FDFA news

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.

FDFA notes resignation of UNRWA Commissioner-General

06.11.2019 — EDA
The United Nations (UN) has announced the resignation of the Commissioner-General for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Pierre Krähenbühl. The announcement follows the launch of an investigation into misconduct allegations involving UNRWA's management. The FDFA notes the resignation and calls for a full and thorough clarification of the facts. Switzerland will withhold payment of its project contributions pending the outcome of the investigation.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon pays working visit to Bern

05.11.2019 — Press release EDA
On Tuesday, 5 November, President Ueli Maurer received Tajik President Emomali Rahmon for a working visit. The official talks in the Bernerhof focused on bilateral relations and cooperation in international organisations, as well as under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization

05.11.2019 — EDA
Switzerland ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) precisely 20 years ago. To mark the occasion, Federal Councillor and Head of the FDFA Ignazio Cassis met with the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Lassina Zerbo, in Bern. During the meeting, Mr Cassis emphasised the CTBT’s indispensable role in building a world without nuclear weapons. The CTBTO works closely with scientific institutions, including the Swiss Seismological Service at ETH Zurich in Davos, to monitor compliance with the ban. These monitoring activities are also an example of how science and diplomacy can work together to solve political problems.

Swiss expert Marcel Jullier re-elected to UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions

01.11.2019 — EDA
The UN General Assembly has re-elected Swiss expert Marcel Jullier for a second three-year term on the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions. Mr Jullier is a specialist in accounting and controlling. His re-election also advances Switzerland's efforts for adequate Swiss representation in international organisations.

Switzerland commits to the French language as a diplomatic instrument and supports reforms by the new Secretary General of La Francophonie

31.10.2019 — EDA
FDFA Head Ignazio Cassis attended the 36th Francophonie Ministerial Conference in Monaco on 30 and 31 October. As the International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF) prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year in Tunis, the foreign ministers of its member states and governments have decided to refocus the organisation on its main missions, in particular its values (peace, the rule of law and democracy) and the promotion and defence of the French language.

Refugee crisis: Switzerland sends tents and beds to Greece

29.10.2019 — Press release EDA
Swiss Humanitarian Aid has launched two aid operations to alleviate the plight of refugees in Greece. Some 600 family tents and other winter equipment have been dispatched to Lesbos Island. Last week, 500 beds from the inventory of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) were transported to Greece by lorry.

Upcoming Transdniestrian talks would send a positive signal about potential for decreasing tensions, says OSCE Special Representative Bogojević

— Press release EDA

Press release

OSCE Chair welcomes commitment to addressing issue of missing persons in the Western Balkans

— Press release EDA

Press release

Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected by all sides and at all times, says Chair

— Press release EDA

Press release

OSCE Chair in Office and Secretary General at NATO to present the Organization’s contribution to co-operative security response regarding Ukraine

— Press release EDA

Press release

Switzerland at Expo 2020 Dubai: Federal Councillor Cassis takes policy decision on sponsorship deal

30.07.2019 — EDA
The FDFA is no longer pursuing the possibility of a sponsorship with Philip Morris International (PMI) for the Swiss pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis made this decision so as not to undermine the primary objective of the Swiss presence in Dubai, which is to convey a positive image of Switzerland. Mr Cassis has also instructed Presence Switzerland to revise the FDFA's current sponsorship policy by the end of 2019.

FDFA statement concerning the article published on 25 July 2019 by the Swiss weekly Weltwoche about FDFA State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl

25.07.2019 — EDA
The FDFA wishes to emphasise that the decision regarding services supplied by Pilatus Aircraft Ltd in Saudi Arabia was the result of a legal procedure and was therefore not a political decision. The FDFA rejects the assertions made by Weltwoche about State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl in this context.

FDFA State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl in Saudi Arabia for political consultations

22.07.2019 — EDA
FDFA State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl held consultations in Saudi Arabia yesterday. During her visit she met various Saudi and Swiss stakeholders based in the country. The trip follows on from recent contacts with various Gulf states where Ms Baeriswyl discussed the current situation and offered Switzerland's good offices to help ease tensions. To this end, Switzerland applauds the recent evacuation of an Iranian crew member to Oman for medical reasons and Saudi Arabia's efforts in releasing Iranian oil tanker Happiness 1.

41st session of the Human Rights Council – Switzerland successfully presents two resolutions

12.07.2019 — EDA
The Human Rights Council (HRC) concludes today its 41st session. Switzerland successfully presented two resolutions: the first one on forced and child marriage and the second on equal pay.

Ignazio Cassis discusses Cyprus question and Syrian crisis with Turkish counterpart

12.07.2019 — EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, culminated his trip to the eastern Mediterranean with a visit to Turkey. During his meeting with Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in Ankara, he spoke, among other things, about the open Cyprus question, human rights, and developments in Syria and their consequences for the region and Europe.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visits Samos refugee camp and meets new Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs

10.07.2019 — EDA
Mr Cassis's visit to Greece has mainly been concerned with the situation of refugees and the challenges posed by migration. On Tuesday, the head of the FDFA visited the refugee camp on Samos and today met Nikos Dendias, who was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs this week, and President Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

Ambassador Mirko Manzoni is appointed the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Mozambique

09.07.2019 — EDA
On 8 July 2019, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Mirko Manzoni, the Swiss ambassador in Maputo, as his Personal Envoy for Mozambique. The FDFA welcomes this decision which recognises Switzerland’s longstanding commitment to the UN and underlines its active role in the ongoing peace process in Mozambique.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis proposes Switzerland's good offices to Cyprus

09.07.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis's visit to Nicosia was marked by the Cyprus question, which has remained unresolved for decades. After a visit to the buffer zone between the north and the south of the island on Monday, Mr Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, met today with Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulides.

Nigeria ordered to release the San Padre Pio, its cargo and crew

06.07.2019 — EDA
In an order delivered today, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg has ruled that the San Padre Pio, a vessel flying the Swiss flag, and its crew and cargo must be released. Switzerland welcomes this decision. Nigeria has been holding the San Padre Pio, with its crew and cargo, for more than 17 months. The order largely upholds the request that Switzerland submitted to the tribunal.

Federal Councillor Cassis to make working visits to Cyprus, Greece and Turkey

05.07.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will visit the two EU member states Cyprus and Greece as well as Turkey from 8 to 12 July 2019. In addition to talks with his counterparts in Cyprus and Turkey and a courtesy call on the president of Greece, the programme also includes a visit to the UN buffer zone in Cyprus and the refugee camp on the Greek island of Samos.

'Together we're better': SDC and SECO sponsor initiatives run by committed young people

18.01.2019 — EDA
Working with young men and women on overcoming global challenges: the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) have launched the 'Together we're better' competition, sponsoring initiatives run by young people. The SDC and SECO are looking for innovative projects run by young people in the 16–35 age group which aim to improve the living conditions of disadvantaged communities in developing countries. Prizes will be awarded to the winning projects at the 2019 Annual Development Cooperation Conference to be held in Fribourg on 21 June 2019.

Christine Schraner Burgener appointed UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Myanmar

26.04.2018 — EDA
The FDFA welcomes the UN Secretary-General's decision to appoint Ambassador Christine Schraner Burgener as his special envoy for Myanmar. This is further proof of the excellence of Swiss diplomacy.