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Helen Keller re-elected to the UN Human Rights Committee

03.09.2010 — Press release EDA
On 2 September 2010, the Swiss professor of international law, Helen Keller, was re-elected to the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations. Switzerland, which attaches great importance to the work of the Human Rights Committee, wishes to express its great pleasure about the election of the Swiss candidate.

Replenishment of Funds and Continuation of Switzerland’s traditional Aid to Eastern Europe

01.09.2010 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council has decided to request increased funds in order to continue Switzerland’s traditional aid to Eastern Europe by approving a relevant dispatch to parliament at today’s Federal Council meeting. The Federal Council requests that parliament increase the CHF 730 million in funds granted in the framework credit approved in June 2007 by CHF 290 million. This replenishment would ensure the continuation of assistance to the countries of South-Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union up until the end of 2012.

The FDFA condemns the killing of four settlers on the West Bank

01.09.2010 — Press release EDA
The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) condemns the killing of four settlers on the West Bank, which took place just before direct peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians were due to resume on Thursday in Washington.

Federal Councillor Calmy-Rey attends ministerial meeting in India

30.08.2010 — Press release EDA
On Monday Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey met with high representatives of the Indian government in New Delhi for talks. The Head of the FDFA and the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee signed the protocol to the revision of the double taxation agreement (DBA). The occasion of the meeting was also used to announce the opening of a Swiss Consulate-General in Bangalore, which will include a department for the promotion of cooperation in the fields of higher education, research, technology, innovation and culture (swissnex).

Official visit to Bern by the Ghanaian President, John Evans Atta Mills

30.08.2010 — Press release EDA
President Doris Leuthard, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (FDEA), today received the President of Ghana, John Evans Atta Mills, for an official visit at the Lohn Country Residence in Kehrsatz. The Ghanaian President was accompanied by the Foreign Minister and the Ministers for Trade and Industry, Information and a cabinet minister. At the meeting, agreements were signed on air transport and on a project to promote sustainable public procurement in Ghana.

Federal Councillor Calmy-Rey travels to India for a Meeting with Ministers

24.08.2010 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Calmy-Rey will meet for talks in New Delhi on Monday with high representatives of the Indian government. The discussions will focus on bilateral issues, e.g., in the domains of finance and science, as well as on regional and international themes.

Ambassadors Conference 2010

23.08.2010 — Press release EDA
The 2010 Ambassadors Conference starts today in Interlaken. In her opening speech, Mrs Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, said that the days when each country could resolve its problems alone were past. Calling for international cooperation, she explained that this certainly did not mean a loss of independence or an abandonment of sovereignty.

Pakistan: drinking water for 250,000 people

23.08.2010 — Press release EDA
Switzerland is stepping up its aid for Pakistan. In several regions the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is launching projects for the disinfection and distribution of drinking water. About 250,000 people are expected to benefit from this. International organisations will receive further support, and in cooperation with the Swiss Red Cross, tents will be distributed to 5,000 people.

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.

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Switzerland calls for full, equal and meaningful participation and rights of women

27.03.2021 — Press release EDA
Yesterday marked the final sitting of the 65th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York. Switzerland is pleased that agreed conclusions were adopted, and reiterates its commitment to further advancing gender equality and women's rights.

Human Rights Council adopts two Swiss-led initiatives

23.03.2021 — Press release EDA
The Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva today closed its 46th regular session after over four weeks of work, held virtually. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis participated in the opening segment together with 120 high-level officials. During the session, the HRC adopted two initiatives presented by Switzerland and its partner States . The first resolution extended the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment. The second underlined the importance of universal participation of all UN Member States in the work of the HRC.

Diversified relations, constructively critical dialogue – Federal Council adopts China Strategy

19.03.2021 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council adopted a public strategy for China for the first time at its meeting on 19 March 2021. The Strategy sets out the objectives and measures for Swiss policy on China for the 2021–24 period. The Federal Council recognises the importance of China, and intends the Strategy to create greater coherence in Switzerland's activities with this important partner.

UN Office on Drugs and Crime Executive Director Ghada Waly in Bern

18.03.2021 — Press release EDA
Today in Bern Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received the executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ms Ghada Waly. Talks focused on Switzerland's and the UNODC's practices in dealing with corruption and how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on the UN offices in Vienna and Geneva.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives North Macedonian Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani

17.03.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received Foreign Minister of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani on a courtesy visit to Bern on 17 March 2021. Mr Osmani was in Switzerland for a meeting with representatives of his country’s diaspora. The exchange focused on bilateral relations and Switzerland's significant involvement in North Macedonia.

Switzerland sets the tone at UN conference on women's participation in public life and decision-making

15.03.2021 — Press release EDA
The 65th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) will open on Monday 15 March 2021 in New York. The main focus of this year's session will be on the effective participation of women in decision-making in public life and on the elimination of violence against women. The Swiss delegation is led by Federal Councillor Alain Berset.

Federal Council concludes privileges and immunities agreement with GARDP

10.03.2021 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council and the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership (GARDP) signed an agreement on 10 March 2021 concerning the privileges and immunities of the organisation in Switzerland. The GARDP plays a major role in the fight against antibiotic resistance.

Women's Human Rights app: Switzerland presents its digital tool for women's rights

08.03.2021 — Press release EDA
On this year's International Women's Day, the FDFA will present the new improved version of its Women's Human Rights app (W'sHR app). The new version of the app will be launched in New York in the presence of the UN secretary-general and the president of the UN General Assembly. The free app is an innovative digital database on women's rights and gender equality. It can be used to facilitate negotiations and contribute to the efficiency of multilateral processes, putting digitalisation at the service of human rights.

Alleviating suffering and promoting sustainable development: SDC allocates programme contributions for 2021–22

03.03.2021 — Press release EDA
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has signed contracts with 27 partner organisations for programme contributions totalling around CHF 270 million for the 2021–22 period. The international programmes of Swiss NGOs contribute to the implementation of the objectives of Switzerland's new International Cooperation Strategy 2021–24.

Peter Düggeli appointed new head of FDFA Communication

02.03.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has appointed Peter Düggeli, Swiss Radio and Television's US correspondent, as the new head of communication at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). Düggeli will take up his post on 1 April.

Switzerland pledges CHF 14 million for humanitarian aid in Yemen

01.03.2021 — Press release EDA
FDFA head and Vice President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis pledged a CHF 14 million humanitarian aid package at an online conference to raise funds for the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

Ensuring international peace and security: climate and security (virtual) (fr)

23.02.2021 — Press release EDA
Bern, 23.02.2021 – Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the UN Security Council - Check against delivery

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Zusammenarbeit bei Wissenschaft und Diplomatie - Zusammenarbeit für den Frieden (dt./engl.)

02.09.2019 — EDA
Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the events to mark 70 years of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Israel - Check against delivery

Laudatio Carla del Ponte (de)

27.08.2019 — EDA
St. Gallen, 27.08.2019 – Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at the World Demographic & Ageing Forum on the occasion of the Award Ceremony to Carla del Ponte - Check against delivery

Meet the Ambassadors

19.08.2019 — Local news EDA
From August 19 to September 6, 2019, the FDFA is embarking on a special kind of tour de suisse: as part of the "Meet the Ambassadors" project, Swiss ambassadors will visit their home cantons for eleven days to talk about her work abroad or in the FDFA. The focus is on exchanges with people about foreign policy and the work of diplomats.

Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad: annual implementation report for 2018

14.08.2019 — EDA
The authority responsible for the implementation of the Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad (PSSA) has published its third activity report, covering the period from 1 January–31 December 2018. The authority processed a total of 479 declarations from private security companies. The Federal Council took note of this at its meeting on 14 August 2019.

Switzerland's natural beauty, location advantage and political system earn accolades abroad

13.08.2019 — EDA
A representative survey carried out by Presence Switzerland in 19 countries shows that Switzerland enjoys a very positive image abroad. It earns high marks for its natural beauty, unspoiled environment and well-functioning political system, and also as a centre for business, research and education. The Swiss financial sector enjoys an excellent reputation, with its banks and financial institutions taking the first rank ahead of Germany, the UK and the US. There is however limited public awareness internationally of what Switzerland is doing to promote peace and human rights and address the problems the world is facing today.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to visit Mozambique on the occasion of the signing of the peace accord

05.08.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will travel to Mozambique on Tuesday 6 August 2019 to attend the signing ceremony of the peace accord, to which Switzerland made a decisive contribution. Various political talks and visits to Swiss aid projects are also on the agenda. Mr Cassis will be accompanied by Councillor of States Damian Müller and National Councillor Thomas Aeschi.

FDFA regrets demise of the INF Treaty

02.08.2019 — EDA
The FDFA regrets the demise of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty which, since 1987, had banned a particularly destabilising category of nuclear missiles. Termination of the INF Treaty means the loss of an important arms control instrument which has been crucial in contributing to European security.

Celebrating 1 August in Switzerland's four language regions

01.08.2019 — Article EDA
To mark the Swiss national holiday, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis is visiting all four language regions of Switzerland. The head of the FDFA will give a speech and meet with locals at Krauchthal (BE), L'Etivaz (VD), Chiasso (TI) and Zuoz (GR).

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.

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