News

Opening the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Geneva, Swiss Chair says collective effort needed to restore stability and rebuild common understanding of European security

03.10.2014 — Press releases EDA

Press release

Strengthening the commitment to peace policy: President Burkhalter opens “Maison de la Paix” in Geneva

03.10.2014 — Press releases EDA
The President of the Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, together with Geneva State Council President François Longchamp and Geneva State Councillor Sandrine Salerno, opened the Maison de la Paix (House of Peace) in Geneva today. The building, which belongs to the Geneva Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID), is home to a number of institutions active in the areas of peace and security policy. In the garden of the Maison de la Paix President Burkhalter planted an oak tree as a symbol of Switzerland’s commitment to a policy of peace and security, a policy which the Confederation also pursues within the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), whose Parliamentary Assembly is currently meeting in Geneva.

Truce too important for stabilization to be carelessly put at risk, Swiss OSCE Chair says after new outbreak of violence

02.10.2014 — Press releases EDA

Press release

Truce too important for stabilization to be carelessly put at risk, Swiss OSCE Chair says after new outbreak of violence

02.10.2014 — Press releases EDA

Press release

On the road to Basel Ministerial Council, Swiss Chair launches discussion on ways to overcome the crisis of European security

26.09.2014 — Press releases EDA

Press release

On the road to Basel Ministerial Council, Swiss Chair launches discussion on ways to overcome the crisis of European security

26.09.2014 — Press releases EDA

Press release

Acknowledging recent progress in implementing Minsk protocol, OSCE CiO says stabilizing cease-fire key for peace process in eastern Ukraine

17.09.2014 — Press releases EDA

Press release

Acknowledging recent progress in implementing Minsk protocol, OSCE CiO says stabilizing cease-fire key for peace process in eastern Ukraine

17.09.2014 — Press releases EDA

Press release

Europe's security on the agenda of the meeting of heads of state of German-speaking countries

16.09.2014 — Press releases EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, will take part in the traditional meeting of heads of state of German-speaking countries in Rostock on Thursday. At the initiative of Germany, both Luxembourg and Belgium have been invited to this year's meeting, which will also be attended by Austria and Liechtenstein.

On International Day of Democracy, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and ODIHR Director call for greater efforts to promote youth engagement and participation

15.09.2014 — Press releases EDA

Press release

On International Day of Democracy, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and ODIHR Director call for greater efforts to promote youth engagement and participation

15.09.2014 — Press releases EDA

Press release

OSCE Chairperson’s Personal Representatives on tolerance in joint country visit to Denmark

11.09.2014 — Press releases EDA

Press release

All participants of Panel on European Security as a Common Project confirmed

12.01.2015 — Press releases EDA

Press release

OSCE proven its capacity to act in crisis year 2014 – continued efforts to reconsolidate European security needed, says outgoing Swiss chair

30.12.2014 — Press releases EDA

Press release

Minsk talks must resume to rapidly advance peace efforts, Swiss Chair says

26.12.2014 — Press releases EDA

Press release

Private military and security companies: Montreux Document participants Forum to continue working on implementation

16.12.2014 — Press releases EDA
The Montreux Document reaffirms the existing obligations of states under international law relating to private military and security companies (PMSCs) operating in armed conflict, and lists good practices designed to help states take national measures to implement these obligations. Six years after its adoption, Montreux Document participants have now established the “Montreux Document Forum” to continue working on the implementation of the Montreux Document and to share good practices and discuss challenges regarding the regulation of PMSCs. The Montreux Document is now supported by 51 states and three international organisations: the EU, the OSCE and NATO.

OSCE Chairperson’s Personal Representatives on tolerance make first joint country visit to Turkey

10.12.2014 — Press releases EDA

Press release

Young FDFA employees receive prizes for their project proposals

08.12.2014 — Press releases EDA
At the annual Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) end of year event on Monday evening, Swiss President Didier Burkhalter announced the winners of the "Youth and Ideas" competition he launched during the Ambassadors and International Network Conference in Milan in August. Open to the youngest FDFA employees, the idea of the competition was to launch projects to put forward the values Switzerland's foreign policy must promote according to the Federal Constitution. These are peace, human rights, democracy, sustainable development and the alleviation of poverty. The jury said all of the 41 projects entered were of the highest quality. A prize was awarded to the best three.

Le président de la Confédération s’exprimera devant les membres du CIO réunis en Session extraordinaire à Monaco (fr)

07.12.2014 — Press releases EDA
L’an prochain marquera les 100 ans de l’installation du Comité international olympique en Suisse (CIO). A la veille de cet anniversaire, le président de la Confédération Didier Burkhalter a été invité par le président Thomas Bach à s’exprimer en tant que représentant de l’Etat hôte à l’occasion de la Session extraordinaire que le CIO tiendra les 8 et 9 décembre à Monaco.

Commemorative Publication marks 20 years of key OSCE Document on Promoting Democratic Control of Armed and Security Forces

05.12.2014 — Press releases EDA

The Commemorative Publication 20 Years of OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security was presented by Didier Burkhalter, Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE 2014 and President of the Swiss Confederation and solemnly handed over to Lamberto Zannier, OSCE Secretary General representing the OSCE Community. The Commemorative Publication was produced by International Relations Defence in the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports (DDPS), and features contributions from academics and representatives of selected OSCE participating States, presenting the milestones achieved in the first 20 years of the Code’s existence as well as perspectives and ideas for its further development within and beyond the OSCE.

2014 OSCE Ministerial Council in Basel: clear endorsement of OSCE as platform for dialogue with capacity to act

05.12.2014 — Press releases EDA
The representatives of the 57 participating States of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe adopted various declarations at the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting, including on counterterrorism and natural disaster prevention. At the close of this year's Ministerial Council meeting, Didier Burkhalter, Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, welcomed an improved level of continuity in the work of the organisation. Today’s Ministerial Council decision to transfer the 2016 and 2017 Chairmanships to Germany and Austria ensures the organisation’s leadership for the coming years.

Ukraine in focus as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Burkhalter opens 21st Ministerial Council in Basel

04.12.2014 — Press releases EDA

Press release

Switzerland steps up support for OSCE monitoring mission and further de-escalation measures in Ukraine

04.12.2014 — Press releases EDA
In his opening speech to the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, President Didier Burkhalter, called for efforts to improve implementation of the de-escalation measures in Ukraine and to step up support for the OSCE special monitoring mission and the Trilateral Contact Group. Switzerland has earmarked an additional CHF 2 million to support efforts to find a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine.

"Summary by the Chairperson-in-Office of the discussions of Day 1 at the OSCE Ministerial Council"

04.12.2014 — Press releases EDA
Summary by the Chairperson-in-Office of the discussions of Day 1 at the OSCE Ministerial Council, Basel, 4 december 2014.

"Promoting tolerance and combating anti-Semitism - our collective endeavour because it is our common history and our common future"

13.11.2014 — Article EDA

Bern, 13.11.2014 - Berlin, 13.11.2014 - Opening address by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr. Didier Burkhalter, at the Conference on Anti-Semitism of the OSCE - Check against deliviery