Press release

Switzerland helps thousands of flood victims in Pakistan

10.08.2010 — Press release EDA
The situation in Pakistan remains desperate. Switzerland is helping the flood victims by supplying materials and making contributions to international organisations.

Switzerland is helping Russia to fight the fires

10.08.2010 — Press release EDA
There is no sign of an early end to the fires ravaging Russia. Given the continuing dry weather, a worsening of the situation is likely. Switzerland is supporting Russia in its attempts to combat the fires.

Federal councillor Calmy-Rey appointed to the Global Sustainability Panel by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

09.08.2010 — Press release EDA
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has established a special panel for global sustainability. Its task will be to devise new approaches for the solution of global problems in the area of environment and development. The panel will consist of over 20 high ranking personalities. At the request of the Secretary General, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will be a member of this panel.

Help for flood victims in Pakistan

05.08.2010 — Press release EDA
The situation in the flooded regions of Pakistan is increasingly serious. The FDFA has started immediate emergency measures and is considering providing additional aid. A Swiss mission is now assessing the needs on the spot.

First-of-August celebrations with positive stock-taking of the first half of the Swiss Pavilion’s exhibition time in Shanghai

01.08.2010 — Press release EDA
Today, the Swiss Pavilion, which is organised by Presence Switzerland within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), and the Swiss Club Shanghai together celebrated the First of August at the World Exhibition. With the first half of Switzerland’s presence in Shanghai now behind us, the FDFA takes a positive view of it.

Official visit by the President of the Republic of Macedonia

26.07.2010 — Press release EDA
On 26 July, President Doris Leuthard, accompanied by Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, will receive the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Gjorge Ivanov, accompanied by Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki. The official meetings will take place at the Lohn country residence and be followed by a lunch hosted by the President of the Swiss Confederation.

Federal Council in favour of Kazakhstan joining the Swiss constituency in the IMF/World Bank

21.07.2010 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council is in favour of Kazakhstan being included the Swiss constituency in the IMF and World Bank. It has responded favourably to an expression of interest by Kazakhstan.

Switzerland hands over to Germany documents on GDR assets

15.07.2010 — Press release EDA
The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) yesterday handed to the German Embassy in Bern a series of bank documents that could shed light on the existence of possible misappropriated assets of parties and people’s organisations from former East Germany. The Federal Council made the decision to transfer the documents to Germany at its meeting on 30 June 2010. Germany had previously asked Switzerland for the documents in order to obtain further information about illegal financial movements before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The accounts that were found had been closed several years ago. At the time of closure, they did not hold any assets.

Federal Councillor Calmy-Rey attends OSCE meeting of ministers in Kazakhstan

15.07.2010 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey is to attend the ministerial meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe being held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on 16-17 July 2010. Foreign ministers and other high-ranking representatives of the 56 OSCE States will meet to discuss security in Europe and the role of the OSCE in European security policy.

2009 Annual Report on Switzerland’s international cooperation: Development cooperation is effective

13.07.2010 — Press release EDA
In the last five years 370'000 people have gained access to drinking water as a result of Swiss support. In Tanzania, where Switzerland is strongly committed in the health-care sector, child mortality has fallen by 40% in the last ten years. These and other results are presented in the Annual Report on Switzerland’s International Cooperation. In 2009, Switzerland channelled 0.47% of its gross national income to Official development assistance, placing it in the mid-range of OECD donor countries.

Against the death penalty for minors in Iran

06.07.2010 — Press release EDA
Switzerland is opposed to the execution of minors in Iran. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has asked the Iranian authorities to repeal a death sentence due to be carried out tomorrow, Wednesday.

Switzerland and Japan sign a Memorandum for intensified cooperation and a bilateral political dialogue

05.07.2010 — Press release EDA
Today, July 5 2010, the State Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Peter Maurer, and the Ambassador of Japan to Switzerland, Ichiro Komatsu, have signed a Memorandum on establishing a framework for intensified cooperation between the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

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

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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

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

— Press release EDA

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

— Press release EDA

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

— Press release EDA

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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.