All news (3848)
Ambassadors' Conference: focus on Swiss–EU package and international challenges
17.08.2026
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Press releases
EDA
This year's annual Swiss Ambassadors' Conference is being held in Bern from 17 to 21 August. Its theme is ‘Global disorder: Switzerland in Europe and the world’. The Swiss-EU package is one of the priority topics at the 2026 event. Discussions will also centre on the international situation, Switzerland's scope of action on foreign policy, and relations with key partners. With these issues in mind, as part of the Conference Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will receive German Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul for an open forum with the Swiss diplomatic corps.
Switzerland – Africa: a workshop to bridge science and diplomacy
17.08.2026
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Press releases
EDA
Diplomats and scientists from Switzerland and Africa came together today at the University of Bern for a workshop entitled ‘Science Diplomacy in Practice’. The workshop was organised by the FDFA and the Universities of Bern and Basel with the aim of strengthening synergies between research, innovation, and diplomacy. Participants praised the breadth of existing initiatives and discussed new ways to more closely link the scientific community with Swiss and African diplomatic networks.
Switzerland contributes to protection of Ukraine's Pechersk Lavra cave monastery
15.08.2026
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Press releases
EDA
On 15 August 2026, Switzerland will take part in the celebrations marking the 975th anniversary of Kyiv's Pechersk Lavra monastery complex through the Federal Council delegate for Ukraine, Jacques Gerber. To mark the anniversary, Switzerland is announcing a contribution of CHF 600,000 to prepare for the cave monastery's restoration following damage sustained in a Russian air strike in June 2026 – and to protect it from further damage.
2026 OSCE Ministerial Council in Lugano: Swiss federal funding for security costs
12.08.2026
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Press releases
EDA
The annual OSCE Ministerial Council will take place in Lugano on 3 and 4 December 2026. A few weeks before Switzerland’s term as OSCE Chair comes to an end, , the meeting will bring together numerous foreign ministers from around the world. To ensure security of the event and its participants, extensive measures will be put in place. At its meeting on 12 August 2026, the Federal Council decided to classify the conference as an extraordinary event. Federal funding will therefore be provided to cover most of the security costs incurred by the Canton of Ticino authorities.
‘Constitutional amendment concerning Bilaterals III’ parliamentary initiative: Federal Council reaffirms its position
12.08.2026
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 12 August 2026, the Federal Council adopted its statement on the ‘Constitutional amendment concerning the Bilaterals III’ parliamentary initiative submitted by the Political Institutions Committee of the Council of States (PIC-S). This initiative calls for a transitional provision in the Federal Constitution which provides for the ratification of the agreements on the stabilisation of relations between Switzerland and the EU by the Federal Council. This would mean that these agreements would be subject to a mandatory referendum. On 30 April 2025, the Federal Council came out in favour of an optional referendum on an international treaty and confirmed this decision when adopting its dispatch of 13 March 2026. It has today reaffirmed its position and requested that the Council of States does not enter into deliberations on the PIC-S’s parliamentary initiative.
Federal Council sets out strategic direction for the Geneva AI Summit 2027 and appoints Fabiola Gianotti as Delegate
12.08.2026
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 12 August, the Federal Council set out the strategic direction and project organisation for the Geneva AI Summit 2027. It appointed Fabiola Gianotti as its Delegate. The former Director-General of CERN is tasked with implementing the defined objectives.
Neutrality initiative: Federal Council rejects rigid interpretation and upholds established practice in line with national interest
11.08.2026
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Press releases
EDA
Neutrality in its current form has stood the test of time for over 180 years. The Federal Council and Parliament therefore wish to maintain neutrality in its current form. It safeguards Switzerland’s freedom, security and independence. It is precisely the ability to respond appropriately to new challenges that has made neutrality so strong, said Federal Councillor and head of the FDFA Ignazio Cassis at the launch of the referendum campaign on the neutrality initiative in Bern. The initiative calls for a more restrictive concept of neutrality. The referendum is not about whether Switzerland will remain neutral in future: “Switzerland has been and is neutral, and it will remain neutral,” emphasised Mr Cassis.
Federal councillor and OSCE chairman Ignazio Cassis visits Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan
06.08.2026
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Press releases
EDA
The head of the FDFA was in Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan from 3 to 5 August 2026 for official talks with the foreign ministers of both countries. He also met with President Serdar Berdimuhamedow of Turkmenistan and visited the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. A second trip to the region is planned for October 2026, to Armenia and Georgia.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to visit Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan
31.07.2026
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will visit Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan from 3 to 5 August 2026. The head of the FDFA will hold official talks with the authorities of both countries at which he will particularly address bilateral relations. In his capacity as chairman-in-office of the OSCE he will also discuss the priorities of the Swiss chairpersonship in the current geopolitical context.
Waldbrände in Frankreich: Die Schweiz entsendet zwei Helikopter zur Unterstützung der Löscharbeiten
26.07.2026
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Press releases
EDA
Die Schweiz unterstützt Frankreich bei der Bekämpfung der schweren Waldbrände. Auf Ersuchen des französischen Zivilschutzes stellt die Schweiz voraussichtlich zwei Super Puma Helikopter mit ihren Crews für einen Löscheinsatz zur Verfügung. Die Unterstützung wird durch die Direktion für Entwicklung und Zusammenarbeit (DEZA) des Eidgenössischen Departements für auswärtige Angelegenheiten (EDA) zusammen mit dem Eidgenössischen Departement für Verteidigung, Bevölkerungsschutz und Sport (VBS) koordiniert.
Ebola: Switzerland boosts support for fight against epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and wider region
23.07.2026
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Press releases
EDA
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is facing a new Ebola epidemic that began in May of this year. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has decided to contribute an additional CHF 1.6 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) to support efforts to combat the spread of the virus in the DRC and the wider region.
Vice-President of the Swiss Confederation to attend funeral of former Emir of Qatar
13.07.2026
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will travel to Qatar on 13 and 14 July 2026 to attend the official funeral of the former emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. As head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and Vice-President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr Cassis will represent Switzerland at the condolence ceremony in the presence of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on Tuesday in Doha.
