Die Schweiz und Liechtenstein feiern das 100-Jahr-Jubiläum des Zollvertrags

29.03.2023 — Press release Europa
Die Schweiz und Liechtenstein haben anlässlich einer Feier zum 100-Jahr-Jubiläum des Zollvertrags in Schaan/FL die engen Beziehungen gewürdigt, die beide Länder verbinden. Mit der Vertragsunterzeichnung am 29. März 1923 ist ein gemeinsamer Wirtschaftsraum entstanden und damit die Basis für die erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit. An der Jubiläumsfeier auf Einladung der liechtensteinischen Regierung nahmen seitens der Schweiz Bundespräsident Alain Berset sowie zahlreiche Repräsentantinnen und Repräsentanten des Bundes, von Kantonen und Gemeinden teil.

Ukraine: Switzerland to implement tenth package of sanctions

29.03.2023 — Press release Europa
At its meeting on 29 March, the Federal Council decided to enact further sanctions against Russia. This aligns Switzerland with the European Union, which recently adopted a tenth package of sanctions. The latest measures also include humanitarian exemptions and introduce a new means of safeguarding Swiss economic interests in specific cases. The changes come into effect at 8pm on 29 March.

Two Swiss take on important roles at the European Space Agency ESA

24.03.2023 — Press release Europa
Renato Krpoun, Head of the Swiss Space Office at the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI, will be the first Swiss to chair the ESA Council at delegate level. The two-year term of Renato Krpoun will start from 1st July 2023. Daniel Neuenschwander, Director of Space Transportation since mid-2016, will take over responsibility for the Human and Robotic Exploration Directorate as from 1st July 2023.

Working meeting between Belgian interior minister Annelies Verlinden and Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider

14.03.2023 — Press release Europa
On 14 March, the Belgian interior minister Annelies Verlinden and Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider exchanged views on various internal security issues and federalism at a working meeting in Bern. The two countries work together closely, particularly in the fight against organised crime.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives Slovenian foreign minister in Riehen (BS)

21.02.2023 — Press release EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Ignazio Cassis, received Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Deputy Prime Minister Tanja Fajon in Riehen (Basel-Stadt). Their discussions focused on the war in Ukraine, the work of the UN Security Council, Switzerland's European policy and the excellent bilateral relations between Switzerland and Slovenia.

Switzerland – UK: Federal Council approves negotiating mandate

15.02.2023 — Press release Europa
At its meeting on 15 February, the Federal Council approved the mandate to launch negotiations on enhancing the bilateral trade agreement between Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK). The decision is subject to consultation with the relevant parliamentary committees and the Conference of Cantonal Governments.

Ukraine: price caps for Russian petroleum products to take effect

15.02.2023 — Press release Europa
The Federal Council today aligned its sanctions regime on crude oil and petroleum products from Russia with the latest package of sanctions adopted by the European Union (EU). The new measures enter into effect at 6pm on 15 February 2023.

Talks conducted by the President of the Swiss Confederation in Davos focused on security situation in Europe and the work of the UN Security Council

19.01.2023 — Press release Europa
The security situation in Europe and Switzerland's commitment to the UN Security Council: these were the two topics that largely dominated President Alain Berset’s agenda in Davos. Mr Berset held lengthy bilateral talks with more than a dozen heads of state and government on the sidelines of the WEF Annual Meeting.

WEF Annual Meeting: Switzerland and Germany hold talks on energy and economic issues

16.01.2023 — Press release Europa
On 16 January, Federal Councillors Guy Parmelin and Albert Rösti met with Robert Habeck, the German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, at the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos. The talks covered a range of matters including bilateral economic relations and Switzerland's relations with the EU. Against the backdrop of the tense situation in the energy sector worldwide, the three ministers also discussed common challenges in the field of energy security.

Last official visit as Federal Councillor: Ueli Maurer meets his UK counterpart

22.12.2022 — Press release Europa
Today in London, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer met his British counterpart and the United Kingdom's new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt. The two finance ministers welcomed the progress made in the negotiations on a mutual recognition agreement in the financial sector, and looked forward to its finalisation by the end of summer 2023.

Neue Plattform für die elektronische Kommunikation im FlaM-Vollzug

14.12.2022 — Press release Europa
Gemeinsam mit den Sozialpartnern und den Kantonen treibt das Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft (SECO) stetig Vollzugsverbesserungen der flankierenden Massnahmen (FlaM) voran. Mit dem Start des Betriebs der Plattform für die elektronische Kommunikation im Vollzug der FlaM wurde ein weiterer wichtiger Schritt in die Digitalisierung unternommen.

MRA Schweiz-EU: Sitzung des Gemischten Ausschusses

14.12.2022 — Press release Europa
Am 14. Dezember 2022 hat die 17. Sitzung des Gemischten Ausschusses zum Abkommen über die gegenseitige Anerkennung von Konformitätsbewertungen (MRA) stattgefunden. Die EU lehnt die Aktualisierung des Abkommens im Bereich der Medizinprodukte weiterhin ab.

Die Schweiz und Liechtenstein feiern das 100-Jahr-Jubiläum des Zollvertrags

29.03.2023 — Press release Europa
Die Schweiz und Liechtenstein haben anlässlich einer Feier zum 100-Jahr-Jubiläum des Zollvertrags in Schaan/FL die engen Beziehungen gewürdigt, die beide Länder verbinden. Mit der Vertragsunterzeichnung am 29. März 1923 ist ein gemeinsamer Wirtschaftsraum entstanden und damit die Basis für die erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit. An der Jubiläumsfeier auf Einladung der liechtensteinischen Regierung nahmen seitens der Schweiz Bundespräsident Alain Berset sowie zahlreiche Repräsentantinnen und Repräsentanten des Bundes, von Kantonen und Gemeinden teil.

Ukraine: Switzerland to implement tenth package of sanctions

29.03.2023 — Press release Europa
At its meeting on 29 March, the Federal Council decided to enact further sanctions against Russia. This aligns Switzerland with the European Union, which recently adopted a tenth package of sanctions. The latest measures also include humanitarian exemptions and introduce a new means of safeguarding Swiss economic interests in specific cases. The changes come into effect at 8pm on 29 March.

Two Swiss take on important roles at the European Space Agency ESA

24.03.2023 — Press release Europa
Renato Krpoun, Head of the Swiss Space Office at the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI, will be the first Swiss to chair the ESA Council at delegate level. The two-year term of Renato Krpoun will start from 1st July 2023. Daniel Neuenschwander, Director of Space Transportation since mid-2016, will take over responsibility for the Human and Robotic Exploration Directorate as from 1st July 2023.

Working meeting between Belgian interior minister Annelies Verlinden and Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider

14.03.2023 — Press release Europa
On 14 March, the Belgian interior minister Annelies Verlinden and Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider exchanged views on various internal security issues and federalism at a working meeting in Bern. The two countries work together closely, particularly in the fight against organised crime.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives Slovenian foreign minister in Riehen (BS)

21.02.2023 — Press release EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Ignazio Cassis, received Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Deputy Prime Minister Tanja Fajon in Riehen (Basel-Stadt). Their discussions focused on the war in Ukraine, the work of the UN Security Council, Switzerland's European policy and the excellent bilateral relations between Switzerland and Slovenia.

Switzerland – UK: Federal Council approves negotiating mandate

15.02.2023 — Press release Europa
At its meeting on 15 February, the Federal Council approved the mandate to launch negotiations on enhancing the bilateral trade agreement between Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK). The decision is subject to consultation with the relevant parliamentary committees and the Conference of Cantonal Governments.

Ukraine: price caps for Russian petroleum products to take effect

15.02.2023 — Press release Europa
The Federal Council today aligned its sanctions regime on crude oil and petroleum products from Russia with the latest package of sanctions adopted by the European Union (EU). The new measures enter into effect at 6pm on 15 February 2023.

Talks conducted by the President of the Swiss Confederation in Davos focused on security situation in Europe and the work of the UN Security Council

19.01.2023 — Press release Europa
The security situation in Europe and Switzerland's commitment to the UN Security Council: these were the two topics that largely dominated President Alain Berset’s agenda in Davos. Mr Berset held lengthy bilateral talks with more than a dozen heads of state and government on the sidelines of the WEF Annual Meeting.

WEF Annual Meeting: Switzerland and Germany hold talks on energy and economic issues

16.01.2023 — Press release Europa
On 16 January, Federal Councillors Guy Parmelin and Albert Rösti met with Robert Habeck, the German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, at the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos. The talks covered a range of matters including bilateral economic relations and Switzerland's relations with the EU. Against the backdrop of the tense situation in the energy sector worldwide, the three ministers also discussed common challenges in the field of energy security.

Last official visit as Federal Councillor: Ueli Maurer meets his UK counterpart

22.12.2022 — Press release Europa
Today in London, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer met his British counterpart and the United Kingdom's new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt. The two finance ministers welcomed the progress made in the negotiations on a mutual recognition agreement in the financial sector, and looked forward to its finalisation by the end of summer 2023.

Neue Plattform für die elektronische Kommunikation im FlaM-Vollzug

14.12.2022 — Press release Europa
Gemeinsam mit den Sozialpartnern und den Kantonen treibt das Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft (SECO) stetig Vollzugsverbesserungen der flankierenden Massnahmen (FlaM) voran. Mit dem Start des Betriebs der Plattform für die elektronische Kommunikation im Vollzug der FlaM wurde ein weiterer wichtiger Schritt in die Digitalisierung unternommen.

MRA Schweiz-EU: Sitzung des Gemischten Ausschusses

14.12.2022 — Press release Europa
Am 14. Dezember 2022 hat die 17. Sitzung des Gemischten Ausschusses zum Abkommen über die gegenseitige Anerkennung von Konformitätsbewertungen (MRA) stattgefunden. Die EU lehnt die Aktualisierung des Abkommens im Bereich der Medizinprodukte weiterhin ab.

EU and Swiss regulators sign confidentiality arrangement

22.07.2015 — Article Europa

Arrangements will improve oversight of medicines for better protection of public and animal health.

Contribution to the enlarged EU: signing of bilateral framework agreement with Croatia

30.06.2015 — Europa
On 30 June 2015 in Zagreb, Switzerland and Croatia signed the bilateral framework agreement which regulates the substance and implementation of the Swiss enlargement contribution to Croatia. Switzerland has allocated CHF 45 million to support projects in Croatia, in particular in the fields of water treatment, supply of drinking water, research and vocational education and training.

Popular vote Ecopop

30.11.2014 — Article Europa

In a popular vote held on 30 November 2014, 74.1% of the Swiss people and all the cantons have rejected the popular initiative «Stop overpopulation – safeguard our natural environment» (Ecopop initiative).

Switzerland takes further step towards introduction of automatic exchange of information

19.11.2014 — Europa
Today, the Federal Council approved a declaration on Switzerland joining the multilateral agreement on the automatic exchange of information in tax matters. This international agreement, which was developed within the framework of the OECD, forms a basis for the future introduction of the cross-border automatic exchange of information. The question regarding the countries with which Switzerland should introduce this exchange of data is not affected by the signing of the multilateral agreement; it will be presented to Parliament separately at a later stage.

French President François Hollande to pay a state visit to Switzerland in 2015

30.10.2014 — Europa
During President Didier Burkhalter’s working visit to Paris on Thursday, the French president, François Hollande, accepted the Federal Council’s invitation to pay a state visit to Switzerland. The visit will take place next year. During their discussions, the two presidents addressed the status of Basel-Mulhouse airport. Mr Burkhalter and Mr Hollande stressed the importance of the airport’s binational character for the region as a whole.

Federal Council approves the Horizon 2020 package

22.10.2014 — Europa
In its meeting today, the Federal Council approved the agreement on Switzerland’s participation in the Horizon 2020 research programme. The agreement covers Switzerland’s partial association to the programme between 15 September 2014 and 31 December 2016. It allows researchers from Switzerland to take full part in selected parts of Horizon 2020 and to apply for the sought-after grants provided by the European Research Council. The agreement provides for Switzerland’s full association to Horizon 2020 between 2017 and 2020, provided a solution can be found to the issue of the free movement of persons.

Automatic exchange of information in tax matters: Federal Council adopts negotiation mandates with partner states

08.10.2014 — Europa
During its meeting today, the Federal Council adopted definitive negotiation mandates for introducing the new global standard for the automatic exchange of information in tax matters with partner states. The competent parliamentary committees and the cantons were consulted on the mandates in recent months. Negotiations with partner states should commence shortly.

German Chancellor Merkel assures President of the Swiss Confederation Burkhalter that Germany will play a constructive part in the dialogue on EU policy

18.02.2014 — Europa
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr Didier Burkhalter, informed German Chancellor Angela Merkel today about the outcome of the popular vote on the mass immigration initiative and the next steps to be taken by the Federal Council to implement the new constitutional provision on immigration. Ms Merkel assured Mr Burkhalter that Germany would play a constructive part in the aspects of the discussions that touch on EU policy. The meeting with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier centred on the situation in Ukraine and the possible role of the OSCE, which is chaired by Switzerland in 2014, in defusing the crisis. Mr Burkhalter will travel from Berlin to Paris, where he will meet with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius this evening.

Fourth Round of Swiss-EU Negotiations on Linking of Emissions Trading Systems

09.07.2013 — Europa
The fourth round of negotiations between Switzerland and the European Union on the linking of their respective CO2 emissions trading systems was held in Zurich on 8 July 2013. Further progress was made at the negotiations. The aim of completing the technical negotiations by the end of the year was corroborated.