Press releases

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Ignazio Cassis in Iraq and Kuwait: new opportunities and partnerships

25.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis's official visit to Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait ends today. Following his official visit to Jordan on 22 October, the head of the FDFA travelled to Iraq and Kuwait from 23 to 25 October. This trip to the Middle East gave the head of the FDFA an opportunity to discuss the geopolitical challenges facing the region, such as the situation in the Gaza Strip. These three official visits also highlight the new perspectives for political, economic and humanitarian cooperation in a region in motion.

Situation in Gaza at heart of discussions between Ignazio Cassis and Ayman Safadi in Amman

24.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travelled to Amman on 22 October for an official visit to Jordan. There he met with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, for in-depth discussions on regional political developments, the humanitarian situation in Gaza and bilateral cooperation between Switzerland and Jordan. The conflict in the Middle East and the US's 20-point peace plan were at the heart of the talks.

Injured children to be evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment

24.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
As part of a humanitarian operation, Switzerland is evacuating an initial group of seven injured children from the Gaza Strip to Switzerland. The children and persons accompanying them will be hosted by seven Swiss cantons, where they will receive medical treatment at university and cantonal hospitals. They will also undergo an asylum procedure in Switzerland. The humanitarian operation has been jointly organised by several federal agencies and cantons, and is being carried out in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Swiss Air-Rescue Rega.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to pay state visit to Switzerland

23.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will pay a two-day state visit to Switzerland next week at the invitation of the Federal Council, led by President Karin Keller-Sutter. The visit aims to underscore and further deepen the close and multifaceted relationship between the two countries. South Africa is strategically important for Switzerland and ranks among its most important partners on the African continent.

La situation à Gaza au cœur des discussions entre les ministres des affaires étrangère Ignazio Cassis et Ayman Safadi à Amman

23.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
Le conseiller fédéral Ignazio Cassis s’est rendu à Amman le 22 octobre pour une visite officielle en Jordanie. Il y a rencontré son homologue, le ministre des Affaires étrangères Ayman Safadi, pour un échange approfondi sur les évolutions politiques régionales, la situation humanitaire à Gaza et la coopération bilatérale entre la Suisse et le Royaume hachémite. Le confit au Proche-Orient et le plan de paix en 20 points des Etats-Unis ont été au cœur des échanges.

Federal Council initiates consultation on Amending Protocol to Agreement between Switzerland and EU on automatic exchange of information in tax matters

22.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
During its meeting on 22 October 2025, the Federal Council launched the consultation on the Amending Protocol to the Agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) on the automatic exchange of financial account information to improve international tax compliance. The Agreement will be aligned with the amended OECD standard and also contains new provisions on administrative assistance for the recovery of VAT claims.

House of Switzerland 2028 in California – a showcase for Swiss creativity and innovation

22.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting today, the Federal Council decided to capitalise on the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles to promote Switzerland and its interests. California is one of the leading regions in the US for innovation, cutting-edge technology and entrepreneurship. The House of Switzerland will shine a spotlight on Switzerland's strengths in the creative industries, the tech sector, sport and health.

Ignazio Cassis on official visits to Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait

21.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, will be in Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait on official visits from 22 to 25 October 2025. Mr Cassis will be accompanied by the National Council president, Maja Riniker. The visit to the Middle East will serve to deepen bilateral relations, explore possible new avenues for cooperation and discuss current regional developments.

Switzerland and EU sign Amending Protocol to the Agreement on automatic exchange of information in tax matters

20.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 20 October 2025 in Brussels, Switzerland and the European Union (EU) signed the Amending Protocol to the Agreement on the automatic exchange of financial account information to improve international tax compliance. With the Amending Protocol, the Agreement will be aligned to the amended OECD standard and supplemented with new provisions on administrative assistance for the collection of VAT claims.

SDG Flag Day in Lugano: first dialogue between some of Switzerland's largest cities

20.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
An event in connection with SDG Flag Day 2025 was held in Lugano on Friday 17 October at the Asilo Ciani with representatives of Bern and Zurich attending alongside the mayors of Biel/Bienne and Lugano. The two Federal Council delegates for the 2030 Agenda, Markus Reubi (FDFA) and Daniel Dubas (DETEC), as well as the director of the Swiss Union of Cities, Monika Litscher, also participated.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets Uzbek foreign minister Bakhtiyor Saidov

16.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 16 October 2025, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, received the Uzbek foreign minister, Bakhtiyor Saidov, in Bern for an official visit. The talks centred on bilateral relations, regional cooperation in Central Asia, the war in Ukraine and Switzerland's chairpersonship of the OSCE next year.

Swiss–EU package: Federal Council proposals for greater involvement of cantons and Parliament

15.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 15 October 2025, the Federal Council discussed measures to strengthen the involvement of the cantons and Parliament in Switzerland's foreign policy on the Swiss–EU package. Next steps for concluding an arrangement with the cantons and expanding information mechanisms for the parliamentary committees were also set out. These proposals will be included in the Federal Council dispatch expected to be submitted to Parliament in March 2026.

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The Federal Council adopts principles for institutional solutions with the EU

15.06.2012 — Press releases EDA
After holding consultations with the Foreign Affairs Committees of the National Council and the Council of States, the cantons and social partners, the Federal Council today approved the final wording of the principles for institutional solutions with the EU. The consultations showed that there is support for the general direction proposed by the Federal Council. The Federal Council will now inform the EU of its proposals.

Rio+20: Combating Poverty with the Help of the Private Sector (last modification, the 14.06.2012)

14.06.2012 — Press releases EDA
The Corporate Sustainability Forum (CSF), which brings together businesses committed to sustainable development, meets on 15-18 June in Rio de Janeiro, just prior to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. CSF input will then be included in the Rio+20 conference agenda. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) are both partners of the Forum. The SDC will conduct a session on ways to ensure that small-scale farms are able to protect themselves against crop failures and climate change. The SECO on the other hand is hosting three side events: on sustainability standards, reporting and efficient utilisation of production resources.

Official visit to Berne by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Navanethem Pillay

14.06.2012 — Press releases EDA
On 14 June 2012, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, received Ms Navanethem Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, for an official working visit. Switzerland is one of the main donors to the UN High Commission for Human Rights, an important institution in the UN system.

From 11 June onwards at www.rio20.ch: messages from well known Swiss on Rio+20

11.06.2012 — Press releases EDA
From 11 to 19 June 2012, in a series of video messages on the Swiss internet platform www.rio20.ch, a number of famous people will be giving their views on the UN Conference on Sustainable Development to be held from 20 to 22 June in Rio de Janeiro. They include President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, Bertrand Piccard and skier Lara Gut.

President Widmer-Schlumpf and Federal Councillor Leuthard to attend Rio+20

08.06.2012 — Press releases EDA
On 8 June 2012, the Federal Council appointed the Swiss delegation to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development from 20 to 22 June 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The federal government will be represented by President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf and Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard, head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications. The conference should renew the commitment to sustainable development and provide a forum for discussing the green economy at the highest political level.

Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will represent Switzerland at the Global Counterterrorism Forum

07.06.2012 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will represent Switzerland in Istanbul this Thursday at the ministerial meeting of the Global Counterterrorism Forum – GCTF. This body, established in September 2011 in New York, consists of 29 states from all the regions of the world and the European Union. Its function is to identify national and international needs in the field of counterterrorism, to conduct coordination activity whenever necessary and to work out relevant solutions.

Switzerland to open an embassy in Myanmar

06.06.2012 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland will open an embassy in Myanmar in the summer of this year. This step is intended as an acknowledgement of the country's great potential, both economically and as a tourist destination. It also does justice to Myanmar's growing openness to democracy and political change following half a century of authoritarian rule. Switzerland will also strengthen its development cooperation to support the country’s transition to democracy.

Bund und Kantone unterzeichnen Vereinbarung zum Europadialog

05.06.2012 — Press releases EDA
Der Vorsteher des EDA, Bundesrat Didier Burkhalter, und der Vorsteher des EVD, Bundesrat Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, im Namen des Bundes, sowie Regierungspräsident Pascal Broulis, als Vertreter der Konferenz der Kantonsregierungen (KdK), haben heute in Bern eine Vereinbarung unterzeichnet, welche den politischen Dialog Bund-Kantone zu Europafragen regelt. Damit wird ein permanentes politisches Leitorgan zum Informationsaustausch in Europafragen zwischen Bund und Kantonen eingerichtet.

Aung San Suu Kyi to visit Switzerland

01.06.2012 — Press releases EDA
From 13-15 June 2012, the Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi will visit Switzerland to attend the 101st session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva. During her visit, she will meet and talk to young people and travel to Bern, where she will be guest of honour at a dinner hosted by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, at which Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga will also be present. In addition, she will have talks with Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and, on 15 June, she will visit the Swiss Parliament.

Federal Council adopts mandate text on EU dialogue on corporate tax regimes

01.06.2012 — Press releases EDA
During its meeting today, the Federal Council adopted the mandate text for the dialogue with the EU on corporate tax regimes. The aim of the dialogue is to find a solution for corporate taxation that is internationally accepted and yet strengthens Switzerland as a business location and maintains the finances of the cantons and the Confederation. The mandate text was approved by the Conference of the Cantonal Governments of Switzerland today. In addition, it will be the subject of consultations with the responsible committees of both chambers in the weeks ahead.

Annual Report on Swiss international cooperation in 2011

31.05.2012 — Press releases EDA
The Annual Report on Swiss international cooperation in 2011 has just been published. As a joint publication of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), it presents the most significant results of Switzerland’s commitment to combating poverty as well as its contribution to the reduction of global risks in a year distinguished above all by popular uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East.

FDFA declares Syrian Ambassador “persona non grata”

29.05.2012 — Press releases EDA
FDFA takes a stand

Other news (151)

SwissInTouch, Switzerland in your pocket

24.11.2022 — Article EDA
Approximately 780,000 Swiss citizens abroad currently benefit from the wide range of services provided by a global network of representations offering advice and support. The FDFA Helpline is also on hand to answer queries 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Now there's a new app that makes staying in touch even easier: SwissInTouch keeps Switzerland at your fingertips.

Speech - 150e anniversaire du passage de la frontière de l’armée du général Bourbaki

29.01.2022 — EDA
Allocution du président de la Confédération Ignazio Cassis, chef du Département fédéral des affaires étrangères, à l’occasion du 150e anniversaire du passage de la frontière de l’armée du général Bourbaki - Check against delivery.

"Digitalisation - an opportunity for Europe's democratic values"

21.05.2021 — EDA
Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), on the occasion of the 131st (virtual) Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Check against delivery.

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

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.

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.

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.

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