Press release

Ordinance on Private Household Employees working for members of foreign representations

09.06.2011 — Press release EDA
On 6 June 2011 Federal Council adopted the Private Household Employees Ordinance (PHEO). This Ordinance governs the conditions of entry to Switzerland, of stay and work for the private household employees of individual beneficiaries of privileges, immunities and facilities in Switzerland. It enters into force on 1 July 2011.

Libya compensation payment returns to Switzerland

08.06.2011 — Press release EDA
A total of CHF 1.5 million which Switzerland had to pay in 2010 as compensation to Libya has now been refunded.

Swiss delegation at a high-level UN meeting on HIV/AIDS

07.06.2011 — Press release EDA
On 8 to 10 June 2011, Switzerland will send an interdepartmental delegation to take part in a high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly on HIV/AIDS in New York. The delegation, which will be headed by the Director-General of the SDC, Martin Dahinden, will present the argument for a greater effort to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS and the marginalisation and stigmatisation of those living with the disease.

The Federal Council decides to ratify the Convention on Cluster Munitions

06.06.2011 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council has decided today to ratify the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), which imposes a comprehensive ban on cluster munitions. The ratification of the Convention goes hand in hand with a revision of the military material act. Swiss stocks of artillery munitions that are subject to the CCM ban will be destroyed.

President Micheline Calmy-Rey meets Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi

01.06.2011 — Press release EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, met Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in Rome on Wednesday. Discussions covered bilateral issues, in particular taxation, and international current affairs.

Official visit to Italy by the President of the Confederation

30.05.2011 — Press release EDA
The President of the Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, will make an official visit to Italy on 1-2 June 2011. On 1 June, she will meet the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi.

Official visit to Georgia by President of the Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey

27.05.2011 — Press release EDA
President of the Swiss Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will pay an official visit to Georgia on 29 and 30 May 2011.

Strengthening of Switzerland’s Human Rights Policy

23.05.2011 — Press release EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA is expanding the scope of its current policy on Human Rights. In the future, Human Rights issues are no longer to be the object of isolated discussions conducted according to strict guidelines with selected partners, but are rather to become an inherent part of all the political consultations Switzerland engages in, whether they be on bilateral or multilateral level.

The SDC celebrates its first 50 years on the Bundesplatz

20.05.2011 — Press release EDA
On 25 May 2011, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, joined by the Director-General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) on the Bundesplatz in Bern to inaugurate a number of public open-air events illustrating Switzerland’s work in the area of cooperation and humanitarian assistance. In celebration of its Jubilee (1961-2011), the SDC has decided to present its many activities to the public in several Swiss cities. After Geneva in April, the SDC’s street actions moves on to Bern, 25-27 May 2011.

Working meeting between President of the Swiss Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey and German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle

19.05.2011 — Press release EDA
On Thursday, 19 May, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, received German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle for a working meeting in Bern. Both sides praised the intensive relations between Switzerland and Germany.

Advisory Group on Environmental Emergencies meets in Bern

19.05.2011 — Press release EDA
The Swiss Delegate for Humanitarian Aid, Ambassador Toni Frisch, chairs the 18-19 May sessions of the 9th Meeting of the Advisory Group on Environmental Emergencies (AGEE), which is being held in Bern. The AGEE seeks to improve efforts made to prevent, prepare for and overcome environmental emergencies.

State Visit of the King and Queen of Spain to Switzerland

12.05.2011 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council received King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía of Spain on a state visit to Switzerland. After their arrival in Switzerland in the presence of the President of the Swiss Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey, a special train took the royal couple to Bern for military honours, official speeches in the Parliament and bilateral talks between the Swiss and Spanish delegations. Friday, the second day of the state visit, will be marked by a meeting with members of the Swiss business community in Bern and a cultural programme in the Canton of Vaud.

Near East conflict: Switzerland intensifies its aid (last modification, the 05.01.2009)

05.01.2009 — Press release EDA
The FDFA calls for an immediate end to the acts of violence which are intensifying the suffering of the civil population. The Humanitarian Aid of the Confederation is ready to reinforce its support to partner organisations operating in the Gaza Strip, notably UNRWA and the ICRC.

Middle East Conflict: Switzerland reiterates call for immediate cease-fire

04.01.2009 — Press release EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs deplores the escalation of violence in Gaza. It has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. In order to relieve the suffering of the civilian population and to guarantee humanitarian access, it has requested a durable reopening of crossings into Gaza.

Project `Safir' taking effect: Aviation safety management has improved

22.01.2007 — Press release EDA
Switzerland has made significant progress in the field of aviation safety management. That is the finding of the Dutch aviation research institute NLR in a study published today. At the end of 2006, the NLR was commissioned by Federal Councillor Moritz Leuenberger to examine whether and how well the 28 recommendations it made in 2003 to improve safety had been implemented. The NLR confirms that the measures put in place were correct and have been effective. There is still a need for further action in certain areas.

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

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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

UN Special Rapporteur on the right to development visits Switzerland

02.10.2019 — EDA
The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to development visited Switzerland from 23 September to 2 October 2019. The purpose of this official country visit was to meet representatives from the Federal Administration, cantons and NGOs and learn about Switzerland's implementation of the right to development.

Second 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

30.09.2019 — EDA
On 26 and 27 September 2019 a second 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.

Switzerland tables new Human Rights Council resolution for the abolition of the death penalty

27.09.2019 — EDA
The death penalty should not be applied any longer in the 21st century among others for drug or terrorism-related crimes. This is the objective of a resolution tabled by Switzerland together with seven other countries at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. During the Council's 42nd session, which ended on Friday 27 September, Switzerland also contributed to a resolution aimed at strengthening transitional justice.

Switzerland facilitates a meeting between Georgia and the Russian Federation

26.09.2019 — EDA
As part of its Good Offices, Switzerland has initiated and facilitated a meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Georgia, H.E. David Zalkaliani, and the Russian Federation, H.E. Sergey Lavrov.

WEF Sustainable Development Impact Summit 2019: Closing Plenary Session: “Mobilizing Action for Inclusive Societies”

24.09.2019 — EDA
New York, 24.09.2019 - Speech by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at the 74th UN General Assembly - Check against delivery

President Maurer calls on international community to follow global "compasses" and actively tackle future digital challenges

24.09.2019 — EDA
During the United Nations (UN) ministerial week, President Ueli Maurer described the UN Charter and the Geneva Conventions as "compasses of values" that are ever increasing in importance in a time of great uncertainty. The international community has the duty to protect the rights of every country and every person. The digital transformation and, in particular, data protection as part of human rights were also a focal point of his speech to the UN General Assembly.

UN General Assembly: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis calls for a peaceful solution to the Syrian conflict and climate change mitigation

24.09.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor and head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis has set several priorities as Switzerland celebrates 100 years of multilateralism this year. Last week, he signed a joint declaration with the Canton and City of Geneva reaffirming their commitment to International Geneva's role as a centre of global governance. At the high-level week of the UN General Assembly in New York, Mr Cassis has now called on the international community to strengthen human rights, adding that this will require innovative approaches. During his stay in New York, Mr Cassis will also speak about UN reforms and climate change mitigation, hold bilateral talks, and meet staff of the Swiss mission to the UN and the Swiss consulate general in the city.

EU-hosted high-level meeting on the Syrian crisis

24.09.2019 — EDA
New York, 24.09.2019 - Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at the 74th UN General Assembly - Check against delivery

Opening Ceremony for the new Consulate General in Chicago

23.09.2019 — EDA
Chicago, 23.09.2019 – Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis - Check against delivery

Innovation, investment, Swiss community: Ignazio Cassis opens consulate general in Chicago

23.09.2019 — EDA
Switzerland is once again represented in the Midwest, a major economic region of the United States, with a consulate general. At the opening ceremony in Chicago, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis highlighted the potential for increasing cooperation in various areas such as innovation. The reopening of the Chicago representation by the FDFA comes in response to a parliamentary request. The consulate general will increase the support available to Swiss companies in the Chicago metropolitan area and it serves as a further example of strengthened Swiss-US ties.

Carefree travel with the FDFA's new Travel Admin app

21.09.2019 — EDA
On 21 September, the FDFA launched its new Travel Admin app for Swiss nationals travelling or living abroad. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis took part in the app's official launch in Zurich Airport's main departure terminal and tried it out himself before boarding a flight to the United States. The app is designed to help Swiss citizens plan their stays abroad and to enable the authorities to reach them in the event of a crisis or disaster.

Switzerland and Slovenia stress strong ties and dynamic exchanges

19.09.2019 — EDA
Slovenian President Borut Pahor paid an official visit to Switzerland on Thursday, 19 September. President Ueli Maurer and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received the Slovenian delegation at the Lohn country residence. Both sides stressed the strong ties between the two countries and the dynamic state of relations.