Press releases

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Situation in Gaza: Federal Council calls for unrestricted humanitarian access and an immediate ceasefire

30.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 28 May 2025, the Federal Council once again discussed the war in the Gaza Strip between Israel and the terrorist organisation Hamas and made a full assessment of the situation. It is deeply dismayed at the unbearable human suffering and calls for unrestricted humanitarian access and an immediate ceasefire. A week ago, the Federal Council allocated CHF 10 million to humanitarian actors in the occupied Palestinian territory. At the same time, Switzerland continues to work internationally for a political solution to the conflict.

Federal Council allocates CHF 20 million to occupied Palestinian territory and to UNRWA in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria

21.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 21 May 2025, the Federal Council decided to grant CHF 9 million to four humanitarian organisations to support Palestinians affected by the conflict in the occupied Palestinian territory. A further CHF 10 million will be allocated to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) for its programme in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. CHF 1 million will also be earmarked to implement the Colonna report's recommendations for reinforcing UNRWA's impartiality.

President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, to pay state visit to Switzerland

12.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
In recognition of the close and multifaceted relations between Switzerland and Kosovo, the Federal Council has invited Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu and her husband Prindon Sadriu to pay a state visit to Switzerland. President Karin Keller-Sutter will lead the Federal Council in corpore in welcoming President Osmani with military honours on Bundesplatz on Wednesday, 21 May. This will be followed by official speeches and political discussions. The programme the following day will focus on business and innovation.

International cooperation: targeted Swiss support for UN agencies and International Geneva

08.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has decided the FDFA will grant CHF 39 million to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), UN Women, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for 2025. By renewing these contributions, the FDFA is also sending out a strong signal in support of International Geneva.

Federal Council reaffirms support for three international humanitarian organisations

16.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 16 April 2025, the Federal Council decided to allocate a total of almost CHF 250 million to support the operations of Switzerland's three main humanitarian partners for 2025 and 2026. The funding will benefit the World Food Programme (WFP), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Switzerland is thus reaffirming its support for key humanitarian organisations that provide urgently needed assistance worldwide.

Syrian crisis: Switzerland pledges CHF 60 million to support future of Syria and countries in region

17.03.2025 — Press releases EDA
The direction of future developments in Syria remains uncertain since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on 8 December 2024. In view of the scale of needs there, Switzerland reaffirms its support. At the Ninth Brussels Conference on Syria, held by the EU on 17 March 2025, the director general of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Patricia Danzi, announced a contribution of CHF 60 million.

Lebanon: Switzerland sends water and sanitation support

11.12.2024 — Press releases EDA
Since September 2024, developments in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel have led to the displacement of thousands of people inside Lebanon, depriving them of access to drinking water in particular. Faced with this situation, Switzerland has decided to provide additional expertise and equipment to support ongoing activities in the Bekaa Valley. The aim is to maintain equitable access to water for those affected.

Czech President Petr Pavel to pay state visit to Switzerland

29.10.2024 — Press releases EDA
Next week the Federal Council, led by President Viola Amherd, will receive the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, for a state visit. The Federal Council’s invitation to President Pavel and First Lady Eva Pavlová reflects the excellent relations between Switzerland and the Czech Republic. In addition to shared values and vibrant political, economic and cultural exchanges, the two countries share close personal and historical ties.

Federal Council requests CHF 13 million for humanitarian aid in Middle East

27.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 27 September 2024, the Federal Council took a decision concerning the final instalment of the credit for humanitarian operations in the Middle East. A total of CHF 13 million will be used to support national and international organisations working in the region. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has been instructed to consult the foreign affairs committees. In this context, the FDFA informed the Federal Council about how it intends to implement Parliament's decision to reduce the humanitarian credit for 2024. The Federal Council reiterates its call for a diplomatic solution that upholds international humanitarian law and leads to de-escalation and peace in the Middle East.

Jacques Gerber appointed Federal Council Delegate for Ukraine

04.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
Bern, 04.09.2024 – At its meeting on 4 September 2024, the Federal Council appointed Jacques Gerber to act as Federal Council Delegate for Ukraine. Mr Gerber, who is currently councillor of state for the canton of Jura, will carry out preparatory work for and manage the Federal Council's consolidated 'Ukraine country programme'. The 51-year-old will take up his new post on 1 January 2025.

Switzerland supports future of Syria and neighbouring countries with CHF 60 million

27.05.2024 — Press releases EDA
The Syrian population is still suffering from the consequences of the ongoing conflict that began in 2011, and these are also being felt in neighbouring countries. Switzerland reaffirmed its commitment by pledging CHF 60 million at the 8th Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region on 27 May 2024.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to travel to Hungary and the Western Balkans

21.05.2024 — Press releases EDA
On Wednesday, 22 May, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will travel to Budapest to meet with his Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjártó and Minister for European Union Affairs Janos Bóka. He will also pay a courtesy visit to President Tamás Sulyok. Hungary will hold the presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2024. Following his visit to Hungary, Mr Cassis will travel to Montenegro on 23 May at the invitation of Foreign Minister Filip Ivanovic, before meeting Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Siniša Mali in Belgrade on Friday, 24 May.The meetings will focus on Switzerland's bilateral relations with the three countries, European policy and the European security situation.

Media (225)

President Cassis receives Hungary’s President Áder in Neuhausen

09.03.2022 — Press releases EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Ignazio Cassis, received Hungarian President János Áder in Neuhausen in the canton of Schaffhausen on Wednesday, 9 March for a working visit. The main topic of the exchange was the Russian military attack against Ukraine.

Switzerland steps up humanitarian aid for Ukraine

07.03.2022 — Press releases EDA
A fourth consignment of relief supplies to meet people's daily needs is departing from Switzerland today (Monday) by rail for Poland and the Ukrainian border. Swiss Humanitarian Aid has set up a hub for relief supplies in the Polish city of Lublin in order to coordinate its support for the Ukrainian population. The Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit has dispatched an additional rapid response team to Moldova. During this first phase of the relief operation, Swiss Humanitarian Aid's support package is initially set at 8 million Swiss francs.

Switzerland's national churches show solidarity: Presidents of Swiss Confederation, National Council and Council of States call for pause for peace

04.03.2022 — Press releases EDA
As a sign of solidarity with the people affected by the war in Ukraine, all church bells in Switzerland will ring for three minutes at 10am on 9 March. Switzerland's Bishops' Conference, Protestant Reformed Church and Christian Catholic Church are asking the country's population to pause for peace during the three minutes. President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis, together with National Council President Irène Kälin and Council of States President Thomas Hefti, is supporting this campaign.

Global Compact on Refugees: Switzerland keeps its word

14.12.2021 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis today opened the High-Level Officials Meeting on the Global Compact on Refugees. Speaking remotely, he emphasised the initiatives implemented by Switzerland to follow up on commitments made at the 2019 Global Refugee Forum. The meeting was co-organised by Switzerland and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and aims to review actions undertaken to bolster support for displaced persons and their host countries. The vast majority of the world's 26 million refugees live in countries bordering crisis areas.

National Future Day: Children talk about their experiences at the FDFA

11.11.2021 — Press releases EDA
On National Future Day at the FDFA's head office in Berne, 50 children got the chance to visit the Federal Council Chamber and look over the shoulder of the people who implement Switzerland's foreign affairs.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi in Bern for talks with Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis

21.10.2021 — Press releases EDA
On 21 October 2021, Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees was in Bern for talks with Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and SDC Director General Patricia Danzi. The meeting with Mr Cassis focused on cooperation between Switzerland and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as well as the crises in Afghanistan, Libya, Syrie and Yemen.

Afghanistan: Switzerland completes evacuation operation

27.08.2021 — Press releases EDA
A total of 385 people have been flown out of Afghanistan in Switzerland's largest evacuation operation to date. The FDFA is in contact with the remaining 11 Swiss nationals in Afghanistan. The evacuation has now been completed and the crisis unit for Afghanistan dissolved. Although the operation has been successful, Switzerland remains concerned about the deteriorating security situation in Kabul and strongly condemns yesterday's attacks.

All SDC local staff and their families evacuated from Kabul

24.08.2021 — Press releases EDA
The FDFA-chartered plane from Tashkent landed at Zurich Airport on the night of 24 August 2021. On board were 219 people evacuated from Kabul, including 141 members of the SDC's local staff and their families. The remaining local SDC employees and their families have already been able to leave Kabul and are awaiting repatriation to Switzerland. All local staff wishing to leave Afghanistan have now been evacuated from the Afghan capital. At present, 15 Swiss nationals are still in Afghanistan. Switzerland is continuing its efforts to ensure that they can also be evacuated.

Swiss staff evacuated from SDC cooperation office in Kabul

16.08.2021 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland is concerned about the grave security situation in Afghanistan. Given the events of the last few days, the FDFA has temporarily closed the cooperation office of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and had its Swiss staff flown out of Kabul. On 16 August 2021, the three remaining staff members landed in Doha. They will travel to Switzerland from there as soon as possible. Three other staff members had already left Kabul. Efforts are under way to find a solution for local personnel so that the FDFA's local employees and their immediate families can also leave Afghanistan.

Switzerland takes part in International Donors' Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants

17.06.2021 — Press releases EDA
On 17 June the international community came together at the Canada-organised International Donors' Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants. Patricia Danzi, Director General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), represented Switzerland. This year, Switzerland will commit over CHF 12 million to humanitarian aid in Venezuela and the region.

Expanding bilateral cooperation with Sudan: FDFA-FDJP delegation has visited Khartoum for talks

15.06.2021 — Press releases EDA
A delegation led by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) travelled to Sudan for political consultations from 13 to 14 June. The talks focused on the priorities of the Federal Council's Sub-Saharan Africa Strategy 2021–24, strengthening peacebuilding efforts and development cooperation, closer cooperation in the area of migration and aspects of economic development and debt relief.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó

20.04.2021 — Press releases EDA
On Tuesday 20 April 2021, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó, for an official working meeting in Bern. Their talks focused on bilateral relations, Hungary's upcoming chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, and the socio-political and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other news (3)

First Global Refugee Forum in Geneva brings together actors committed to finding shared solutions

17.12.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has opened the Global Refugee Forum together with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. The purpose of the forum, which takes place on 17 and 18 December at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, is to find shared solutions to meet the needs of refugees and their host communities.

FDFA notes resignation of UNRWA Commissioner-General

06.11.2019 — EDA
The United Nations (UN) has announced the resignation of the Commissioner-General for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Pierre Krähenbühl. The announcement follows the launch of an investigation into misconduct allegations involving UNRWA's management. The FDFA notes the resignation and calls for a full and thorough clarification of the facts. Switzerland will withhold payment of its project contributions pending the outcome of the investigation.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visits Samos refugee camp and meets new Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs

10.07.2019 — 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.

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Press releases

All news (228)

Situation in Gaza: Federal Council calls for unrestricted humanitarian access and an immediate ceasefire

Federal Council allocates CHF 20 million to occupied Palestinian territory and to UNRWA in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria

President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, to pay state visit to Switzerland

International cooperation: targeted Swiss support for UN agencies and International Geneva

Federal Council reaffirms support for three international humanitarian organisations

Syrian crisis: Switzerland pledges CHF 60 million to support future of Syria and countries in region

Lebanon: Switzerland sends water and sanitation support

Czech President Petr Pavel to pay state visit to Switzerland

Federal Council requests CHF 13 million for humanitarian aid in Middle East

Jacques Gerber appointed Federal Council Delegate for Ukraine

Switzerland supports future of Syria and neighbouring countries with CHF 60 million

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to travel to Hungary and the Western Balkans

Media (225)

President Cassis receives Hungary’s President Áder in Neuhausen

Switzerland steps up humanitarian aid for Ukraine

Switzerland's national churches show solidarity: Presidents of Swiss Confederation, National Council and Council of States call for pause for peace

Global Compact on Refugees: Switzerland keeps its word

National Future Day: Children talk about their experiences at the FDFA

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi in Bern for talks with Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis

Afghanistan: Switzerland completes evacuation operation

All SDC local staff and their families evacuated from Kabul

Swiss staff evacuated from SDC cooperation office in Kabul

Switzerland takes part in International Donors' Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants

Expanding bilateral cooperation with Sudan: FDFA-FDJP delegation has visited Khartoum for talks

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó

Other news (3)

First Global Refugee Forum in Geneva brings together actors committed to finding shared solutions

FDFA notes resignation of UNRWA Commissioner-General

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visits Samos refugee camp and meets new Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs

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