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Sudan: Referendum as a milestone on the road to lasting peace

07.02.2011 — Press release EDA
According to the official result of the secession referendum, an overwhelming majority of the electorate of South Sudan voted in favour of separation from the north of the country. Switzerland expressed its satisfaction with the relatively smooth, peaceful and orderly progress of the referendum. “This represents significant political progress on the road to lasting peace,” said Federal President Micheline Calmy-Rey.

Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey to participate at the Munich Security Conference

04.02.2011 — Press release EDA
Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey will participate once again this year at the Munich Security Conference. This 47th edition of the Conference, scheduled to be held from 4 to 6 February 2011 in Munich, will once again bring together participants from around the world, providing them with a forum for debate on security challenges. The Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) will take advantage of her participation at this year’s conference in Munich to hold talks with heads of state and government, as well as with other high-ranking personalities.

Amendment to the Annex to the Ordinance on Measures Against Certain Individuals from Tunisia

04.02.2011 — Press release EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has amended the Annex to the Ordinance on Measures Against Certain Individuals from Tunisia. Through its rapid precautionary freeze of funds, the Federal Council intends to facilitate legal assistance with the Tunisian authorities in view of the possible initiation of criminal procedures. Switzerland has in the meantime received an application for legal assistance from Tunisia. The information on individuals affected by the Swiss measures could therefore be amended to reflect the criminal procedures that have been, or can be expected to be initiated in Tunisia. The amendments enter into force today.

President of the Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey visited the Hungarian EU presidency in Budapest

03.02.2011 — Press release EDA
"Switzerland and Hungary enjoy excellent bilateral relations and are a successful example of authentic European relations", said President of the Confederation and Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey at the end of her state visit to the Hungarian EU presidency in Budapest.

Switzerland’s participation at Expo Milano 2015 symbolised with an apple tree

03.02.2011 — Press release EDA
Switzerland is the first country to confirm its participation at Expo Milano 2015. Today, the official celebrations took place in the Centro Svizzero in Milan. As a gift, the Swiss delegation presented the Mayor of Milan, Letizia Moratti, with an apple tree of the latest Swiss eco-variety, Galiwa.

Duvalier assets to be forfeited on the basis of new Restitution Act

02.02.2011 — Press release EDA
The new Federal Act on the Restitution of Assets of Politically Exposed Persons obtained by Unlawful Means (RIAA) came into force on 1 February 2011. Today the Federal Council decided to ask the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) to initiate proceedings for the forfeiture of the Duvalier funds frozen in Switzerland. The Federal Administrative Court (FAC) will be in charge of these proceedings.

Two new SDC vice-directors appointed

02.02.2011 — Press release EDA
The management team of the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation, within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, is again complete: Maya Tissafi has been appointed vice-director and Head of South Cooperation Department; she will take up her new responsibilities on 1 March 2011. The new Head of Global Cooperation and vice-director is Michel Mordasini, who will begin work in his new function on 1 May 2011.

Switzerland’s image abroad remains stable

01.02.2011 — Press release EDA
Switzerland is ranked eighth on the 2010 Nation Brands Index (NBI), and thus once again figures among the leading countries of the world in terms of image. In view of the fact that Switzerland was often in the international spotlight during that year, this may be regarded as an excellent result. However, its image suffered a slight setback in the “Population” category, and in particular in Turkey and in Egypt. As has been the case in previous years, Switzerland continues to enjoy a better rating from countries overseas than from European nations. Once again, Germany is the main exception here.

Restitution of Illicit Assets Act (RIAA)

01.02.2011 — Press release EDA
The Federal Act on the Restitution of Assets of Politically Exposed Persons obtained by Unlawful Means (RIAA) came into force on 1 February 2011. It governs the freezing, forfeiture and restitution of the assets of politically exposed persons (PEPs) in cases where a request for mutual assistance cannot succeed in the requesting state due to the failure of its judicial system. This new law confirms Switzerland’s position of international leadership when it comes to the restitution of assets of illicit origin.

Federal President Micheline Calmy-Rey pays state visit to EU-President Hungary

31.01.2011 — Press release EDA
Federal President Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department for Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will be in Hungary for a state visit from 2 to 3 February 2011. Hungary currently holds the EU presidency.

Update of Annex to the Ordinance on Measures Against Certain Individuals from Tunisia

28.01.2011 — Press release EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has added the names of six natural persons to the Annex to the Ordinance on Measures Against Certain Individuals from Tunisia. The name of one individual has been deleted, and one entry has been reworded. The changes enter into effect today.

The President of the Confederation gives a positive assessment of her participation at the 2011 World Economic Forum

28.01.2011 — Press release EDA
Micheline Calmy-Rey, President of the Swiss Confederation and head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), made use of her attendance at this year's World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos to hold talks with numerous heads of state and of government, and other high-level officials. In her positive assessment of her visit, Federal President Calmy-Rey said: “The 2011 WEF was a good opportunity to discuss bilateral issues with some of Switzerland’s major partners, as well as to participate in talks on global sustainability.”

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Rules on private security services abroad harmonised

11.11.2020 — Press release EDA
Common terminology, a new consultation mechanism, and clear areas of responsibility: at its meeting of 11 November 2020, the Federal Council amended the Ordinance to the Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad.

Switzerland–China: political dialogue to strengthen sustainable relations

09.11.2020 — Press release EDA
State Secretary Krystyna Marty met with China's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Qin Gang for political dialogue on Monday 9 November 2020. The meeting took place by videoconference, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the current epidemiological situation, the talks focused on economic relations between the two countries and the human rights situation in China. The discussions illustrate the continuity of the good relations between Switzerland and China.

Switzerland is demanding more protection of medical activities in armed conflicts

05.11.2020 — Press release EDA
The current COVID 19 pandemic underlines the importance of medical assistance – even during armed conflicts. Protecting medical activities is hereby essential. International humanitarian law (IHL) is the backbone of this protection. More must be done to improve its implementation. From 2 to 5 November 2020, Switzerland organised a virtual meeting of government experts on the protection of medical activities in armed conflicts. With more than 280 participants from around 100 countries, the meeting enabled the States represented to identify and exchange good practices. States can now draw on them to advance the implementation of IHL at national level.

Federal Council opens consultation process on 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy

04.11.2020 — Press release EDA
With its 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy, the Federal Council is setting out how it intends to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development over the next ten years. At its meeting on 4 November, the Federal Council approved the strategy for consultation.

Promotion of International Geneva and digital self-determination – Federal Council sets out Digital Foreign Policy Strategy 2021–2024

04.11.2020 — Press release EDA
At its meeting on 4 November 2020, the Federal Council approved Switzerland's Digital Foreign Policy Strategy 2021–2024. The strategy outlines how the Federal Council intends to safeguard and promote Swiss interests and values in the digital space over the next four years. Focus areas include the strengthening of international governance and cooperation forums, digital self-determination for individual users, international law and the use of digitalisation to improve international cooperation. International Geneva has an important role to play in this respect, and the Federal Council aims to strengthen that role still further.

Ministerial session of the Council of Europe: Ignazio Cassis stresses the importance of close cooperation between states

04.11.2020 — Press release EDA
"In these unusual times, close cooperation between our states is the only adequate response to the difficulties we are currently facing," stated Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at the 130th session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CoE). Under Greece's chairmanship, the foreign ministers at the session adopted the 'Athens Declaration', reaffirming their existing commitments to respond effectively to public health crises while respecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law – the CoE's founding values. Key representatives also met to celebrate 70 years of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Switzerland’s candidacy for the UN Security Council enters final phase

30.10.2020 — Press release EDA
Switzerland is a candidate for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. Elections for the 2023–24 period will be held in June 2022. The candidacy entered its final phase with a virtual event in New York attended by the president of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis.

COVID-19 and multilateralism: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis talks to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay

28.10.2020 — Press release EDA
On 28 October 2020, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis spoke by telephone with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay in Paris. The respective heads of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization discussed the impact of the pandemic crisis on multilateralism and UNESCO's strategic preparations in response to global challenges.

2030 Agenda - World Data Forum: strong international cooperation for quality data

22.10.2020 — Press release EDA
The United Nations World Data Forum took place from 19 to 21 October 2020 in digital format due to COVID-19. The event brought together several thousand experts to find innovative solutions in order to meet the need for better quality data to implement the 2030 Agenda and to control the pandemic.

Election of Daniel Fink to UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture

22.10.2020 — Press release EDA
Switzerland welcomes Daniel Fink's election on 22 October 2020 to the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) following Switzerland's submission of his candidature for a new term of office.

Switzerland at G20 Anti-Corruption Ministers Meeting

22.10.2020 — Press release EDA
On 22 October 2020, Switzerland took part in a virtual G20 ministerial-level meeting on combating corruption. The ministers called for transparency and accountability in view of the sharp rise in government spending to cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nagorno Karabakh: FDFA calls for an end to violence and supports ICRC humanitarian operations

20.10.2020 — Press release EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has allocated CHF 1 million for the humanitarian operations of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The FDFA also calls for an immediate stop to the violence in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Attacks on the civilian population and civilian objects must cease. The parties to the conflict are called upon to comply with international humanitarian law.

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The Confederation and the Canton and City of Geneva pay tribute to 100 years of multilateralism and the city's role as a centre for global governance

16.09.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis, President of the Geneva State Council Antonio Hodgers and Administrative Councillor of the City of Geneva Sami Kanaan have signed a joint declaration underscoring the key role played by International Geneva in addressing future challenges. The joint declaration pays tribute to 100 years of multilateralism and reaffirms the commitment of the Swiss government and the Canton and City of Geneva to International Geneva's role as a centre of global governance. The signing ceremony was followed by the presentation of a volume of key Swiss diplomatic documents going back to the establishment of the League of Nations a century ago.

Centenaire du multilatéralisme (fr)

16.09.2019 — EDA
Geneva, 16.09.2019 – Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis - Check against delivery

Swiss Humanitarian Aid: Swiss experts deployed to the Bahamas

13.09.2019 — EDA
Switzerland is extending its humanitarian aid to the Bahamas. Around 70,000 people in the Caribbean island nation are now dependent on aid in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, which caused extensive damage and many deaths at the start of September. Five experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) were deployed to the affected area on 13 September. Relief supplies in the form of a drinking water system arrived in the Bahamas the day before.

Combating hunger: Switzerland makes renewed contribution to CGIAR

13.09.2019 — EDA
Climate change, land degradation and water scarcity increasingly affect agricultural production and food supply. Around 820 million people around the world suffer from hunger and malnutrition. The Federal Council decided at its meeting on 13 September 2019 to contribute CHF 33.1 million for the period 2020–21 to the CGIAR, previously known as the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. Through this contribution, as well as through its strong scientific expertise and the work of its universities, Switzerland is playing its part in efforts to find innovative solutions for high-quality food and sustainable natural resource management.

Human rights, UN reforms and science diplomacy: Switzerland's priorities for the 74th UN General Assembly

13.09.2019 — EDA
Switzerland adopted its priorities for the 74th UN General Assembly. The Federal Council was informed, at its meeting on 13 September 2019, of the result of the consultations with the Foreign Affairs Committees. The priorities concern the protection of human rights, support for the UN reform processes, and the promotion of science diplomacy. Switzerland will be represented at the high-level opening of the UN General Assembly at the end of September by President of the Confederation Ueli Maurer and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis.

Federal Council welcomes Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on state visit

13.09.2019 — EDA
On the afternoon of Friday, 13 September, the Federal Council, led by President Ueli Maurer, welcomed Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and his wife, Savita Kovind, to Bern with military honours to mark the state visit to Switzerland. During the official talks that followed, discussions focused on bilateral relations, in particular the opportunities presented by a free trade agreement, and cooperation on environmental matters. Further topics addressed included global issues and India’s regional situation.

Brücken bauen für den Frieden (de/fr/it)

12.09.2019 — EDA
Bern, 12.09.2019 - Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the Federal Day of Thanksgiving, Repentance and Prayer - Check against delivery

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets Graubünden cantonal government as part of dialogue with Italian-speaking Switzerland

09.09.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received the Graubünden cantonal government for talks in Bern on 9 September 2019. The meeting, which focused on the institutional agreement with the European Union (EU) and the promotion of Switzerland's minority languages, was part of ongoing efforts by Mr Cassis to engage in structured political dialogue with the cantonal governments of Graubünden and Ticino.

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind to pay state visit to Switzerland

06.09.2019 — EDA
Bilateral relations between Switzerland and India are close and have long been characterised by high mutual esteem. The state visit by President Ram Nath Kovind to Switzerland this year continues the series of regular contacts between the two countries. The Federal Council, led by President Ueli Maurer, will receive the head of state of the Republic of India in Bern with military honours on the afternoon of Friday, 13 September.

OSCE PA Silk Road Support Group

05.09.2019 — EDA
Andermatt, 05.09.2019 – Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at the third OSCE International Parliamentary Conference - Check against delivery

Presentation of credentials

05.09.2019 — EDA
Berne, 05.09.2019 - Presentation of credentials ceremony of the new Ambassadors in Switzerland

70th anniversary of Swiss-Israeli diplomatic relations: cooperation on 'science and diplomacy' and the promotion of peace in the Middle East

02.09.2019 — EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis, held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz on Monday, 2 September 2019 in Lucerne during events to mark 70 years of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Israel. The two ministers discussed various bilateral issues and the situation in the Middle East. On Tuesday, Mr Katz will also pay a courtesy visit to Ueli Maurer, President of the Swiss Confederation.

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