy and support to Thailand in the present difficult situation. The FDFA calls on all sides to resume dialogue.

More protection for international organisations based in Switzerland

19.05.2010 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council wishes to strengthen the exterior protection of sites of international organisations based in Switzerland. The sum necessary for the financing of this measure amounts to 10 million francs.

Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey in the Republic of Moldova

19.05.2010 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey flew to Chisinau in the Republic of Moldova on Wednesday, where she will take part in a meeting of Swiss ambassadors from countries in South-East and East Europe. On Wednesday evening she held talks with Iurie Leanca, deputy prime minister and foreign minister of the Republic of Moldova. During the meeting a repatriation agreement and an agreement on visa facilitation were signed.

Official visit of the Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh TRIET

18.05.2010 — Press release EDA
President Doris Leuthard, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (FDEA), and Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), today received the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Nguyen Minh TRIET, at the Lohn Country Residence in Kehrsatz. In the course of this first official visit by a Vietnamese President, discussions covered bilateral relations in general, economic relations, development cooperation and international political issues.

Conclusion of Switzerland’s chairmanship of the Council of Europe

11.05.2010 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey today handed over the six-month chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to her Macedonian peer Antonio Milošoski in Strasbourg. The Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs took this opportunity to highlight the main achievements of the Swiss chairmanship, which began on 18 November 2009.

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.

Media (2607)

Federal Councillor Calmy-Rey attends international conference on the restitution of illegal assets in Paris

04.06.2010 — Press release EDA
The Global Forum on the Recovery of Assets and Development jointly organised by Switzerland, the World Bank and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) will take place in Paris on 8 and 9 June. Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will represent Switzerland at this event.

Consultations on human rights between Switzerland and Russia

02.06.2010 — Press release EDA
A Swiss delegation visited Moscow from 31 May to 2 June for the eighth round of human rights consultations which Switzerland has been holding with Russia since 2003. The talks covered the national and international human rights policies of both countries as well as the operational aspect of the consultations.

First meetings in the framework of the regular political dialogue with the Federative Republic of Brazil

02.06.2010 — Press release EDA
Today, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, has received Antônio de Aguiar Patriota, Secretary-General of Foreign Relations of the Federative Republic of Brazil, for a courtesy visit. Mr Patriota is in Switzerland for talks in the context of the regular political dialogue between Switzerland and Brazil.

Switzerland asks for an international inquiry following the Israeli armed assault

Action plan adopted to strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation treaty

Election of Switzerland to a second mandate in the Human Rights Council for the period 2010-2013

Run-up to the XIIIth Francophonie Summit – Montreux 2010

Last Phase in the Expansion of the WTO Headquarters in Geneva

The FDFA calls for an end to the use of violence in Thailand

20.05.2010 — Press release EDA
Switzerland expresses its sympathy and support to Thailand in the present difficult situation. The FDFA calls on all sides to resume dialogue.

More protection for international organisations based in Switzerland

Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey in the Republic of Moldova

Official visit of the Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh TRIET

Other news (297)

Switzerland elected to the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

20.11.2019 — EDA
UNESCO strives to promote peace and sustainable development through international cooperation in education, science, culture and media development. UNESCO's General Conference has now elected Switzerland to the organisation's Executive Board for 2019–23. The new Executive Board's mandate will include drafting UNESCO's next medium-term strategy for 2022–29.

US statements on Israeli settlements: Switzerland’s statement

19.11.2019 — EDA
Following yesterday's American statements on Israeli settlements, Switzerland confirms its position.

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 und eine Medienmitteilung schreiben.

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.

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