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President Amherd to represent Switzerland at fourth meeting of the European Political Community

15.07.2024 — Press releases Europa
On Thursday, 18 July, President Viola Amherd will attend the fourth meeting of the European Political Community (EPC), which will take place at the historic Blenheim Palace in the market town of Woodstock in southern England. In addition to the UK and Switzerland, 45 states, the institutions of the European Union (EU) and other organisations will also attend the meeting.

Chief of Armament signs application for membership with regard to accession to the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI)

09.07.2024 — Press releases Europa
The Federal Council wants to join the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) and thus increase opportunities for international cooperation in ground-based air defence. Following the decision of the Federal Council, Chief of Armament Urs Loher now signed an application for membership addressed to the Chairperson of the ESSI on 8 July 2024. All member states of ESSI can now express themselves on the application, after which Switzerland can sign the statement of accession.

Switzerland and EU resume dialogue on financial market regulation

04.07.2024 — Press releases Europa
On 4 July 2024 in Berne, the State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) and the European Commission resumed their dialogue on financial market regulation, which had been suspended since 2017.

Horizon Europe: Extended access for researchers in Switzerland

04.07.2024 — Press releases Europa
The EU has decided that researchers in Switzerland will be eligible to participate in the first three European Research Council calls for proposals for the 2025 programme year.

“D-A-CH” meeting on the security policy situation

02.07.2024 — Press releases Europa
President Viola Amherd, head of the DDPS, is attending the annual high-level meeting of the defence ministers of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The meeting takes place on 2 and 3 July in Vienna.

Switzerland–EU: Federal Council takes stock of current negotiations

26.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 26 June 2024, the Federal Council took stock of the negotiations with the EU and the internal implementation of the package which aims to stabilise and further develop the bilateral path. While tangible progress has been made in several areas, in others, such as immigration and wage protection, the positions of the two sides have not yet converged sufficiently. Meanwhile parallel discussions continue in Switzerland with interest groups on key sectors.

EasyGov.swiss: Work permits for postings and cross-border services of more than 90 days

25.06.2024 — Press releases Europa
On 19 June 2024, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) again expanded EasyGov.swiss, the online desk for companies. EasyGov will become a UID service for foreign companies as part of the 'Integration of reports and permits to pursue employment under the law on foreign nationals' programme. Furthermore, it is now possible to apply on the portal for permits for postings of more than 90 days for employees from companies based abroad and for self-employed service providers from abroad, in the canton of Zurich.

Personenfreizügigkeit: Hohe Zuwanderung bei wachsender Beschäftigung

24.06.2024 — Press releases Europa
Vor dem Hintergrund robusten Beschäftigungswachstums und tiefer Arbeitslosigkeit war die Nachfrage nach ausländischen Arbeitskräften im Jahr 2023 hoch. Die Zuwanderung ist dabei auch Folge der demografischen Entwicklung und einer bereits guten Ausschöpfung der Arbeitskräftepotenziale im Inland. Dies zeigt der 20. Bericht des Observatoriums zum Freizügigkeitsabkommen in einer internationalen Einordnung der Arbeitsmigration in die Schweiz.

Federal Council adopts dispatch on amendment of double taxation agreement with Germany

14.06.2024 — Press releases Europa
During its meeting on 14 June 2024, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the protocol of amendment to the double taxation agreement (DTA) with Germany. The protocol adapts the DTA to various changes in the needs of the contracting states and implements the minimum standards from the base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project with regard to DTAs.

Swiss president meets Portugal’s president and prime minister

12.06.2024 — Press releases Europa
President Viola Amherd met Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro on Wednesday, 12 June. The talks in Bern focused on the countries’ close bilateral relations, European policy, the upcoming summit on peace in Ukraine and cooperation between Switzerland and Portugal at multilateral level.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to attend third Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin

10.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland has been supporting the recovery and reconstruction process in Ukraine since the start of the war. In line with this commitment, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will attend the third Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Berlin on 11 and 12 June 2024, following on from the URCs in Lugano (2022) and London (2023). The Berlin conference will focus, among other things, on private sector involvement, social aspects and the promotion of local and regional development.

Flankierende Massnahmen und Schwarzarbeitsbekämpfung: Kontrollziele im Jahr 2023 erfüllt

10.06.2024 — Press releases Europa
Die Vollzugsorgane haben im Rahmen der flankierenden Massnahmen (FlaM) und des Bundesgesetzes gegen die Schwarzarbeit (BGSA) ihre Kontrollen im Jahr 2023 ohne pandemiebedingte Einschränkungen und mit vollem Ressourceneinsatz durchgeführt. Das FlaM-Mindestkontrollziel wurde erneut erreicht. Ein Rückblick zeigt, wie sich das FlaM-Schutzdispositiv in den letzten zwanzig Jahren stetig weiterentwickelt und neuen Gegebenheiten angepasst hat.

Media (623)

President Amherd to represent Switzerland at fourth meeting of the European Political Community

Chief of Armament signs application for membership with regard to accession to the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI)

Switzerland and EU resume dialogue on financial market regulation

Horizon Europe: Extended access for researchers in Switzerland

“D-A-CH” meeting on the security policy situation

Switzerland–EU: Federal Council takes stock of current negotiations

EasyGov.swiss: Work permits for postings and cross-border services of more than 90 days

Personenfreizügigkeit: Hohe Zuwanderung bei wachsender Beschäftigung

Federal Council adopts dispatch on amendment of double taxation agreement with Germany

Swiss president meets Portugal’s president and prime minister

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to attend third Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin

Flankierende Massnahmen und Schwarzarbeitsbekämpfung: Kontrollziele im Jahr 2023 erfüllt

Other news (33)

Coronavirus: Further easing of entry restrictions from 8 June

27.05.2020 — Europa
The Federal Council is to further relax entry restrictions in connection with the coronavirus pandemic. The restrictions will be lifted in step with the reopening of the economy. From 8 June, the cantons will begin processing applications from workers from the EU/EFTA member states. In addition, Swiss companies will be allowed to employ highly skilled workers from third countries if this is in the public interest, or if they are urgently required. To benefit the domestic workforce, companies will again be required to give notification of job vacancies, a measure that was temporarily suspended during the lockdown. Lastly, the Federal Council plans to lift all travel restrictions and re-establish the free movement of persons across the Schengen area no later than 6 July. Border controls with Germany, Austria and France will be lifted as early as 15 June, as previously announced.

Securing access to research cooperation and funding programmes in Europe

20.05.2020 — Europa
Horizon Europe, the EU’s next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, is due to start in 2021. Along with three other European initiatives, Horizon Europe forms the ‘2021–2027 Horizon package’. On 20 May 2020 the Federal Council adopted a dispatch on funding requesting Parliament to approve CHF 6,154 million in funding to secure Switzerland’s participation in the Horizon package. Provided Parliament approves this funding, the Federal Council and the EU will be able to renew their bilateral research agreement and secureSwitzerland’s continued and uninterrupted participation in the Horizon package as an associated state.

Coronavirus: Switzerland reaches agreement with Germany, Austria and France on opening borders

13.05.2020 — Europa
Switzerland plans to open all borders with Germany, Austria and France on 15 June 2020, if the epidemiological situation allows. Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter has reached agreement on this move following talks with the interior ministers of these three neighbouring countries. She advised the Federal Council of the agreement at its meeting on 13 May 2020.

New slides provide handy, up-to-date information on Switzerland’s European policy

26.11.2019 — Article Europa
Switzerland enjoys close, important and diverse relations with the European Union. They are based on the bilateral approach and influence many aspects of citizens’ lives, both in Switzerland and in the EU.

Serbian Prime Minister Brnabić attends working meeting with President Maurer

03.09.2019 — Europa
On Tuesday, 3 September, President Ueli Maurer received Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić at the Bernerhof for a working visit on the fringes of Swiss Digital Day. Discussions covered bilateral issues such as business and digital transformation, Serbia’s relations with the European Union, and the situation in the Western Balkans.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visits Samos refugee camp and meets new Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs

10.07.2019 — EDA
Mr Cassis's visit to Greece has mainly been concerned with the situation of refugees and the challenges posed by migration. On Tuesday, the head of the FDFA visited the refugee camp on Samos and today met Nikos Dendias, who was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs this week, and President Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

Switzerland and EU adapt their insurance agreement

05.07.2018 — Europa
Switzerland and the EU have been adapting their Direct Insurance Agreement which has existed since 1989 to the new regulatory requirements. The mixed committee with representatives from both sides adopted the changes on 3 July 2018 and brought them into effect. Thereby the agreement is also in line with the future requirements of the Swiss insurance business.

Switzerland and France give go-ahead to implementation of EuroAirport agreement

19.12.2017 — EDA
At their first meeting, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian brought the issue of the tax regime at Basel-Mulhouse (EuroAirport) to a conclusion: the agreement regulating Swiss companies operating at EuroAirport will be applicable from next year. The two foreign ministers' working meeting also focused on other bilateral issues, the situation in Europe and Switzerland's policy with regard to the EU.

EU-Switzerland Financial Regulatory Dialogue held in Bern

19.10.2017 — Europa
The Swiss State Secretariat for International Financial Matters and the European Commission held their 2017 Financial Regulatory Dialogue on October 19 in Berne. The Dialogue was co-chaired by Jörg Gasser, State Secretary for International Financial Matters, and Olivier Guersent, European Commission's Director General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union. Participants included staff from the European Commission, European Supervisory Authorities, Single Resolution Board, the Swiss federal administration, the Swiss National Bank and the Swiss Financial Supervisory Authority FINMA.

European Parliament’s PANA Committee to visit Switzerland

15.09.2017 — Europa
The Swiss authorities will receive a delegation from the European Parliament's PANA Committee on 15 September. The focus of the talks will be the current system and the ongoing work to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and tax offences.

Switzerland once again a full member of partnership-funded EU innovation programmes

23.08.2017 — Europa
On 23 August, the Federal Council approved the agreements on Switzerland’s participation in the Eurostars-2 and the Active and Assisted Living research and development programmes. This means that Switzerland is once again a full member of both programmes and is co-financed by the EU. The programmes are particularly interesting for research-intensive SMEs looking to enter new European or global markets through cross-border cooperation. Switzerland’s participation in the AAL programme is one of the many measures that form part of the federal government’s Skilled Workers Initiative.

Linking of the Swiss and European emissions trading systems: big step forward

16.08.2017 — Europa
Switzerland and the European Union are preparing to link their emissions trading systems. The Federal Council approved the signing of the corresponding agreement at its meeting of 16 August 2017. The European Commission has also adopted proposals for the signature and ratification of the agreement and has submitted them to the Council of the European Union for approval. The agreement could be signed before the end of this year. Its ratification must then be approved by the Swiss and European parliaments.

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