Here you can find the last 12 media releases and other news published by the FDFA, such as statements, announcements and articles, in chronological order.
All media releases can be found on the Administarions's website.
10.10.2013
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Press releases
EDA
On 10 October 2013, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter met the Turkish foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoğlu, at the Lohn Manor in Kehrsatz for talks. Switzerland will expand and consolidate the already intensive relations between the two countries with the aim of creating a strategic partnership with Turkey, which is an emerging power and member of the G20.
16.09.2013
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Press releases
EDA
Twenty-four Myanmar nationals who are currently in Switzerland taking a course on international relations, democracy, and human security met the president of the Council of States, Filippo Lombardi, on 16 September in Bern. They also met the state secretary of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Yves Rossier. Relations between Switzerland and Myanmar and Switzerland's contributions to Myanmar were among the topics they discussed.
13.09.2013
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Press releases
EDA
During its meeting on Friday 13 September, the Federal Council adopted an agreement with Jordan on humanitarian aid as well as technical and financial cooperation. Jordan has been severely impacted by the crisis in Syria and is currently hosting more than 500,000 of the 2 million refugees from the conflict. Thanks to this agreement, there is now a formal legal basis for Swiss (particularly humanitarian) assistance, which will facilitate cooperation in assisting the most vulnerable populations in the region.
10.09.2013
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Press releases
EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) welcomes and supports the idea to place chemical weapons under international control as a means to implementing international humanitarian law and re-establishing the dialogue in order to find a just and negotiated solution to the conflict in Syria. The positive reactions to the recent Russian proposal, in particular from the United States, are encouraging. Switzerland reiterates its call to all parties to accept their responsibility to work towards a political solution and to protect the civilian population in conformity with the provisions of international humanitarian law.
10.09.2013
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Article
DEZA
Interview with Lukas Rüst, a member of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) who is working as a protection expert in Maban County, South Sudan on sec
Continued fighting in the states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan in the south of Sudan has caused more than 200,000 people to flee to neighbouring South Sudan. Many were forced to leave all of their possessions behind when they fled. Since June 2012, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been providing emergency aid to more than 115,000 people in the north of South Sudan (Upper Nile state). The UNHCR and its partners are offering these displaced people protection in four refugee camps in Maban County. This emergency aid operation is taking place in a very remote region, which makes it very demanding from a logistical perspective. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is supporting this humanitarian operation through multilateral contributions and the secondment of experts. Protection is one of the priorities for the SDC in South Sudan.
28.08.2013
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Press releases
EDA
Switzerland is extremely concerned by the political and humanitarian situation in Syria and strongly condemns the serious violations of international humanitarian law which culminated in the alleged use of chemical weapons. Switzerland reiterates its appeal to reason and to all sides to assume their responsibilities and work towards a political solution. Everything possible must be done as a matter of urgency to protect the civilian population in accordance with humanitarian rules.
19.08.2013
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Press releases
EDA
The 2013 Ambassadors and Representations abroad Conference has begun in Bern with an opening address by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter. The 4-day event is entitled "Switzerland confronts the risks and challenges for foreign and security policy". Around 230 Swiss representatives working abroad will debate current foreign and security policy issues in working groups and plenary discussions, as well as Switzerland's response to the challenges involved.
07.06.2013
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Press releases
EDA
There is no end in sight to the violence in Syria and the humanitarian situation is unlikely to improve in the near future. On 7 June 2013, the UN in Geneva published its assistance plans for Syria and neighbouring countries for the second half of 2013. The UN and its partners have requested USD 4.4 billion to alleviate suffering. Switzerland intends to add CHF 20 million to the CHF 30 million already provided for the victims since the beginning of the conflict in Syria.
15.05.2013
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Article
DEZA
«A chaotic situation and a strong team»
One year after the food crisis and the takeover of northern territories of the country by armed groups in Mali, the humanitarian situation is critical and its effects are making themselves felt throughout the region. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has been in the country for 35 years, and has had to adapt to these successive crises. Since mid-February 2013, Lucas Riegger, a member of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit, has been providing support for the activities of the SDC’s Cooperation Office (Coof). He was previously based in Dakar, Senegal, on secondment for humanitarian aid to the World Food Programme (WFP).
08.05.2013
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Article
DEZA
8 May is World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day and also the anniversary of the birth of its founder and Nobel laureate, Henry Dunant. This year, 2013, when several special organised events have also been included in the calendar to commemorate 150 years of the ICRC, Switzerland is setting out to pay tribute tothe partners who are keeping its humanitarian tradition and commitment alive. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is taking the opportunity offered by the 8 May to emphasise the excellent relations that Switzerland has with the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) and the close cooperation that exists between them.
07.03.2013
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Press releases
EDA
Today marks the start of Swiss membership of “Friends of Yemen”, a group of over 30 states and several organisations which exists to support political transition in Yemen. At today’s meeting in London, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter mentioned that between 2012 and 2014 Switzerland has provided around CHF 20 million to support political stabilisation and improve the humanitarian situation in the country.
19.02.2013
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Press releases
EDA
After nearly two years of violence, the humanitarian situation in Syria has reached catastrophic proportions and the crisis continues to deteriorate. In light of these events, the 7th Syrian Humanitarian Forum (SHF) took place in Geneva on 19th February 2013. For the first time this important platform for the mobilisation of humanitarian aid and coordination of all humanitarian actors was held at principals’ level, and for the first time it was hosted by Switzerland.
Last update 19.07.2023
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