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Switzerland increases aid for Pakistan

13.08.2010 — Press release EDA
Switzerland has increased its emergency aid contributions for flood victims in Pakistan. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs now reckons with a long-term deployment in Pakistan. Four employees of the Swiss humanitarian aid unit (SHA) will set off for the crisis regions this weekend.

SDC Coordinator’s Workshop in Lugano: development cooperation in time of global change

13.08.2010 — Press release EDA
Those in charge of Swiss development cooperation at home and abroad are set to meet at the SDC Coordinators’ Workshop, on 15-18 August, 2010, in Lugano. At the top of the agenda is the strategic direction of Swiss development cooperation in a changing global environment. The Swiss foreign minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey, will also take part in discussions.

FDFA employee Markus Müller to head OSCE police advisory group in Kyrgyzstan

12.08.2010 — Press release EDA
The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has appointed the Swiss national Markus Müller as head of the Police Advisory Group in Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday. The FDFA welcomes this appointment.

Switzerland helps thousands of flood victims in Pakistan

10.08.2010 — Press release EDA
The situation in Pakistan remains desperate. Switzerland is helping the flood victims by supplying materials and making contributions to international organisations.

Switzerland is helping Russia to fight the fires

10.08.2010 — Press release EDA
There is no sign of an early end to the fires ravaging Russia. Given the continuing dry weather, a worsening of the situation is likely. Switzerland is supporting Russia in its attempts to combat the fires.

Federal councillor Calmy-Rey appointed to the Global Sustainability Panel by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

09.08.2010 — Press release EDA
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has established a special panel for global sustainability. Its task will be to devise new approaches for the solution of global problems in the area of environment and development. The panel will consist of over 20 high ranking personalities. At the request of the Secretary General, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will be a member of this panel.

Help for flood victims in Pakistan

05.08.2010 — Press release EDA
The situation in the flooded regions of Pakistan is increasingly serious. The FDFA has started immediate emergency measures and is considering providing additional aid. A Swiss mission is now assessing the needs on the spot.

First-of-August celebrations with positive stock-taking of the first half of the Swiss Pavilion’s exhibition time in Shanghai

01.08.2010 — Press release EDA
Today, the Swiss Pavilion, which is organised by Presence Switzerland within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), and the Swiss Club Shanghai together celebrated the First of August at the World Exhibition. With the first half of Switzerland’s presence in Shanghai now behind us, the FDFA takes a positive view of it.

Official visit by the President of the Republic of Macedonia

26.07.2010 — Press release EDA
On 26 July, President Doris Leuthard, accompanied by Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, will receive the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Gjorge Ivanov, accompanied by Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki. The official meetings will take place at the Lohn country residence and be followed by a lunch hosted by the President of the Swiss Confederation.

Federal Council in favour of Kazakhstan joining the Swiss constituency in the IMF/World Bank

21.07.2010 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council is in favour of Kazakhstan being included the Swiss constituency in the IMF and World Bank. It has responded favourably to an expression of interest by Kazakhstan.

Switzerland hands over to Germany documents on GDR assets

15.07.2010 — Press release EDA
The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) yesterday handed to the German Embassy in Bern a series of bank documents that could shed light on the existence of possible misappropriated assets of parties and people’s organisations from former East Germany. The Federal Council made the decision to transfer the documents to Germany at its meeting on 30 June 2010. Germany had previously asked Switzerland for the documents in order to obtain further information about illegal financial movements before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The accounts that were found had been closed several years ago. At the time of closure, they did not hold any assets.

Federal Councillor Calmy-Rey attends OSCE meeting of ministers in Kazakhstan

15.07.2010 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey is to attend the ministerial meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe being held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on 16-17 July 2010. Foreign ministers and other high-ranking representatives of the 56 OSCE States will meet to discuss security in Europe and the role of the OSCE in European security policy.

Media (2652)

World Climate Conference-3 Establishes a Global Framework on Climate Services

03.09.2009 — Press release EDA
World Climate Conference-3 (WCC-3), which has brought together from 31 August to 4 September 2009, in Geneva, Switzerland, more than 2000 climate scientists, sectoral experts and decision-makers today established a Global Framework for Climate Services "to strengthen production, availability, delivery and application of science-based climate prediction and services."

Press release by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey

01.09.2009 — Press release EDA
The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey have agreed to start their internal political consultations on the two protocols – the “Protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations” and the “Protocol on the development of bilateral relations” – which have been initialled in the course of their efforts under Swiss mediation.

WCC-3: Working to make climate services available to all

31.08.2009 — Press release EDA
Experts and politicians from around the world are meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, this week to ensure that the current and future generations have access to the climate predictions and information necessary for various socio-economic sectors to cope with climate variability and change. This will be done in particular by identifying the key components required for a Global Framework for Climate Services.

Switzerland – Libya: Federal Council designates arbitrator for arbitral tribuna

30.08.2009 — Press release EDA
The Implementation of the agreement between Switzerland and Libya is following its course in time. As a next step, both countries must establish an arbitral tribunal and designate each an independent third country personality. The Federal Council has designated the British lawyer Elizabeth Wilmshurst as arbitrator.

Annual Development Cooperation Conference: Climate Protection and Development belong together

21.08.2009 — Press release EDA
Climate change particularly impacts the countries in the South, jeopardizing the progress made in development over the past years. How can climate protection be reconciled with the right to development? This was the question addressed at the Annual Development Conference organized by the SDC and SECO on the theme of “Climate Protection and Development”, which took place on 21 August in Zurich. Some 2500 persons attended the Annual Conference which featured Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard, SDC Director-General Martin Dahinden, the Peruvian Minister of Environment Antonio Brack, as well as numerous speakers from both Switzerland and abroad.

UBS: New Treaty Request Instead Of Unilateral Action

19.08.2009 — Press release EDA
Agreement between Switzerland and the USA enters into force In the UBS case, the United States will submit a new treaty request to Switzerland and will withdraw the John Doe summons that demands disclosure of the identity of 52,000 UBS account-holders. In return, Switzerland has undertaken to process the new treaty request, concerning approx. 4,450 accounts, within a year. These are the terms of the agreement between Switzerland and the USA to settle the looming conflict between the two nations' legal systems.

50 Years of Development Cooperation in Nepal - Opening of an Embassy in Kathmandu

17.08.2009 — Press release EDA
On 17 August, the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Swiss development cooperation with Nepal took place in Kathmandu. The event coincided with the festive opening of a Swiss Embassy in the presence of the Nepal’s Premier Minister Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal and Foreign Minister Ms. Sujata Koirola.

US civil proceedings against UBS: Switzerland and USA agree in principle

12.08.2009 — Press release EDA
The US civil proceedings against UBS are to be settled out of court after Switzerland and the USA reached an Agreement in Principle on Friday.

US civil proceedings against UBS: Switzerland and the USA reach settlement

12.08.2009 — Press release EDA
The out-of-court settlement sought in the US civil proceedings against UBS has been reached. The details of the arrangement were worked out between Switzerland and the USA over the last few days. The judge was informed during a telephone conference on Wednesday. The settlement now has to be signed by both states.

FDFA condemns the extension of the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi

11.08.2009 — Press release EDA
The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) condemns the sentence handed down today against Aung San Suu Kyi of an additional 18 months’ house arrest.

US civil proceedings against UBS: Stay extended once again

07.08.2009 — Press release EDA
The out-of-court settlement being sought in the US civil proceedings against UBS has not yet been achieved. The stay in proceedings will therefore be extended for a further week until Monday, 17 August. The court in Miami approved a motion by both parties to that effect on Friday.

Opening of an Embassy in Nepal: under the Banner of 50 Years of Cooperation

06.08.2009 — Press release EDA
On 17 August 2009, Switzerland will celebrate 50 years of development cooperation with Nepal. The occasion will also be marked by the opening of a new Swiss Embassy in Kathmandu. Today, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs presented the highlights of its activities in Nepal.

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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