Press release

Official visit by the Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey in Azerbaijan

11.03.2011 — Press release EDA
Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, will be making an official visit to Azerbaijan from 13 to 15 March 2011.

Switzerland ready to send aid to Japan

11.03.2011 — EDA
It is with great consternation that the Federal Council has learned of the natural disaster in the northeast of Japan. Switzerland is ready to send emergency aid to the area, and has already submitted a corresponding offer to the Japanese government.

Human rights dialogue between Switzerland and China

10.03.2011 — Press release EDA
The eleventh round of the human rights dialogue between Switzerland and the People's Republic of China was held on 9 and 10 March 2011 in Bern in an open and constructive atmosphere. Particular emphasis was given to the status of minorities. The discussions also focused on various cooperation projects, for example in the area of the administration of punishments and on the dimension of human rights in the economy.

More than aid: for fifty years Switzerland has committed itself to fighting poverty

08.03.2011 — Press release EDA
The world is in upheaval. By fighting poverty, committing itself to improved health care, education and an approach to natural resources bases on sustainability, Switzerland's development cooperation promotes positive change – and has done so for fifty years. The Swiss Agency for Cooperation and Development is marking the occasion of its 50th birthday by staging a number of events throughout to provide insight into its work and the challenges currently facing Swiss development cooperation. On Wednesday, SDC Director-General Martin Dahinden took stock of the situation before the media and presented the anniversary program.

Official visit by Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze to Micheline Calmy-Rey, President of the Swiss Confederation

07.03.2011 — Press release EDA
Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey today received the Foreign Minister of Georgia Grigol Vashadze in Bern for an official visit. The talks focused on bilateral topics, Switzerland's protecting power mandate between Georgia and Russia, and international and multilateral issues.

New Executive Director for Switzerland at the World Bank Group (last modification, the 03.03.2011)

03.03.2011 — Press release EDA
On 16 February 2011, the Federal Council appointed Jörg Frieden, President Micheline Calmy-Rey’s Advisor in the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, to be the new executive director for Switzerland at the World Bank Group in Washington. At the same time, the Federal Council conferred the title of ambassador on Mr. Frieden.

FDFA deplores the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti

02.03.2011 — Press release EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) deplores the assassination of the Pakistani Minorities Minister, Shahbaz Bhatti, and is calling on the Pakistani authorities to investigate this crime and bring those responsible to justice.

Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey opens 16th session of the Human Rights Council

01.03.2011 — Press release EDA
Acting in her capacity as representative of host country Switzerland, the President of the Swiss Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey opened the 16th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday. In her opening speech, she condemned the appalling use of violence against demonstrators in North Africa and the Middle East and stressed the fundamental importance of human rights: “True stability and sustainable development are only possible in societies where the authorities respect the fundamental rights of their people,” she stated.

Support for the mental health system in Bosnia and Herzegovina: SDC and four cantons sign an agreement

25.02.2011 — Press release EDA
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the cantons of Bern, Fribourg, Geneva and Jura have agreed to work together to help strengthen the mental health system in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The agreement they have signed calls for joint financial and technical support to improve access to services in this field and their quality. The new agreement is an extension of cooperation that has existed between the cantons and the SDC for a period of several years, notably in Eastern Europe. It also marks a “first” since four cantons are associated with the Confederation in this cooperative venture.

FDFA condemns violence in Libya

21.02.2011 — Press release EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA condemns the targeted violence used by the Libyan authorities against the demonstrators.

Report “The Blue Peace: Rethinking Middle East Water” (last modification, the 18.02.2011)

18.02.2011 — Press release EDA
On Thursday, 10 February 2011, Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey presented the report “The Blue Peace: Rethinking Middle East Water” to the Swiss Press Club in Geneva. Supported by Switzerland and by the Swedish government, the report compiles a list of 10 recommendations whose objective is to contribute to building peace and to reducing the conflicts in the Middle East thanks to a sustainable trans-border management of water in the region.

Migration: Special Ambassador Eduard Gnesa meets UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

18.02.2011 — Press release EDA
Eduard Gnesa, Special Ambassador for International Cooperation on Migration Issues, met UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday to present the concept for Switzerland's 2011 presidency of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD).

Memorandum of Understanding between Canada and Switzerland concerning Advance Passenger Information

17.03.2006 — Press release EDA
Text of the MoU attached as pdf file

Investigation Report on the Überlingen aircraft accident - Federal Council accepts errors were made and expresses apologies

19.05.2004 — Press release EDA
The circumstances that led to the collision of two aircraft in the airspace over Überlingen (Ger.) on 1 July 2002 have been clarified. Errors that brought about the disaster and the deaths of 71 people were also made in Switzerland. In a letter to the President of the Russian Federation on behalf of the Federal Council, President Joseph Deiss has offered his sincerest apologies. The accident led to an immediate and thorough examination of the Swiss air traffic control system. The reorganisation of safety management in air transport already underway will be continued to its logical conclusion.

Personal Envoy Guldimann says situation in Crimea calm but very tense

— Press release EDA

Press release

Upcoming Transdniestrian talks would send a positive signal about potential for decreasing tensions, says OSCE Special Representative Bogojević

— Press release EDA

Press release

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minsk Group Co-Chairs deeply concerned about developments at Line of Contact, call for immediate action to defuse tensions

— Press release EDA

Press release

Upcoming Transdniestrian talks would send a positive signal about potential for decreasing tensions, says OSCE Special Representative Bogojević

— Press release EDA

Press release

OSCE Chair welcomes commitment to addressing issue of missing persons in the Western Balkans

— Press release EDA

Press release

Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected by all sides and at all times, says Chair

— Press release EDA

Press release

OSCE Chair in Office and Secretary General at NATO to present the Organization’s contribution to co-operative security response regarding Ukraine

— Press release EDA

Press release

Official opening of the Ceneri Base Tunnel

04.09.2020 — EDA
Camorino, 04.09.2020 - Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the Inauguration Ceremony "Ceneri2020" - Check against delivery

Passaggio di testimone tra generazioni (de-fr-it)

25.08.2020 — EDA
Bern, 25.08.2020: Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the retirement of the ambassadors and the welcoming of the young diplomats who are taking up their posts in the service of the FDFA. Check against delivery.

75 years of the United Nations (fr)

26.06.2020 — EDA
Geneva, 26.06.2020: Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the 75th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter - Check against delivery

Opening of the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council (fr)

24.02.2020 — EDA
Geneva, 24.02.2020 - Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis - Check against delivery

SDC Newsletter: Africa, CO2 reduction and WEF

29.01.2020 — DEZA
The FDFA has showcased some innovative technology at the 50th WEF, which could reduce global CO2 emissions by millions of tonnes per year. The SDC undertakes a range of projects in the construction industry, working in cooperation with academia and the private sector. The aim of these projects, which are located in emerging economies, is to tackle global warming effectively.

Discover the world with the FDFA and with peace mind

17.01.2020 — Article EDA
Just what is the perfect trip abroad? And where would it take you? Swiss travellers have different needs and expectations – some prefer to go on their own, others would rather choose an organised tour. It doesn't matter if you're a backpacker or a jet-setter: the FDFA provides a wide range of services for anyone who wants to travel abroad.

Honeyland Oscar nominee

14.01.2020 — Article DEZA
Honeyland has been nominated for an Oscar in the categories Best International Feature Film and Best Documentary.  The film’s hero, Hatidze Muratova, champions environmental protection and the sustainable management of natural resources. She was discovered through the Nature Conservation Programme launched by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Switzerland and Italy reach an agreement on Campione d'Italia

20.12.2019 — EDA
At its meeting on 20 December 2019, the Federal Council approved an exchange of notes between Switzerland and Italy regarding the change of the customs status of the Italian enclave of Campione d'Italia. This exchange of notes is necessary to ensure legal certainty and facilitates the transition of Campione d'Italia into the European Union's customs territory, scheduled for 1 January 2020.

Third meeting of the Working Group on Unresolved Issues established by the Joint Committee supervising the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation

19.12.2019 — EDA
On 16 and 17 December 2019 a third meeting of the Working Group on Unresolved Issues established by the Joint Committee, supervising the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation on the basic principles for a mechanism of customs administration and monitoring of trade in goods, signed on 9 November 2011, took place in Bern.

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.

National human rights institution to be established in Switzerland

13.12.2019 — EDA
On 13 December 2019, the Federal Council approved the proposal to establish a national human rights institution (NHRI). The Federal Council has thereby strengthened its constitutionally enshrined commitment to human rights. With the model of a public corporation, it takes into account the results of the consultation procedure. The NHRI will be independent, include members from across society and receive an annual financial support from the Confederation.

Federal Council extends freeze on assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine

13.12.2019 — EDA
On 13 December 2019, the Federal Council decided to extend for one year the preventive freeze on the assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine. The purpose of this decision is to support the judicial cooperation between Switzerland and these two states.