31.10.2019

Switzerland and the United Kingdom have signed an agreement on the coordination of social security schemes.

04.09.2019

The Federal Council has sent a bill to parliament in order to secure a credit necessary for the further development of the Schengen acquis. This investment in information systems aims at strengthening security in the Schengen area.

16.07.2019

The European Parliament appointed Ursula von der Leyen of Germany as the new president of the European Commission. The European People’s Party (EPP) member was elected with 383 votes for, 327 against and 22 abstentions.

27.06.2019

Switzerland and the EU have signed an agreement furthering police cooperation (Prüm decision) and a protocol giving Swiss authorities access to the Eurodac database.

07.06.2019

In its bill to the Parliament the Federal Council rejects the initiative “for a moderate immigration” without a counter proposal.

07.06.2019

The Federal Council approves the report on the consultations on the institutional agreement Switzerland – EU and demands clarifications.

25.02.2019

As part of the Federal Council’s Mind the gap strategy, State Secretary Mario Gattiker and his British counterpart, Parliamentary Under-Secretary Christopher Heaton-Harris, signed an agreement on citizens’ rights, in order to safeguarde the existing rights of their citizens for the time after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU (Brexit).

13.02.2019

The Federal Council decided on arrangements for the admission of British citizens in the event of the United Kingdom’s disorderly withdrawal from the European Union. It aims to safeguard its close bilateral relations with the United Kingdom after after its withdrawal from the EU (Brexit).

11.02.2019

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and the British Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox, signed a bilateral trade agreement in order to ensure the continuation of economic and trade relations between Switzerland and the United Kingdom after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU (Brexit) is assured.

31.01.2019

The EU has adopted definitive safeguard measures in the form of tariff quotas on imports of steel products from third countries. Steel imports from Switzerland into the EU are also affected by these measures.

30.01.2019

The Federal Council has decided that the new data protection provisions for the processing of personal data in the area of Schengen cooperation in criminal matters will apply from 1 March 2019. It thus fulfils Switzerland's obligations with regard to the further development of the Schengen acquis and continues to enable an efficient fight against international crime and terrorism.

25.01.2019

President Ueli Maurer signed an agreement on direct insurance other than life assurance with the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, as well as a road traffic agreement with Jane Owen, Her Majesty's Ambassador to Switzerland. This will ensure the seamless continuation of the current regulations in these areas even after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU (Brexit).

01.01.2019

Romania takes on the Presidency of the Council of the EU for a six-month term.