All news (2646)
Cyber dialogue: Switzerland and the US join forces for an open and secure digital space
09.07.2020
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Press release
EDA
On Thursday, 9 July 2020, Switzerland and the USA met for the first bilateral cyber dialogue. Together, the two countries are committed to an open and secure digital space. In addition to the FDFA, the FDF with the Federal Delegate for Cyber Security, the DDPS, OFCOM and fedpol are involved in the digital exchange. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the SwissCovid tracing app attracted particular interest.
Strengthening international humanitarian law: use of biological, laser or fragmentation weapons is considered a war crime
07.07.2020
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Press release
EDA
The International Criminal Court (ICC) will now be able to punish the use of biological weapons, blinding laser weapons and certain fragmentation weapons as war crimes: Switzerland has ratified the corresponding amendments to the Rome Statute and today handed over its instrument of ratification to the UN in New York. The amendments, which will enter into force in Switzerland next year, provide greater protection for people in war zones. Promoting international humanitarian law is an essential component of Swiss foreign policy.
Telephone calls between President Sommaruga and leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Territory
02.07.2020
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Press release
EDA
President Simonetta Sommaruga has held further talks in recent days as part of her intensive ongoing round of telephone diplomacy. The main topic addressed during the phone calls with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas was current developments in the Middle East conflict.
UN World Data Forum in Bern cannot take place in October 2020
01.07.2020
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Press release
EDA
The Federal Council was informed at its sitting of 1 July 2020 that the organisation committee and the United Nations have decided that the United Nations World Data Forum (UNWDF) cannot take place in October 2020 and should be held at a later date. The UNWDF is an event of global importance in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This, the third meeting of the UNWDF, will be organised in Bern by the Swiss Confederation in cooperation with the United Nations.
FDFA supports ETH Zurich project to produce affordable ventilators for developing countries
30.06.2020
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Press release
EDA
Many countries are facing a severe shortage of ventilators. Access to this life-saving technology is critical for people with breathing difficulties, such as patients suffering from COVID-19. The FDFA is therefore making a humanitarian contribution to the production of simple and affordable ventilators. Through start-up financing, it is supporting an ETH Zurich project to produce cost-effective ventilators in Ukraine which will also be accessible to emerging and developing countries. On 30 June 2020 Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and Ukraine's ambassador to Switzerland, Artem Rybchenko, signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the terms of the start-up funding.
Switzerland supports population affected by the Syrian conflict
30.06.2020
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Press release
EDA
Over the past decade, the war in Syria has resulted in one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Continued fighting and violations of international humanitarian law are impeding the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid. At the fourth Brussels conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region co-chaired by the EU and UN on 30 June, Switzerland announced that in 2020 it would allocate CHF 61 million for measures to assist the Syrian people. The international community pledged a total of USD 7.7 billion. In addition, as host state of the UN peace process in Geneva, Switzerland continues to actively support efforts for a political solution to the conflict.
Mediated by Switzerland: Myanmar's parties sign code of conduct for peaceful elections
26.06.2020
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Press release
EDA
On Friday, 26 June 2020, Myanmar's political parties signed a code of conduct for peaceful elections and a fair election campaign in view of the parliamentary elections scheduled for November. Switzerland acted as a mediator between the parties (as a so-called facilitator) and thus formed the basis for the code to be drawn up. Among the signatories of the code are the majority of the 97 political parties, including the ruling party "National League for Democracy", and various ethnic parties.
75 years of the United Nations: Switzerland gifts Geneva an artwork by Saype and presents its slogan for Security Council candidacy: ‘A PLUS FOR PEACE’
26.06.2020
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Press release
EDA
‘A PLUS FOR PEACE’ is Switzerland’s slogan for its candidacy for a seat on the Security Council in 2023-24. This was announced today by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, on the 75th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter. To mark the anniversary, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, accompanied by the Director-General of UN Geneva, Tatiana Valovaya, presented a biodegradeable fresco by the artist Saype in the park of the Palais des Nations.
Resumption of mobility and bilateral and cross-border cooperation at heart of Federal Councillor Cassis’ Geneva visit
26.06.2020
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Press release
EDA
Today in Geneva, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Minister of State, attached to the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. During this final stage of Mr Cassis' 'border tour', after visits to Ticino and Kreuzlingen, the main talking points were the effectiveness of cross-border cooperation during the coronavirus crisis and the resumption of mobility across the Franco-Swiss border. European policy issues were also discussed.
75 years of the United Nations (fr)
26.06.2020
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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
Berlin process on Libya: Switzerland to co-chair working group on international humanitarian law and human rights
23.06.2020
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Press release
EDA
Switzerland has been given an important role in the search for a peaceful solution to the Libyan crisis. Within the framework of the Berlin process, it will co-chair the working group on respect for international humanitarian law and human rights alongside the Netherlands and the United Nations. The Berlin process was launched in January 2020 to achieve a permanent ceasefire in Libya. This new mandate for Switzerland is consistent with its peace policy activities in Libya and furthers the objectives of its Foreign Policy Strategy 2020–23 in regard to peace and security.
Presentation of credentials
23.06.2020
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Press release
EDA
Presentation of credentials ceremony of the new Ambassadors in Switzerland
