FDFA news

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.

High-level contact between Switzerland and Sri Lanka: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis calls Sri Lankan foreign minister and sends diplomats to maintain dialogue

19.12.2019 — Press release EDA
Switzerland is continuing high-level talks with Sri Lanka to resolve the current crisis. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis phoned his Sri Lankan counterpart, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, on 18 December 2019 to inform him that Switzerland was sending former ambassador Jörg Frieden to Sri Lanka. Under the lead of this experienced diplomat, possibilities for clarifying the security incident at the Swiss embassy in Colombo are to be explored. Mr Cassis also emphasised that the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) considers the health and safety of its staff to be paramount, and that it is the responsibility of the Sri Lankan authorities to ensure that these are protected in the further proceedings.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn

18.12.2019 — Press release EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, met today with EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn in Zurich for a brief discussion that focused on Swiss-EU relations. Both ministers are keen to expand on this exchange of views as soon as possible.

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.

State Secretary Roberto Balzaretti represents Switzerland at the ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Madrid

16.12.2019 — Press release EDA
Roberto Balzaretti, State Secretary and head of the Directorate for European Affairs (DEA) at the FDFA, represented Switzerland at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Madrid on 15 and 16 December 2019. As well as attending the plenary session, Switzerland sought to engage in bilateral exchanges with delegates from several European and Asian countries.

FDFA criticises lack of due process in the case against a local employee of the Swiss Embassy in Sri Lanka

16.12.2019 — Press release EDA
An employee of the Swiss Embassy in Colombo has today been detained on the grounds that she allegedly made false statements. The FDFA is concerned about this development and calls on the Sri Lankan judicial authorities to ensure better protection of its employee's personal rights in any further proceedings and compliance with national law and international standards. The FDFA and the Swiss Embassy in Colombo will continue to meet their responsibilities as an employer and do everything in their power to assist the member of staff concerned.

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.

Federal Council appoints Patricia Danzi as new SDC director general

13.12.2019 — Press release EDA
At its meeting on 13 December 2019, the Federal Council appointed Patricia Danzi as the new director general of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Ms Danzi (50) will take up her post on 1 May 2020, succeeding Manuel Sager, who will retire in spring 2020. The future SDC director general is currently regional director for Africa at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva.

Humanitarian aid responds to digital and climate challenges – 33rd Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent comes to a close

12.12.2019 — EDA
The 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent ended today in Geneva. The conference adopted six resolutions that will enable the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to improve its actions and adapt them to the needs of vulnerable groups, in a world where the demand for humanitarian aid has never been so high. The topic of digitalisation was on the agenda for discussion, for example in restoring family links broken by crisis situations. The conference was opened by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on Monday 9 December.

Ignazio Cassis calls for international humanitarian law to be strengthened at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

09.12.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis called for international humanitarian law to be strengthened in his opening speech at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent taking place in Geneva from 9 to 12 December. Mr Cassis praised the vital work of the 17 million volunteers who make up the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

FDFA State Secretary on official visit to South Korea for political talks and inauguration of new Swiss embassy building

17.05.2019 — Press release EDA
FDFA State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl met her South Korean counterpart Mr Cho Hyun, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, for political talks today in Seoul. Discussions focused on bilateral cooperation and the strengthening of the multilateral system. Ms Baeriswyl also took part in the inauguration of the new Swiss embassy building in Seoul and along with her South Korean counterpart signed the protocol revising the double taxation agreement between the two countries.

#SwissTech: Switzerland showcases smart technologies in Paris

16.05.2019 — Press release EDA
From 16 to 18 May 2019, Switzerland will take part in Viva Technology (VivaTech) in Paris, one of Europe's foremost technology fairs. The Swiss pavilion, part of Presence Switzerland's current #SwissTech campaign, will feature an interactive show of innovative technologies that help people lead more networked, informed and sustainable lives.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis discusses multilateral cooperation and security in Europe with Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajčák

16.05.2019 — Press release EDA
Mr Cassis, who is the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), has met Mr Lajčák in Bratislava during a working visit to Slovakia. Both foreign ministers highlighted the positive development of their countries bilateral ties and discussed the institutional agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU). Talks concerning multilateral cooperation focused on security in Europe and the work of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Mr Lajčák is the current Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE. Slovakia also currently holds the presidency of the Visegrad Group (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland) and will soon assume the chairmanship of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Federal Council approves revised foreign policy on health

15.05.2019 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council intends to take action in six key areas of international health policy, including sustainable healthcare, global health governance and protection against global health risks. At its meeting on 15 May, the Federal Council adopted the revised Health Foreign Policy for 2019–2024, which addresses current global challenges and is aligned with the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

Swiss representation in Belarus to be upgraded to full embassy

15.05.2019 — Press release EDA
At its meeting on 15 May 2019, the Federal Council decided to upgrade the Swiss representation in Minsk to a full embassy. The decision was based on the steadily growing relations between Switzerland and Belarus. The embassy in Minsk is planned to be opened officially this year by the head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travels to Slovakia for working visit and Finland for Council of Europe ministers' meeting

14.05.2019 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will be in Bratislava on 16 May 2019 for bilateral talks with the Slovak Minister of Foreign Affairs Miroslav Lajčák. He will then attend the Council of Europe ministerial session in Helsinki on 17 May.

Joining forces against natural disasters: international conference on disaster risk reduction opens in Geneva tomorrow

14.05.2019 — Press release EDA
The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) will be opened by SDC Director General Manuel Sager on 15 May. The international conference, which runs until 17 May, will see over 4,000 experts from some 150 countries discuss global policies on natural disaster prevention. The results are expected to guide UN policy in this area.

Ignazio Cassis marks centenary of International Labour Organization with António Guterres and meets UN executive heads

08.05.2019 — Press release EDA
On 8 May 2019, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travelled to Geneva to commemorate with António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, the 100th anniversary of the International Labour Organization (ILO). The creation of the ILO and – in the same year – the League of Nations, marked the beginning of multilateralism in Geneva. The head of the FDFA took the opportunity to meet the 31 heads of the UN specialised agencies, which are holding a meeting from 8 to 10 May 2019 in Geneva.

Escalation of hostilities in north-western Syria – FDFA statement

08.05.2019 — Press release EDA
The FDFA is deeply concerned by the escalation of hostilities in the Syrian province of Idlib and calls on the parties to the conflict to return to the negotiating table. Furthermore, it calls on the states guaranteeing the 'de-escalation zone' and the signatory states of the Sochi Agreement to do everything in their power to comply with international law, especially humanitarian law, and to work towards an end to hostilities.

Meeting in Bern between Ignazio Cassis and Bhutanese foreign minister Tandi Dorji

07.05.2019 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, has met the Bhutanese foreign minister, Tandi Dorji, for official talks in Bern. Switzerland and the Himalayan state can look back on many years of friendly relations, which for a long time were based primarily on development cooperation. The two countries' economic and political relations meanwhile are steadily expanding.

Escalation of violence between the Gaza Strip and Israel – statement by the FDFA

06.05.2019 — Press release EDA
While welcoming the ceasefire reached by the parties, Switzerland expresses its deep concern at the escalating violence between Israel and the Gaza Strip. It condemns in the strongest terms the hundreds of indiscriminate rocket attacks launched on inhabited areas of Israel from the Gaza Strip.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis is received by Pope Francis and will attend the swearing in of the Swiss Guard at the Vatican

04.05.2019 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis was received by Pope Francis in a private audience. He also met other representatives of the Holy See, with which Switzerland has maintained close ties for centuries, and he will attend the swearing-in of the Pontifical Swiss Guard at the Vatican on Monday.

Message on Switzerland’s International Cooperation in 2013–2016

11.09.2012 — Article DEZA

After the National Council, the Council of States adopted the Message on Switzerland’s International Cooperation in 2013–2016 on Tuesday, 11 September 2012. For the first time, the Message describes in one document the tasks of humanitarian aid, development cooperation, economic and trade policy measures within the framework of development cooperation, and cooperation with the countries of Eastern Europe.

Flooding in North Korea: Switzerland makes funds available for reconstruction and restoration of water supply

22.08.2012 — Article DEZA

The flooding in North Korea caused by torrential rainfall in July and August has claimed more than 160 lives and caused extensive damage. Around 210,000 people are homeless and tens of thousands are in need of clean drinking water. In response, Switzerland has made CHF 200,000 available for emergency relief measures. Swiss Humanitarian Aid will use these funds to reconstruct houses and to restore the supply of drinking water in the affected areas.

One year since the approval of the special credit for the Horn of Africa

20.08.2012 — Article DEZA

Emergency relief and food security are focal points of Swiss aid

A year ago, the Federal Council approved a special credit of CHF 20 million to help relieve the situation in the Horn of Africa where more than 13 million people were suffering from hunger. Extreme drought caused one of the most severe humanitarian crises in 30 years in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya. Swiss Humanitarian Aid allocated the funds mainly for life-saving measures and food security.

Iran accepts Switzerland’s offer of assistance

16.08.2012 — Article DEZA

On Thursday, Swiss Humanitarian Aid dispatched a four-man team of experts to the earthquake region in north-western Iran to carry out a fact-finding mission and, together with the Iranian authorities and the Iranian Red Crescent, to prepare for the distribution of emergency relief materials.

At the same times, measures were being undertaken to prepare for the air transport of winter-proof relief supplies for 1000 persons to the earthquake region as rapidly as possible.

The relief items primarily concern tents, tent insulation and heating apparatus, blankets, and field kitchens.

Crisis in Syria: Interview with Martin Zirn, Swiss expert on mission for the UNHCR

10.08.2012 — Article DEZA

Thousands of Syrians fleeing to northern Iraq

Martin Zirn is a member of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit with many years’ experience including several postings to Iraq as an expert in shelter construction, water and sanitation projects. Since the outbreak of the crisis in neighbouring Syria, tens of thousands of people have fled the country including several thousand to northern Iraq. Zurich-based Martin Zirn has been seconded to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) by the Humanitarian Aid of the Swiss Confederation as a senior technical co-ordinator and project head.

More responsibility for the recipients

03.08.2012 — Article DEZA

Interview about the effectiveness of development cooperation

Brian Atwood, director of the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) development committee DAC, talks about how the effectiveness of development cooperation can be improved by establishing clear criteria for monitoring and by more effective coordination among donor countries.

Afghanistan: Cooperation Office opened 10 years ago

09.07.2012 — Article DEZA

The Swiss Cooperation Office in Afghanistan celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2012. Subject to fundamental changes, Afghanistan is one of the so-called «fragile» states. Given this complex and volatile context, the SDC is stepping up its commitment in an effort to prevent the achievements so far from being undone. Elisabeth von Capeller, head of the Division South Asia, visited the country from 6–11 June 2012 and shares her impressions. Furthermore, the exhibition “New Afghanistan through Afghan Eyes” proposes to discover the many facets of this country through the photographs of young Afghan artists.

Mali: aid targeted to local needs

04.07.2012 — Article DEZA

Interview with Geneviève Federspiel, resident director of Swiss cooperation in Mali from 2008-June 2012

«Whenever a door opens, we enter it»

Rede Burkhalter - GV Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation - Die Schweizer Entwicklungszusammenarbeit: Mit Herz und gemeinsamer Verantwortung mehr erreichen

23.06.2012 — Article DEZA

Winterthur - Rede von Bundesrat Didier Burkhalter - Es gilt das gesprochene Wort

A quick transition to a green economy could rescue millions from poverty

14.06.2012 — Article DEZA

The shift to a green and inclusive economy could free millions from poverty and improve the lives of the 1.3 billion people who today have to get by on only 1.25$ a day. For this to happen, political commitment as well as the commitment of public and private investors is required. The steps needed include reform of governance in the area of land rights and access to water, expansion of social security systems and a guarantee of social services for the poor.

Fragile states: Adapting and enhancing commitment

25.05.2012 — Article DEZA

Approximately 1.5 billion human beings live in states which are fragile or affected by conflict. They number among the most disadvantaged populations on our planet. The complexity of the situation in which these people find themselves makes it necessary for development cooperation to modify and adapt its mode of action. If the Swiss Parliament approves the Federal Council’s Message on Switzerland’s International Cooperation 2013-2016, the SDC will be able to substantially increase the aid it provides to fragile states.

Repatriation and reintegration of Afghan refugees

10.05.2012 — Article DEZA

The aim of the International Conference on Afghan Displacement, held in Geneva on 2-3 May 2012, was to find sustainable solutions for Afghan refugees. The new strategy endorsed by the conference primarily supports voluntary repatriation, sustainable reintegration and assistance to host countries. The conference can be regarded as a success for Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan in view of the support pledged by the international community, and for Switzerland as the host country and facilitator for implementation of the new strategy.