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.
10.07.2019
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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.
05.07.2019
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Press releases
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.
20.06.2019
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Press releases
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.
07.06.2019
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Press releases
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.
17.05.2019
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Press releases
EDA
18 May 2019 marks the 10th anniversary of the end of the civil war in Sri Lanka. On this day, Switzerland will remember the many victims of this armed conflict. At the same time, the FDFA is deeply concerned about the recent flare-up in tensions and calls on the Sri Lankan government to do everything in its power to safeguard and strengthen peace and stability in the country.
10.04.2019
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Press releases
EDA
In 2018, Switzerland spent 0.44% of its gross national income (GNI) on official development assistance (ODA), only slightly lower than 2017 (0.46%). This is due to an increase in GNI, fewer asylum-related costs included in ODA, and cost-cutting measures adopted by Parliament.
15.03.2019
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin will take up Switzerland’s seat as governor on the boards of the World Bank Group, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The decision was taken at today’s Federal Council meeting.
14.03.2019
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Press releases
EDA
On the occasion of the third Syria conference, held by the EU and UN in Brussels on 14 March 2019, Switzerland is increasing its commitment in response to the Syrian conflict. In 2019 it will allocate CHF 61 million to support the population in need in Syria and neighbouring countries and a further CHF 7 million to promote peace in the region. Switzerland was represented at the conference by the State Secretary of the FDFA Pascale Baeriswyl. In addition to humanitarian engagement, the conference will seek support for a political solution through the UN-led Geneva peace process. Syrian civil society must be involved if there is to be lasting peace, along with efforts to address the massive violations of international humanitarian law and human rights in Syria. Switzerland is pursuing both of these objectives with specific projects.
15.02.2019
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Press releases
EDA
In 2019, Switzerland will provide CHF 10 million and deploy experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) to help tackle the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh. The humanitarian crisis in eastern Bangladesh, a region that has taken in large numbers refugees, remains acute. The international Joint Response Plan seeks to raise USD 920 million to meet basic needs.
05.02.2019
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Press releases
EDA
At the annual press conference of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Director General Manuel Sager presented the agency's priorities for 2019 and the main objectives of the next dispatch on international cooperation (2021–24). Experts took stock of Switzerland's activities in the field of water, a vital resource for humanity.
20.12.2018
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Press releases
EDA
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi paid a visit to Bern on 20 December 2018. He held talks with Federal Councillors Ignazio Cassis and Simonetta Sommaruga, and met with President of the National Council Marina Carobbio Guscetti.
07.12.2018
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Press releases
EDA
In its meeting on 7 December, the Federal Council reviewed the global compact on refugees, which is expected to be endorsed by the UN General Assembly in conjunction with its annual resolution on the work of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The Federal Council has tasked the FDFA to instruct Switzerland's permanent mission in New York to vote in favour of this resolution and to inform the competent parliamentary committees of its decision.
Last update 19.07.2023
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