Press release

President of the Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey meets UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

19.07.2011 — Press release EDA
President of the Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, met UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Geneva on 19 July 2011. Their talks focused on governance issues relating to global sustainability and questions concerning International Geneva.

Switzerland increases its aid to the Horn of Africa

18.07.2011 — Press release EDA
The Humanitarian Aid of the Confederation unlocks an additional credit of CHF 4.5 million to support the populations affected by the food crisis in the Horn of Africa. This amount will be used to help refugees in Ethiopia and Kenya and to assist the most vulnerable populations in Somalia.

Federal President Calmy-Rey has met Russian President Medvedev

13.07.2011 — Press release EDA
On Wednesday, Federal President Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA met the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitri Medvedev, in the Russian city of Kolomna for talks. She was accompanied by Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann. The two presidents also used the occasion to jointly inaugurate the cement works of the Swiss company Holcim located in Kolomna.

Zweite Verhandlungsrunde Schweiz-EU zur Zusammenarbeit zwischen Wettbewerbsbehörden

13.07.2011 — Press release EDA
Zwischen den Delegationen der Schweiz und der EU hat am 12. Juli 2011 in Zürich eine zweite Verhandlungsrunde zu einem Abkommen über die Zusammenarbeit im Wettbewerbsbereich stattgefunden. Die angestrebte Zusammenarbeit soll auf beiden Seiten die Effizienz bei der Durchsetzung kartellrechtlicher Bestimmungen verbessern, dies insbesondere dank der Möglichkeit, zwischen Wettbewerbsbehörden vertrauliche Informationen auszutauschen.

2010 Annual Report on Switzerland’s International Cooperation

11.07.2011 — Press release EDA
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) published the joint Annual Report for 2010 on Switzerland’s international cooperation. It provides the most important results in relation to Switzerland’s commitment to combating poverty, and contributions to the reduction of global risks.

Switzerland to strengthen its presence in Benghazi

11.07.2011 — EDA
Switzerland strengthens its presence in Benghazi, and sends a diplomat to the East Libyan city for the purpose of opening a liaison office. This will be in addition to the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit programme office which has already been up and running for the last four months.

Switzerland recognises Southern Sudan

09.07.2011 — Press release EDA
Following consultation with the Foreign Affairs Committees of both chambers of the Federal Assembly, the Federal Council has decided to recognise Southern Sudan as an independent state. Switzerland will now undertake the formal steps necessary to establish diplomatic and consular relations. Switzerland has sent an official representative to attend the independence celebrations on 9 July 2011 in the Southern Sudanese capital of Juba.

The President of the Confederation to meet the Russian President

05.07.2011 — Press release EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, is to meet the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, on 13 July in the Russian city of Kolomna. She will be accompanied by Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann. The two Presidents will inaugurate the cement works of the Swiss company Holcim in Kolomna.

Entführung zweier Schweizer in Pakistan – Stellungnahme des EDA

02.07.2011 — Press release EDA

Peace promotion and human security: new framework credit

30.06.2011 — Press release EDA
In yesterday's meeting, the Federal Council decided that it wishes to further its measures to promote peace and human security. It has requested from Parliament a new framework credit of CHF 310 million over at least four years, starting in 2012. CHF 50 million are earmarked for a special North Africa and Middle East programme. This will enable Switzerland to continue - and where necessary to strengthen - its high-profile policy of peace promotion, human rights, and democracy as well as its migration policy.

Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey pays an official Visit to Bucharest

30.06.2011 — Press release EDA
Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey flew to Romania on Thursday, 30 June 2011, for a two-day official visit. Upon her arrival in Bucharest, she was welcomed by Romanian President Traian Basescu with military honours. Following this, she met with Prime Minister Emil Boc. Their discussions focused on bilateral relations, European policy, and international issues.

Swiss international cooperation celebrates its 50th anniversary in Ticino

27.06.2011 — Press release EDA
This year, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) celebrates its jubilee (1961-2011). To mark the occasion, it has decided to present its many activities to the public in several cities in Switzerland in the form of street actions. Following on from appearances in Geneva and Bern, the SDC street action will move to Bellinzona from 30 June to 2 July. The authorities of Ticino have been invited for the opening of the event, at which the head of the SDC’s Division for Cooperation with Eastern Europe, Kurt Kunz, will be present.

Swiss Confederation to set out its position in the court action against UBS in the USA

13.03.2009 — Press release EDA
In the civil action against UBS in the USA, the Federal Council is to instruct an American law firm to draft an amicus curiae brief explaining Switzerland’s legal position with a view to giving added emphasis to Switzerland’s sovereign interests.

Yearly consultations of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission in Bern

13.03.2009 — Press release EDA
Representatives of Switzerland, Sweden and Poland, Member States of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) in Korea, met in Bern on 13 March 2009 for their yearly consultations. Discussions focused on current tasks of the NNSC and recent developments on the Korean Peninsula. The NNSC Member States reasserted their long-term commitment to contribute to a permanent peace solution on the Korean Peninsula.

Attack in Sri Lanka

11.03.2009 — Press release EDA
The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has taken note with dismay and sadness of the news of the suicide attack yesterday near a mosque in Akuressa in the south of Sri Lanka, which caused the deaths of 15 people and wounded dozens more, including members of the government. Switzerland condemns in the strongest possible terms this terrorist attack and all such indiscriminate attacks directed against the civilian population of Sri Lanka. It expresses its deep condolences and solidarity with the Sri Lankan authorities and to the families and friends of the victims.

Vietnamese medals awarded to Eawag scientists

10.03.2009 — Press release EDA
Four Eawag scientists today received official medals from the Vietnamese government for their achievements in the areas of drinking water quality and sanitation. The medals were awarded in recognition of “outstanding contributions to education and training in Vietnam”. With financial support from the Swiss government, the scientists succeeded in strengthening capacity at two research centres in Northern Vietnam and improving the quality of local water supplies and wastewater management.

Banking secrecy remains intact - improved international cooperation in the case of tax offences

06.03.2009 — Press release EDA
At its meeting today the Federal Council noted that the protection of the privacy of bank customers (banking secrecy) from unwarranted state intervention remains intact. However, the Federal Council wishes to improve cooperation with other countries in the area of tax offences. In addition it is prepared to enter into dialogue with third countries on the taxation of savings income. The criticism directed towards Switzerland by various countries due to its banking secrecy was resolutely rejected by the Federal Council. In addition, the Federal Council today appointed a group of experts to provide support in an advisory capacity. The group will be chaired by Ambassador Manuel Sager.

The FDFA is worried by the expulsion of humanitarian actors from Darfur

05.03.2009 — Press release EDA
The FDFA deplores the fact that the Sudanese authorities have decided to expel humanitarian actors from Darfur in response to the decision of Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court, published on 4 March 2009, to issue an arrest warrant for the Sudanese president.

Interest sections for Georgia and Russia start work

04.03.2009 — Press release EDA
The interest sections of the Swiss representations in Moscow and Tbilisi will start work tomorrow Thursday 5 March 2009. As of that date, Switzerland will represent Georgia's interests in Russia and those of Russia in Georgia.

Extension of the final prolongation of the freezing of Mobutu

25.02.2009 — Press release EDA
On 12 December 2008, the Federal Council decided to prolong the freezing of the assets of the late president Mobutu and of his entourage (approx. CHF 7.7 million) to 28 February 2009. The purpose of this prolongation was to enable the lawyer of the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC) to initiate proceedings in Switzerland to block the assets and to enable the competent legal authority to decide how to deal with the case. A criminal complaint was filed with the Federal State Prosecutor by the RDC on 23 January 2009. As the examination of the case is a time-consuming task, the Federal Council considered it necessary to order a further extension to the final freezing, i.e. until 30 April 2009.

Visit by the director general of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) to Berne

24.02.2009 — Press release EDA
The director general of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Mr Francis Gurry was received in Bern today by a delegation of the FDFA and the Federal Institute of Intellectual Property. The discussions focused mainly on governance within the organisation, the strengthening of the global regime for the protection of intellectual property rights and questions concerning the host state.

2008 Statistics on the Swiss abroad

13.02.2009 — Press release EDA
After the record increase of 23,097 persons in 2007, the number of Swiss living abroad increased by only 8,069 persons in 2008. The total is now 676,176. The community of the Swiss abroad has increased by 114,620 (20.4 %) over the last 10 years.

The FDFA appeals to all the conflicting parties in Sri Lanka to respect humanitarian law.

05.02.2009 — Press release EDA
The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation prevailing in Sri Lanka. The disregard for humanitarian standards shown by combatants in the north of the country has resulted in many victims and seriously endangered some 200,000 civilians caught in the cross-fire. Following to this the FDFA makes an urgent call on all the parties to respect international humanitarian law and to stop the hostilities.

SDC Annual Media Conference: Switzerland is making its Contribution to the Mitigation of Global Crises

04.02.2009 — Press release EDA
At its Annual Media Conference in Bern, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) provided details on its priority activities. The year 2009 promises to be one of enormous challenges, all the more so as the consequences of the financial, the food, and the climate crises particularly affect the populations of developing and transition countries. Thanks to the continuation of its reliable cooperation with partner countries in the South and in the East, Switzerland is doing its share to contribute to the mitigation of global crises.

Munich Security Conference: Didier Burkhalter rates OSCE as a major actor for rebuilding trust in Europe

18.02.2017 — EDA
At the Munich Security Conference last Saturday, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter expressed the view that the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) now more than ever had a key role to play in strengthening security in Europe. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) called on members of the OSCE to advance common action to reduce uncertainty and rebuild trust through a structured dialogue within the framework of the OSCE.

Welcome address by Didier Burkhalter marking the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers

12.02.2017 — Article DEZA

The premiere of ‘Loin des armes’, a documentary about an initiative to reintegrate child soldiers and improve their future prospects, will be screened on Sunday 12 February 2017 at the Montreux Palace Hotel.

Remembrance as a bridge

27.01.2017 — EDA
Message from the President of the Swiss Confederation Doris Leuthard to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day on 27 January 2017

Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter to attend the 2017 WEF Annual Meeting

17.01.2017 — Article EDA

Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will attend the 2017 WEF Annual Meeting in Davos from 17 to 18 January 2017.

Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter attends 2017 New Year reception

11.01.2017 — Article EDA

The New Year's reception of President of the Swiss Confederation Doris Leuthard will take place in Bern on Wednesday, 11 January 2017.

The Gotthard tunnel and migration policy dominated media coverage of Switzerland in 2016

20.12.2016 — EDA
The opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel, which was attended by all the heads of state of Switzerland’s neighbouring countries, drew considerable media attention abroad. International media coverage of Switzerland focused on topics that also attracted attention in other European countries: migration and Islam. Two popular votes also drew international media coverage about Switzerland: The ‘Implementation initiative’ and the ‘unconditional basic income initiative’. In 2016, a year marked by great international upheaval, Switzerland’s economic and political stability were presented in a positive light by the foreign press.

Switzerland ratifies Croatia protocol

16.12.2016 — EDA
Switzerland has ratified the protocol extending the free movement of persons to Croatia. On 17 June this year, the Federal Assembly authorised the Federal Council to ratify Protocol III extending the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP) to Croatia, subject to a specific condition. After Parliament passed the act implementing Article 121a of the Federal Constitution, the Federal Council concluded that this condition had been fulfilled. At its meeting on 16 December 2016, it therefore authorised the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), in cooperation with the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP), to confirm the ratification of Protocol III to the EU. This also means the precondition has been met for Switzerland to participate fully in the Horizon 2020 research programme.

Switzerland calls for a redoubling of efforts to aid the victims of the humanitarian crisis in Syria

14.12.2016 — EDA
Switzerland has issued another humanitarian appeal to tackle the Syrian crisis. The FDFA calls on all parties to the Syrian conflict to fulfil their obligations with respect to human rights and international humanitarian law and to protect the civilian population caught up in the fighting. Immediate and unhampered access for humanitarian relief to the civilian population in all besieged and difficult-to-access areas is also imperative. The situation in Aleppo is catastrophic and particularly worrying in light of allegations of extrajudicial executions and forced disappearances.

Switzerland's new consuls general

13.12.2016 — EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs announces the following appointments:

The Directorate of International Law briefs the public on the blocking and restitution of stolen assets

12.12.2016 — EDA
On 12 December 2016, the Directorate of International Law held its annual one-day event for the public at the Bern Rathaus. This year’s topic was the “Restitution of stolen assets”, and the discussion addressed both the process for recovering illicitly acquired assets and Swiss and international experience in this area. The guest speakers included political and legal experts, development professionals and representatives of the banking sector and civil society. They provided attendees with a step-by-step review of the process, from blocking assets to their restitution.

Video on Switzerland's human rights strategy

09.12.2016 — Article EDA

A short film on the FDFA Human Rights Strategy 2016–19 is now available, providing a 10-minute long overview of Switzerland's efforts to promote respect for human rights.

Election of International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission members

09.12.2016 — EDA
Switzerland chaired the 6th diplomatic meeting of states accepting the competence of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission (IHFFC) yesterday. As the depositary state of the Geneva Conventions, it had invited the 76 states in question to Bern. The 68 states attended elected the institution’s 15 members for a five-year term, including one from Switzerland, Ms Laurence Boillat, currently a prosecutor in the canton of Vaud.