Press release

Switzerland at virtual IMF and World Bank 2020 Annual Meetings and G20 Finance Ministers Meeting

14.10.2020 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer, State Secretary Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch and Thomas Jordan, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, will attend the virtual Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) on 14 and 15 October 2020. The Annual Meetings, as well as the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting, will focus on both the global management of the effects of the COVID-19 crisis and international corporate taxation.

Federal Council appoints Livia Leu as new State Secretary and approves adjustments to the structure of the FDFA

14.10.2020 — Press release EDA
Livia Leu, who is currently Switzerland's ambassador in Paris, will assume the leadership of the Directorate for European Affairs (DEA) with immediate effect and will take up the post of chief negotiator for negotiations with the EU. She will receive the title of State Secretary. The Federal Council took this decision at its meeting on 14 October 2020. It also agreed to adjustments to the structure of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). From 1 January, the European Affairs and Political Affairs directorates will be merged under a single State Secretariat headed by Livia Leu as the FDFA State Secretary.

Middle East and North Africa: a new strategy in Swiss foreign policy

14.10.2020 — Press release EDA
For the first time the Federal Council today adopted a strategy for the entire Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This provides a framework for all Swiss foreign policy activities in the MENA region during the 2021–2024 period. The strategy builds on Switzerland's long-standing commitment to conflict prevention, humanitarian aid and development cooperation. It also identifies opportunities for Swiss businesses, seeks to harness the potential of a well-trained young workforce and promotes digitalisation and new technologies.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to make official visits to Oslo and Copenhagen

13.10.2020 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will visit Norway on 15 October and Denmark on 15 and 16 October. In Oslo, Mr Cassis will meet with Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide. In Copenhagen, he will meet with the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation, Rasmus Prehn, and Minister for Finance Nicolai Wammen for bilateral talks.

Übergabe des Beglaubigungsschreibens (de)

13.10.2020 — Press release EDA
Übergabe der Beglaubigungsschreiben der neu in der Schweiz akkreditierten Botschafterinnen und Botschafter

Switzerland provides CHF 1 million to help flood-stricken Sudan

09.10.2020 — Press release EDA
The state secretary of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Krystyna Marty, received the foreign minister of Sudan, Omer Gamareldin Ismail, in Bern on Friday. Various topics were discussed at the meeting, which was also attended by the director general of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Patricia Danzi, and other federal administration officials. Swiss Humanitarian Aid announced at the meeting that it was allocating CHF 1 million to assist Sudan, which has recently been hit by devastating floods.

Swiss hostage in Mali killed by terrorists

09.10.2020 — Press release EDA
Friday afternoon the French authorities informed the Swiss authorities that the Swiss hostage in Mali is dead. She was apparently killed by kidnappers of the Islamist terrorist organization Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslim (JNIM) about a month ago.

Bern: Ignazio Cassis meets director general of International Atomic Energy Agency

08.10.2020 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in Bern today. Their discussions focused on Switzerland's cooperation with the IAEA and current issues pertaining to nuclear non-proliferation. During his visit, Mr Grossi also met with representatives of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy, the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI), the Spiez Laboratory and the Beznau nuclear power plant.

Human Rights Council adopts two Swiss-led resolutions

07.10.2020 — Press release EDA
The UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva closed its 45th regular session on 7 October 2020 after almost four weeks of work. It adopted two resolutions presented by Switzerland and partner States. The first seeks to strengthen the HRC's role in the prevention of human rights violations. The second resolution extends the mandate of the Special Rapporteur in the field of transitional justice.

Ignazio Cassis receives Czech Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček in Bern: bilateral and European relations on the agenda

05.10.2020 — Press release EDA
On 6 October Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Tomáš Petříček at the Lohn Manor. The meeting focused on the strength of Swiss-Czech bilateral relations and included discussions on possible areas for further collaboration. Mr Cassis and Mr Petříček also addressed a number of European and international issues. Switzerland and the Czech Republic maintain excellent economic relations and enjoy close cultural and social ties.

Ignazio Cassis on official visit to San Marino, where tradition meets innovation

01.10.2020 — Press release EDA
On 1 October Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis participated as official speaker at the investiture of the captains regent of San Marino, a traditional ceremony that has been handed down unaltered since 1243. In his speech, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) restated the importance of multilateralism and international Geneva as a platform for discussion on digitalisation. The two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding committing them to work together more closely in the multilateral arena.

Switzerland completes emergency aid operation on Lesbos

30.09.2020 — Press release EDA
Switzerland responded immediately with emergency aid following a fire which devastated the refugee transit camp on the Greek island of Lesbos. Over several weeks, Swiss Humanitarian Aid focused on access to safe drinking water, medical support in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and disaster risk reduction. It also dispatched five tonnes of relief supplies to the facility. Switzerland is ending its emergency aid activities on Wednesday 30 September, having restored access to clean drinking water for 10,000 people. It will continue its support in the form of medium and long-term assistance.

Against the death penalty for minors in Iran

06.07.2010 — Press release EDA
Switzerland is opposed to the execution of minors in Iran. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has asked the Iranian authorities to repeal a death sentence due to be carried out tomorrow, Wednesday.

Switzerland and Japan sign a Memorandum for intensified cooperation and a bilateral political dialogue

05.07.2010 — Press release EDA
Today, July 5 2010, the State Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Peter Maurer, and the Ambassador of Japan to Switzerland, Ichiro Komatsu, have signed a Memorandum on establishing a framework for intensified cooperation between the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Meeting of global microfinance experts in Bern

02.07.2010 — Press release EDA
Bern was the centre of the microfinance world from 28 June to 2 July 2010. The annual conference of the Social Performance Task Force (SPTF) at the Kursaal was attended by 200 specialists who exchanged views on achieving a sustainable financial market. SDC director Martin Dahinden and four leading microfinance experts held a media conference at which they summarised the outcome of the conference.

Switzerland’s priorities at the 65th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations

30.06.2010 — Press release EDA
Today, the Federal Council approved Switzerland’s priorities at the 65th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, which will be presided over by Joseph Deiss. These objectives will soon be the subject of consultation with the foreign policy committees of the Swiss Parliament.

Interim report on success in achieving Millennium Development Goals

30.06.2010 — Press release EDA
At its meeting on 30 June the Federal Council approved the Confederation’s interim report for 2010 on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The re-port is fundamentally positive on Switzerland’s contribution to achieving the Goals and notably shows, with numerous examples, what has been accom-plished in such areas as water, health and education.

Significant deepening of bilateral relationships between Switzerland and China

29.06.2010 — Press release EDA
At the end of her official working visit to China, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and Yang Jiechi, the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, opened the first political dialogue meeting of high-ranking officials. For Switzerland and China, this is an important milestone on the road to intensifying their bilateral relationships. Earlier, the Head of the FDFA met with China's first Vice-Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing and also visited the wandering exhibition "Einstein 2010 – 2012". Her visit to China kicked off with an appearance at the EXPO 2010 in Shanghai, where Switzerland is represented with a pavilion that has attracted much attention.

Human rights dialogue between Switzerland and Tajikistan

22.06.2010 — Press release EDA
The first round of the Human Rights Dialogue between Switzerland and Tajikistan took place on 22 June 2010 in Dushanbe. The dialogue was officially launched by Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey during her working visit to Central Asia in October 2009. The talks focused on a discussion of a number of human rights themes and the possibility of deepening the dialogue through specific projects.

Federal Councillor Calmy-Rey to make an official working visit to China

18.06.2010 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will make an official working visit to China from 27-29 June 2010.

Swiss hostage in Chad freed

16.06.2010 — Press release EDA
The FDFA is relieved to hear about the release of a Swiss member of the British NGO, Oxfam, who was kidnapped on 6 June 2010 in Chad.

Swiss citizen in the Philippines freed

16.06.2010 — Press release EDA
The FDFA is relieved to hear the news of the release by Philippine security forces of a Swiss-Philippine dual citizen who had been held captive since 4 April 2010.

Official visit by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Nika Gilauri

15.06.2010 — Press release EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation and head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (FDEA), Doris Leuthard, and the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Micheline Calmy-Rey, today received the Prime Minister of Georgia, Nika Gilauri, in Bern. The meetings covered bilateral relations and international issues such as the situation in the Southern Caucasus. At the end of the meeting with President Leuthard, a double taxation agreement was signed between the two countries.

Official visit by Mirko Cvetkovic, Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia

14.06.2010 — Press release EDA
Doris Leuthard, President of the Swiss Confederation, today received the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Mirko Cvetkovic at the Lohn Residence at Kehrsatz. The meetings focussed on bilateral relations, cooperation within the international financial institutions and the situation in the western Balkans.

OSCE Ministerial Council: Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter underlines the importance of arms control for boosting confidence and security

08.12.2016 — EDA
At the meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Hamburg, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter stressed that the revival of conventional arms control in Europe is pivotal to improving security for everyone. As a bridge-builder, Switzerland intends to play an active role in shaping a dialogue to this end.

Signing of the agreement between Switzerland, France and CERN on mutual support of their emergency services

08.12.2016 — EDA
On 8 December 2016 Ambassador Roberto Balzaretti, head of the Directorate of International Law of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), signed a trilateral agreement with France and CERN on behalf of the Federal Council. The agreement enables emergency services to respond more quickly and efficiently to emergencies on the CERN site.

Appointments, retirements and conferring

02.12.2016 — EDA
A number of personnel changes will be made in 2017 in the Swiss representations abroad and at the head office of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). The changes will take place as part of the usual transfer rotation and on the basis of appointments made by the Federal Council. The appointment of heads of mission abroad becomes effective following approval by the respective host state. The Federal Council thanks those ambassadors entering retirement for their services.

Switzerland is endeavouring to tackle the causes of displacement

29.11.2016 — Article DEZA

Didier Burkhalter will be speaking at a panel discussion entitled ‘Displacement – the global challenge of the 21^st century’, which is being held at the University of Zurich in connection with the ‘DISPLACED’ exhibition at the National Museum Zurich. In this interview he talks about Swiss foreign policy in the area of migration.

International Conference for Tunisia – Switzerland represented by Samuel Schmid

28.11.2016 — EDA
Switzerland is to take part in the international conference on economic support and investment promotion in Tunisia on 29 and 30 November 2016. It will be represented by former Federal Councillor Samuel Schmid.

Creating more security and confidence through arms control – Switzerland supports joint declaration of several states

25.11.2016 — EDA
Switzerland strengthens its involvement in efforts to revive conventional arms control in Europe. Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter is one of 14 foreign ministers to appeal in a joint declaration to all states to take steps to strengthen security and build confidence in Europe.

President to attend Francophonie Summit in Antananarivo before travelling to Kuwait

22.11.2016 — EDA
The Francophonie Summit is the highest-level gathering of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) taking place on 26 and 27 November in the Madagascan capital, Antananarivo. The theme of the summit is ‘Shared growth and responsible development: conditions for stability in the world and in the French-speaking area’. President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann will be representing Switzerland at the summit, which takes place every two years. The president will then travel to Kuwait, where he has been invited to pay a state visit.

Polish President Andrzej Duda pays official visit to Switzerland

14.11.2016 — EDA
On Monday, 14 November, President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann received Polish President Andrzej Duda in Bern for an official visit. The official talks, attended by two further members of the Federal Council, focused on bilateral relations and also covered European and economic policy issues. In connection with the theme of dual-track vocational education and training, the two presidents later visited a local business.

Bilateral matters, the situation in Europe and security: Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter to travel to Slovenia for bilateral talks

11.11.2016 — EDA
On 15 November 2016, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will travel to Ljubljana to meet representatives of the Slovenian parliament and government. The talks will focus on bilateral matters, the situation in Europe, Swiss policy on the EU and regional security issues.

“An idea for the future, perhaps...” – youthful interest and insight on display during Future Day at the FDFA

10.11.2016 — EDA
Over 60 children and young people visited the FDFA today – Switzerland’s National Future Day – to learn about the department’s work and see the place where their parents, godparents or people they know work. The morning culminated in a meeting with Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, who showed them the Federal Council chamber and answered numerous questions (the sea of happy faces prompting him to describe the ‘Bundeshaus’ (Federal Palace) as a ‘buntes Haus’ (‘colourful palace’)). In the afternoon, the youngsters were able to explore the FDFA’s work in greater depth at a number of workshops.

Perspectives on displacement at the National Museum Zurich

28.10.2016 — Article DEZA

DISPLACED opens on 29 October 2016 at the National Museum Zurich. The exhibition gives visitors a glimpse of what it means to have to give up one's home, family, work and country. The SDC is taking part in the exhibition.

UN Women joins International Geneva

06.10.2016 — Article DEZA

The UN Women's liaison office, which was opened in Geneva on 6 October, aims to make gender equality and women's empowerment more visible globally. Switzerland has supported the organisation since its creation in 2010. Interview with Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women.