Here you can find the last 12 media releases and other news published by the FDFA, such as statements, announcements and articles, in chronological order.
All media releases can be found on the Administarions's website.
25.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
On 24 April 2024, the UN General Assembly approved funding for an independent institution to investigate cases of missing persons in Syria, to be based in Geneva. As part of its peace policy, Switzerland is firmly committed to clarifying the fate of detained and missing persons. In doing so, it is making a significant contribution to dealing with the past, which is central to peace processes – including in Syria. Switzerland therefore welcomes the international community's decision for the institution to begin its work in International Geneva in 2024.
25.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
The r4d programme of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) came to a close today at a public event in Bern. The two institutions also took the opportunity to launch a new programme called Solution-oriented Research for Development (SOR4D). The two programmes involve the implementation of projects in the fields of health, food security, social conflicts, ecosystems, employment and income in developing countries.
24.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 24 April 2024, the Federal Council decided to proceed with the planned use of CHF 56 million of humanitarian funding earmarked for the Middle East. The FDFA has been instructed to consult with the foreign affairs committees on this matter. A decision on the disbursement of the Swiss contribution to UNRWA will be made at a later date.
23.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, received Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg in Bern today. Their discussions focused on the close bilateral relations between the two countries, Switzerland's European policy, current international affairs and the security situation. Both ministers reaffirmed their joint commitment to promoting global peace.
18.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Palestine's application for full UN membership will not be submitted to the UN General Assembly due to the veto by the United States on 18 April in the UN Security Council. Switzerland abstained from the vote. After assessing the situation and consulting with the chairs of the parliamentary foreign affairs committees, the Federal Council concluded that granting Palestine full UN membership at this time would not be conducive to easing the situation and peace efforts in the Middle East. Switzerland remains committed to the two-state solution.
18.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
On 17–18 April, representatives from more than 50 countries and organisations gathered at an international workshop in Kyiv to discuss measures for identifying and clearing mines and unexploded ordnance in Ukraine. Good coordination of national activities and international support is crucial to ensure that this work can progress swiftly and effectively. The workshop was co-organised by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). Switzerland, whose delegation at the conference was led by Ambassador Simon Geissbühler, has a long history of supporting humanitarian demining through the GICHD and other organisations. Clearing the country of mines is a key prerequisite for Ukraine's recovery.
17.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
State Secretary Alexandre Fasel received a US delegation for political consultations in Bern on 17 April. The delegation was led by Assistant Secretary James O'Brien, who is in charge of European and Eurasian affairs at the US Department of State. On the agenda were the many ongoing or recently concluded bilateral negotiations, particularly in the area of taxation, which are concrete examples of the dynamism of bilateral relations.
15.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At the international donors' conference on 15 April 2024 in Paris, Switzerland pledged CHF 19 million to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Sudan. As a result of the ongoing hostilities over the past year, the country is experiencing one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our time. To date, 8.6 million people have been displaced, and the country is on the brink of a devastating famine. From the beginning of the crisis, Switzerland has been actively engaged at multiple levels to help end the conflict and improve the situation on the ground.
12.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
The third International Cooperation Forum (IC Forum) concluded today in Basel. Over 1,000 representatives from politics, business, science, and civil society gathered alongside President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd, FDFA head Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, and Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde to discuss the theme of peace promotion. Discussions centred on three core values: critical dialogue, trust, and innovation, all aimed at finding new pathways for tangible and sustainable progress. A highlight of the 2024 forum was the Swiss IC Awards, recognising innovative peace-building projects by Swiss companies.
12.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis paid an official visit to Croatia today. He was received by his counterpart, Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman. The meeting focused on bilateral relations, Swiss–EU relations and the geopolitical context.
11.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillors Karin Keller-Sutter and Guy Parmelin, together with Swiss National Bank Chairman Thomas Jordan, will attend the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington from 17 to 19 April 2024. A meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors, as well as a ministerial meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), will also take place as part of this gathering. In addition, the two Federal Councillors will take this opportunity to hold bilateral meetings.
11.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
In 2023, Switzerland's official development assistance (ODA) amounted to CHF 4.64 billion, equivalent to 0.60% of its gross national income (GNI), more than a quarter of which came from asylum-related costs in Switzerland. Excluding these asylum costs, the ODA/GNI ratio was 0.43%.
16.02.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
Switzerland and Nigeria signed an agreement today establishing a migration partnership. The agreement was signed when Nigeria's foreign minister, Henry Odein Ajumogobia, officially met with the head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police, Simonetta Sommaruga. The meeting was followed by a working lunch with Peter Maurer, the Swiss state secretary for foreign affairs, and a courtesy visit to Micheline Calmy-Rey, the current president of the Confederation and head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
11.02.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, made an official working visit to Madrid on Friday. At the end of her visit, Mrs Calmy-Rey announced that Their Majesties King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain had agreed to come to Switzerland on a state visit on 12 and 13 May.
11.02.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council has decided to freeze any assets in Switzerland of the former Egyptian President and parties close to him with immediate effect in order to avoid any misappropriation of Egyptian government assets. At the same time the Federal Council is appealing to the parties in charge in Egypt to quickly respond to the legitimate demands of the Egyptian people in a credible, participatory and transparent manner.
09.02.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
Switzerland’s President, Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, will make an official working visit to Spain on 11 February 2011. The programme includes a meeting with Spain’s Prime Minister, José Luís Rodríguez Zapatero, and a working meeting followed by lunch with Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ms Trinidad Jiménez.
09.02.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
Ambassador Toni Frisch, Delegate for Humanitarian Aid and Head of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit, will be representing Switzerland on Wednesday at a thematic debate of the UN General Assembly in New York on disaster risk reduction.
08.02.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal President Micheline Calmy-Rey met with the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and the President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek on Tuesday in Brussels. An important topic discussed during the official visit was the possibility of a holistic and coordinated approach to the relationship between Switzerland and the EU.
07.02.2011 —
Press releases
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.
04.02.2011 —
Press releases
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.
04.02.2011 —
Press releases
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.
03.02.2011 —
Press releases
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.
03.02.2011 —
Press releases
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.
02.02.2011 —
Press releases
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.