Here you will find media information on matters concerning European policy. Press releases and other information for the media from the various federal departments and offices can be accessed via the Federal Administration’s media portal.
The link below will enable you to take out a e-mail subscription for the press releases and media information.
17.02.2021
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Press release
DEA
On 17 February, the Federal Council opened consultation proceedings on the agreement between Switzerland and the UK on the mobility of service providers (Services Mobility Agreement, SMA). The agreement ensures reciprocal facilitated access for service providers between Switzerland and the UK following the expiry of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP). The consultation runs until 30 April.
16.02.2021
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Press release
DEA
Der Gemischte Ausschuss des Freihandelsabkommens Schweiz-EU von 1972 hat am 12.02.2021 beschlossen, die im Protokoll Nr. 2 des Freihandelsabkommens über bestimmte landwirtschaftliche Verarbeitungserzeugnisse festgelegten Referenzpreise auf den 1. März 2021 anzupassen. Auf das gleiche Datum werden die Zölle auf Importe dieser Produkte aus Drittländern aktualisiert.
12.02.2021
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Press release
EDA
On 22 January 2021, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis appointed the 12 members of the Swiss delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (hereafter the Congress) for the period 2021–26. The candidatures were proposed by the Conference of Cantonal Governments, the Swiss Union of Cities and the Association of Swiss Communes. Following formal validation by the Congress Bureau on 12 February 2021, the new delegation can now begin its work in preparation for the renewal session from 23 to 25 March.
03.02.2021
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Press release
EDA
At its meeting on 3 February 2021, the Federal Council approved the 2020 Foreign Policy Report. The report provides an overview of the priorities of Swiss foreign policy in the past year, most of which was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Other priorities were European policy and the implementation of the Foreign Policy Strategy 2020–23.
02.02.2021
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Press release
DEA
On 2 February, State Secretary Martina Hirayama attended the launch event for Horizon Europe, the 9th EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, via video conference. On 3 February, she will represent Switzerland at the informal meeting of ministers for research and innovation of the EU member states. The main topic of the Horizon Europe launch is the content of the 9th Framework Programme and how the latter will contribute to stimulating the European Research Area. The ministerial meeting, meanwhile, will focus on how to promote careers in research and the role of national and private research funding institutions. By taking part, Switzerland is underlining the part it plays as an active and integral partner in the European Research and Innovation Area.
29.12.2020
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Press release
EDA
The Switzerland-EU bilateral agreements will cease to apply to the United Kingdom at the end of the Brexit transition period. These agreements will be succeeded by a series of follow-up agreements that Switzerland negotiated with the UK as part of its Mind the Gap strategy (including Mind the Gap+). Most of the existing rights and obligations between the two countries will continue to apply. The FDFA has taken note of the conclusion of a trade deal between the EU and the UK and welcomes the fact that it has been possible to avoid a withdrawal of the UK with no deal.
23.12.2020
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Press release
DEA
Persons resident in the UK and South Africa currently in Switzerland, and persons resident in Switzerland currently in those two countries, will be able to return home from 24 December. The existing protective measures and quarantine rules apply.
21.12.2020
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Press release
EDA
Following the discovery of a new, more contagious variant of the coronavirus in the UK and South Africa, the Federal Council today decided to take steps to prevent the further spread of this new virus strain. All persons who have entered Switzerland from these two countries since 14 December must go into quarantine for 10 days. The Federal Council has also introduced a general entry ban from today for all foreign nationals seeking to enter Switzerland from the UK and South Africa. This is intended in particular to stop travel from these countries for tourism purposes.
18.12.2020
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Press release
DEA
Am 18. Dezember haben die Staatssekretärin des Eidgenössischen Departements für auswärtige Angelegenheiten Livia Leu und Unterstaatssekretär Ivan Scalfarotto ein Abkommen zur Vereinfachung der radiometrischen Kontrollen beim Export von Metallprodukten unterzeichnet. Damit entfallen die Strahlenschutz-Messungen an der Grenze beim Export von Metallprodukten.
18.12.2020
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Press release
DEA
At its meeting on 18 December, the Federal Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom (UK) on mobility and extending cooperation on migration. Although not legally binding, the MoU underlines the close cooperation between the two countries in the field of migration and serves as a basis for future mutual support. It forms part of the Swiss government’s Mind the Gap strategy, which is designed to preserve continuity in Swiss-UK relations beyond Brexit.
15.12.2020
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Press release
EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is working throughout the world to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. In Athens, on 15 December, it delivered two special patient transport vehicles and two ISO containers, to be used as mobile examination rooms, to the health service responsible for the Aegean islands. An initial consignment for Greece had previously been delivered on 4 December. Further supplies will be delivered on 18 December, with a final consignment at the end of January, bringing the project to a close.
14.12.2020
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Press release
DEA
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and the Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP, the UK’s Secretary of State for International Trade, signed the Services Mobility Agreement (SMA) on 14 December 2020 in London. The agreement secures reciprocal, facilitated market access for service providers from Switzerland and the United Kingdom from 1 January 2021.
17.02.2021 —
Press release
DEA
On 17 February, the Federal Council opened consultation proceedings on the agreement between Switzerland and the UK on the mobility of service providers (Services Mobility Agreement, SMA). The agreement ensures reciprocal facilitated access for service providers between Switzerland and the UK following the expiry of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP). The consultation runs until 30 April.
16.02.2021 —
Press release
DEA
Der Gemischte Ausschuss des Freihandelsabkommens Schweiz-EU von 1972 hat am 12.02.2021 beschlossen, die im Protokoll Nr. 2 des Freihandelsabkommens über bestimmte landwirtschaftliche Verarbeitungserzeugnisse festgelegten Referenzpreise auf den 1. März 2021 anzupassen. Auf das gleiche Datum werden die Zölle auf Importe dieser Produkte aus Drittländern aktualisiert.
12.02.2021 —
Press release
EDA
On 22 January 2021, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis appointed the 12 members of the Swiss delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (hereafter the Congress) for the period 2021–26. The candidatures were proposed by the Conference of Cantonal Governments, the Swiss Union of Cities and the Association of Swiss Communes. Following formal validation by the Congress Bureau on 12 February 2021, the new delegation can now begin its work in preparation for the renewal session from 23 to 25 March.
03.02.2021 —
Press release
EDA
At its meeting on 3 February 2021, the Federal Council approved the 2020 Foreign Policy Report. The report provides an overview of the priorities of Swiss foreign policy in the past year, most of which was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Other priorities were European policy and the implementation of the Foreign Policy Strategy 2020–23.
02.02.2021 —
Press release
DEA
On 2 February, State Secretary Martina Hirayama attended the launch event for Horizon Europe, the 9th EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, via video conference. On 3 February, she will represent Switzerland at the informal meeting of ministers for research and innovation of the EU member states. The main topic of the Horizon Europe launch is the content of the 9th Framework Programme and how the latter will contribute to stimulating the European Research Area. The ministerial meeting, meanwhile, will focus on how to promote careers in research and the role of national and private research funding institutions. By taking part, Switzerland is underlining the part it plays as an active and integral partner in the European Research and Innovation Area.
29.12.2020 —
Press release
EDA
The Switzerland-EU bilateral agreements will cease to apply to the United Kingdom at the end of the Brexit transition period. These agreements will be succeeded by a series of follow-up agreements that Switzerland negotiated with the UK as part of its Mind the Gap strategy (including Mind the Gap+). Most of the existing rights and obligations between the two countries will continue to apply. The FDFA has taken note of the conclusion of a trade deal between the EU and the UK and welcomes the fact that it has been possible to avoid a withdrawal of the UK with no deal.
23.12.2020 —
Press release
DEA
Persons resident in the UK and South Africa currently in Switzerland, and persons resident in Switzerland currently in those two countries, will be able to return home from 24 December. The existing protective measures and quarantine rules apply.
21.12.2020 —
Press release
EDA
Following the discovery of a new, more contagious variant of the coronavirus in the UK and South Africa, the Federal Council today decided to take steps to prevent the further spread of this new virus strain. All persons who have entered Switzerland from these two countries since 14 December must go into quarantine for 10 days. The Federal Council has also introduced a general entry ban from today for all foreign nationals seeking to enter Switzerland from the UK and South Africa. This is intended in particular to stop travel from these countries for tourism purposes.
18.12.2020 —
Press release
DEA
Am 18. Dezember haben die Staatssekretärin des Eidgenössischen Departements für auswärtige Angelegenheiten Livia Leu und Unterstaatssekretär Ivan Scalfarotto ein Abkommen zur Vereinfachung der radiometrischen Kontrollen beim Export von Metallprodukten unterzeichnet. Damit entfallen die Strahlenschutz-Messungen an der Grenze beim Export von Metallprodukten.
18.12.2020 —
Press release
DEA
At its meeting on 18 December, the Federal Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom (UK) on mobility and extending cooperation on migration. Although not legally binding, the MoU underlines the close cooperation between the two countries in the field of migration and serves as a basis for future mutual support. It forms part of the Swiss government’s Mind the Gap strategy, which is designed to preserve continuity in Swiss-UK relations beyond Brexit.
15.12.2020 —
Press release
EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is working throughout the world to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. In Athens, on 15 December, it delivered two special patient transport vehicles and two ISO containers, to be used as mobile examination rooms, to the health service responsible for the Aegean islands. An initial consignment for Greece had previously been delivered on 4 December. Further supplies will be delivered on 18 December, with a final consignment at the end of January, bringing the project to a close.
14.12.2020 —
Press release
DEA
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and the Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP, the UK’s Secretary of State for International Trade, signed the Services Mobility Agreement (SMA) on 14 December 2020 in London. The agreement secures reciprocal, facilitated market access for service providers from Switzerland and the United Kingdom from 1 January 2021.
02.06.2017 —
DEA
The integration of greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation sector into the emissions trading scheme (ETS) is a necessary step in order to link the Swiss and European schemes. At its session on 2 June 2017 the Federal Council approved the Ordinance governing the acquisition and reporting of data from the aviation sector. In line with the intention of the European Union, it is only domestic flights in Switzerland or flights from Switzerland to member states of the European Economic Area (EEA) that are concerned.
30.03.2017 —
DEA
On 30 March Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, the head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), met European Commission Vice President Andrus Ansip, who is responsible for the digital single market, and the Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmström. The main themes included cooperation in the field of digitalisation and bilateral trade relations, particularly updating the existing bilateral agreements.
14.11.2016 —
DEA
The withholding tax agreement between Switzerland and the United Kingdom will be terminated on 1 January 2017. The agreement between Switzerland and the EU on the automatic exchange of information in tax matters will enter into force on that date. On 14 November 2016, Switzerland and the United Kingdom signed a corresponding agreement in London to ensure a smooth transition between the two models.
10.09.2016 —
DEA
President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann concluded his visit to Malta on Saturday by meeting Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. He was received for a state visit on Friday by the President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. The Republic of Malta will assume the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2017.
23.08.2016 —
DEA
Today, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer attended the informal working meeting of German-speaking finance ministers in Vaduz. He discussed current financial and fiscal policy issues with his counterparts Wolfgang Schäuble (Germany), Hans Jörg Schelling (Austria), Adrian Hasler (Liechtenstein) and Pierre Gramegna (Luxembourg).
06.07.2016 —
DEA
Today, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the introduction of the automatic exchange of financial account information with Iceland, Norway, Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man, Japan, Canada and the Republic of Korea, and submitted it to Parliament for approval. The proposal met with widespread approval in the consultation.
29.06.2016 —
DEA
During its meeting today, the Federal Council adjusted the Financial Market Infrastructure Ordinance. The transitional periods for financial market infrastructures were extended by a year in line with developments in the EU.
The electorate of the United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union in a referendum. The current regulations regarding Swiss citizens and companies will remain valid for the time being. A list of answers to frequently asked questions is available on the website of the DEA.
20.06.2016 —
DEA
President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann travelled to Slovakia on Monday for a state visit where he was received in Bratislava by President Andrej Kiska. He also met the Slovakian prime minister, Robert Fico, economic affairs minister, Peter Žiga, and education minister, Peter Plavčan. In view of the fact that the visit is taking place shortly before Slovakia assumes the rotating presidency of the EU Council for the first time on 1 July, and a few days before the UK referendum, talks focused on European policy issues. The two presidents also attended the Business and Innovation Forum Slovakia-Switzerland 2016.
01.06.2016 —
DEA
With the gathering this morning of the one thousand randomly selected representatives of the public for the first trips through the Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT), the opening festivities for the world's longest railway tunnel have begun. For the festival involving half a dozen heads of state and government, everything is ready. More than 2,000 individuals from the army, police, federal government, Swiss Federal Railways, AlpTransit Gotthard (ATG) and private companies are in action. In addition, 300 media professionals have been accredited from around 20 nations, including the USA, Canada, China, Japan, Kuwait and Chile as well as Switzerland's neighbouring countries.