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Welche Welt für morgen? (de)

17.08.2019 — EDA
Montreux. 17.08.2019 - Opening speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at the 97th Congress of the Swiss Abroad - Check against delivery

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.

Ignazio Cassis visits Swiss projects in cyclone-stricken Mozambique

07.08.2019 — EDA
On the second day of his trip to Mozambique, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visited Swiss humanitarian aid projects in the country. In Beira in central Mozambique he saw first-hand the scale of the devastation caused by Cyclone Idai in March 2019 and the measures taken in its wake.

Ignazio Cassis attends the ceremony marking the signing of Swiss-brokered peace treaty in Mozambique

06.08.2019 — EDA
Together with other high-ranking members of the international community, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, took part earlier today in a ceremony marking the signing of the peace accord between RENAMO and FRELIMO, the opposing sides in Mozambique's civil war. This peace accord was in large measure concluded thanks to Swiss support.

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.

State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl represents Switzerland at ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and attends opening of a new heart clinic affiliated with Kantha Bopha Children's Hospitals in Cambodia

02.08.2019 — EDA
On 1 and 2 August , FDFA State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl made a visit at Thailand's invitation to Bangkok, where she represented Switzerland at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, attended the signing of a Swiss cooperation agreement with the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management, and met with high-ranking government representatives from Asia, Europe and North America. Before travelling to Thailand, Ms Baeriswyl visited Cambodia, where she attended the opening of the new Kantha Bopha Hospital heart clinic in Phnom Penh.

100 years of Lia Rumantscha: 5 regional varieties welded into one language

02.08.2019 — EDA
Zuoz, 02.08.2019 - Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis - Check against delivery

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).

1 August address in Chiasso: Un viaggio attraverso le culture della Svizzera (it)

01.08.2019 — EDA
Chiasso, 01.08.2019 - Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the Swiss National Day 2019 - Check against delivery

1 August address at the Pâquier Mottier alpine chalet (1,375m): Le fromage d’alpage sur tous les marchés (fr)

01.08.2019 — EDA
L'Etivaz, 01.08.2019 - Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the Swiss National Day 2019 - Check against delivery

Media (2373)

Parliament to be more closely involved in soft law projects

27.06.2019 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council wants to involve Parliament in a more targeted manner in soft law projects. This is because although not legally binding, soft law can be politically effective. In line with postulate 18.4104, the Federal Council notes that soft law has become an instrument used to shape international relations. At its session of 26 June, the Federal Council adopted a report outlining ways for Parliament to be involved in a more targeted manner in soft law projects while maintaining the constitutional balance of powers and Switzerland's ability to conduct foreign policy. In particular, the Federal Council aims to improve the provision of information and reporting to Parliament and to step up exchanges between the two bodies on soft law.

FDFA bans Pilatus from supplying services in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates

26.06.2019 — Press release EDA
The Directorate of Political Affairs at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) issued a ban on services provided by Pilatus Aircraft Ltd in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates based on the Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad (PSSA). The Directorate has also filed a report with the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland.

Annual Conference of Swiss Development Cooperation: new partnerships for a better future

21.06.2019 — Press release EDA
International cooperation is now inconceivable without partnerships with public and private institutions. Several successful partnerships were presented at the Annual Conference of Swiss Development Cooperation organised jointly by the SDC and SECO. Over 1,200 people attended this year's conference in Fribourg, which focused on youth.

Working meeting between President Ueli Maurer and Colombian President Iván Duque in Bern

20.06.2019 — Press release EDA
On Thursday, 20 June, President Ueli Maurer received Colombian President Iván Duque for a working meeting at the Bernerhof, where talks covered bilateral issues including economic affairs, as well as the situation in Colombia and in the neighbouring country of Venezuela.

Ignazio Cassis meets Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow

19.06.2019 — Press release EDA
On 19 June 2019, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for the third time in nine months. At their working meeting, which took place in Moscow, bilateral relations, the Council of Europe and Ukraine were among the topics discussed. The previous evening, both had attended the inauguration of the new Swiss embassy in Moscow.

Partenaires de la coopération Suisse parmi les victimes d’une attaque contre des populations civiles au Mali (fr)

19.06.2019 — Press release EDA
La Suisse condamne avec la plus grande fermeté les nouvelles attaques commises les 17 et 18 juin dans la région de Mopti (centre du Mali). Parmi les victimes de ces actes épouvantables figurent des membres d’une association partenaire de la coopération Suisse au Mali.

Switzerland's 70-year membership of UNESCO – Ignazio Cassis speaks of UNESCO's exceptional power of mobilisation and the need for reform

17.06.2019 — Press release EDA
On Monday, at an event in Bern to mark Switzerland's 70-year membership of UNESCO, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis acknowledged "the commitment of those who work for the preservation of memory and development of knowledge". Speaking to an audience of representatives from international organisations, federal offices, the cantons and civil society, Mr Cassis highlighted UNESCO's power of mobilisation and the need for reform to address the challenges of the digital age. He also referred to Switzerland's candidacy for election to the UNESCO Executive Board for the period 2020–23.

Switzerland to strengthen its presence in the House of Switzerland at the WEF in Davos

14.06.2019 — Press release EDA
At its meeting of 14 June 2019, the Federal Council decided to institutionalise the current House of Switzerland (HoS) at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. Under the aegis of Presence Switzerland, the HoS will be established in the home stadium of Hockey Club Davos to serve as a communication and networking platform for the official Swiss delegation to the WEF.

Ignazio Cassis inaugurates new Swiss embassy in Moscow and meets Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

13.06.2019 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will pay a working visit to Russia from 18 to 19 June 2019. The visit will focus on a working meeting with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the inauguration of the new Swiss embassy building in Moscow.

Switzerland holds dialogue round with Iran

13.06.2019 — Press release EDA
As part of annual bilateral consultations, a high-ranking Iranian delegation comprised of representatives of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and judiciary visited Switzerland on 12 and 13 June. Bilateral, regional and multilateral matters, as well as judicial and human rights issues, were discussed within the framework of the existing dialogue formats. The consultations were held against the backdrop of tensions that have recently affected regional and global stability. Switzerland and Iran also signed an agreement on good offices.

2018 annual report on international cooperation: commitment to sustainable development and a stable international environment

11.06.2019 — Press release EDA
In 2018, 700 million people were living in extreme poverty and 70 million people were displaced. Switzerland works to combat poverty, overcome global challenges like climate change and promote peace and human rights. This is a significant contribution to sustainable development and a stable international environment, as can be seen in the 2018 annual report on international cooperation published today by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER).

Switzerland renews support to UNHCR

07.06.2019 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council agreed at its meeting of 7 June 2019 to make a CHF 125 million contribution to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for the 2019–22 period. The large number of crises around the world in 2018 meant that more than 21 million people received assistance and protection from UNHCR programmes, which are primarily implemented in neighbouring regions. Switzerland's partnership with the UNHCR is key to implementing its strategy linking international cooperation and national migration interests. In addition, Switzerland promotes its priorities within the Executive Committee of the UNHCR, the UN's largest organisation headquartered in Geneva.

Other news (112)

Welche Welt für morgen? (de)

17.08.2019 — EDA
Montreux. 17.08.2019 - Opening speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at the 97th Congress of the Swiss Abroad - Check against delivery