Press releases

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2010 Annual Report on Switzerland’s International Cooperation

11.07.2011 — Press releases EDA
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) published the joint Annual Report for 2010 on Switzerland’s international cooperation. It provides the most important results in relation to Switzerland’s commitment to combating poverty, and contributions to the reduction of global risks.

Switzerland to strengthen its presence in Benghazi

11.07.2011 — EDA
Switzerland strengthens its presence in Benghazi, and sends a diplomat to the East Libyan city for the purpose of opening a liaison office. This will be in addition to the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit programme office which has already been up and running for the last four months.

Switzerland recognises Southern Sudan

09.07.2011 — Press releases EDA
Following consultation with the Foreign Affairs Committees of both chambers of the Federal Assembly, the Federal Council has decided to recognise Southern Sudan as an independent state. Switzerland will now undertake the formal steps necessary to establish diplomatic and consular relations. Switzerland has sent an official representative to attend the independence celebrations on 9 July 2011 in the Southern Sudanese capital of Juba.

The President of the Confederation to meet the Russian President

05.07.2011 — Press releases EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, is to meet the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, on 13 July in the Russian city of Kolomna. She will be accompanied by Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann. The two Presidents will inaugurate the cement works of the Swiss company Holcim in Kolomna.

Entführung zweier Schweizer in Pakistan – Stellungnahme des EDA

02.07.2011 — Press releases EDA

Peace promotion and human security: new framework credit

30.06.2011 — Press releases EDA
In yesterday's meeting, the Federal Council decided that it wishes to further its measures to promote peace and human security. It has requested from Parliament a new framework credit of CHF 310 million over at least four years, starting in 2012. CHF 50 million are earmarked for a special North Africa and Middle East programme. This will enable Switzerland to continue - and where necessary to strengthen - its high-profile policy of peace promotion, human rights, and democracy as well as its migration policy.

Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey pays an official Visit to Bucharest

30.06.2011 — Press releases EDA
Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey flew to Romania on Thursday, 30 June 2011, for a two-day official visit. Upon her arrival in Bucharest, she was welcomed by Romanian President Traian Basescu with military honours. Following this, she met with Prime Minister Emil Boc. Their discussions focused on bilateral relations, European policy, and international issues.

Swiss international cooperation celebrates its 50th anniversary in Ticino

27.06.2011 — Press releases EDA
This year, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) celebrates its jubilee (1961-2011). To mark the occasion, it has decided to present its many activities to the public in several cities in Switzerland in the form of street actions. Following on from appearances in Geneva and Bern, the SDC street action will move to Bellinzona from 30 June to 2 July. The authorities of Ticino have been invited for the opening of the event, at which the head of the SDC’s Division for Cooperation with Eastern Europe, Kurt Kunz, will be present.

President of the Confederation Calmy-Rey pays official visit to Bucharest

27.06.2011 — Press releases EDA
President of the Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey will pay a two-day official visit to the Romanian capital Bucharest starting on 30 June. She will meet the Romanian President Traian Basescu and Prime Minister Emil Boc. Their talks will focus on bilateral relations, European policy and international issues.

Human trafficking: Switzerland - Nigeria

24.06.2011 — Press releases EDA
For some years, Swiss and EU authorities have noted that an increasing number of young Nigerian women are falling victim to human trafficking. For this reason, the FDFA in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) have invited experts from Nigeria, Switzerland and the Netherlands to take part in a round-table discussion in Bern to exchange experiences and discuss possible solutions.

New Consular Directorate in the FDFA

24.06.2011 — Press releases EDA
The Consular Directorate in the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has now started its operations. This unit, together with the representations abroad, will be responsible for providing all consular services. The increasing mobility of Swiss nationals has led to a greater demand for consular services in recent years. By establishing the Consular Directorate, the FDFA has created a modern instrument to deal with this increased demand.

Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey attends the Regional Ambassadors Conference in Doha

23.06.2011 — Press releases EDA
The heads of the Swiss Embassies and Cooperation Offices in the Near and the Middle East gathered in Doha from 19 to 21 June 2011 for a Regional Ambassadors Conference. Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department for Foreign Affairs FDFA, also took part in the Conference, which dealt with the current developments and changes taking place in the Arab world and the future Swiss foreign policy in the region.

Media (3534)

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets Uzbek foreign minister Bakhtiyor Saidov

16.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 16 October 2025, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, received the Uzbek foreign minister, Bakhtiyor Saidov, in Bern for an official visit. The talks centred on bilateral relations, regional cooperation in Central Asia, the war in Ukraine and Switzerland's chairpersonship of the OSCE next year.

Swiss–EU package: Federal Council proposals for greater involvement of cantons and Parliament

15.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 15 October 2025, the Federal Council discussed measures to strengthen the involvement of the cantons and Parliament in Switzerland's foreign policy on the Swiss–EU package. Next steps for concluding an arrangement with the cantons and expanding information mechanisms for the parliamentary committees were also set out. These proposals will be included in the Federal Council dispatch expected to be submitted to Parliament in March 2026.

New Swiss ambassadors

15.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
As part of the FDFA's periodic transfer rotation and on the basis of appointments made by the Federal Council, personnel changes and the conferment of ambassadorial titles will take place in 2025 and 2026 at several Swiss representations and at the head office of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

The geopolitics of knowledge: Ignazio Cassis at the 5th GESDA summit on the new frontiers opened up by technological development

14.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
From 15 to 17 October 2025, the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) summit will bring together around a thousand researchers, diplomats, ministers, representatives of the private sector and philanthropists to discuss the challenges posed by new technologies and their impact on people's lives. In his speech, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs will highlight the work that science and diplomacy do together in facilitating discussions between states when they need to define rules for the use of new technologies. These types of negotiations often take place in Geneva.

Ignazio Cassis receives Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Bellinzona

10.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, today welcomed the foreign minister of the People's Republic of China, Wang Yi, to Bellinzona for the fourth round of Switzerland and China's strategic dialogue. The meeting also coincided with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Swiss diplomat Jürg Lauber elected ICRC new Vice-President

10.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
The Assembly of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has chosen Ambassador Jürg Lauber to succeed Gilles Carbonnier as Vice-President of the institution, who will end his second four-year term on 31 March 2026. Currently Switzerland's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva, Jürg Lauber is also this year the President of the UN Human Rights Council.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets with Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel in Lisbon

09.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 9 October 2025, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, met with his Portuguese counterpart Paulo Rangel for official talks in Lisbon. The meeting provided an opportunity to highlight the close and strong ties between Switzerland and Portugal, which are strengthened in particular by the large Portuguese community living in Switzerland. Current geopolitical issues were also discussed.

Another success for Switzerland in efforts to abolish the death penalty

08.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
The UN Human Rights Council has adopted, by a large majority, a resolution put forward by Switzerland and seven other countries to ensure that those facing the death penalty have the right to equality before the law. This success represents a further step on the way to abolishing capital punishment. The 60th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) ended today following a month's work. This was also the final session chaired by Swiss diplomat Jürg Lauber.

EPC Summit in Copenhagen: President Keller-Sutter meets Cypriot leader ahead of Council of EU presidency

02.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
On Thursday, 2 October, the president of the Swiss Confederation, Karin Keller-Sutter, attended the European Political Community (EPC) summit meeting in Copenhagen. Ahead of Cyprus's presidency of the Council of the EU over the next six-month term, Ms Keller-Sutter took the opportunity to hold an in-depth discussion with the president of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, on the sidelines of the meeting of European heads of state and government.

Restitution of assets to the benefit of the population of Equatorial Guinea

29.09.2025 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea signed an agreement today on the restitution of CHF 22.8 million to Equatorial Guinea. The funds will be used to finance a project aimed at improving the quality of and access to primary healthcare services for vulnerable peoples in four of the Central African country's provinces. The funds returned will therefore benefit the country's population.

Ignazio Cassis reaffirms Switzerland's foreign policy priorities at 80th UN General Assembly in New York

25.09.2025 — Press releases EDA
During the high-level week of the 80th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, the FDFA highlighted its priorities: promoting peace, respecting international humanitarian law and strengthening multilateral cooperation. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, took part in several conferences and bilateral meetings, addressing topics such as Switzerland's future OSCE chairpersonship in 2026, Russia's war against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and the protection of civilians in armed conflicts.

In New York President Karin Keller-Sutter emphasises the responsibility of states to ensure security and freedom

24.09.2025 — Press releases EDA
At the opening of the General Debate at the UN in New York on Wednesday, 24 September, President Karin Keller-Sutter cited security and freedom as key values in marking the start of another new era 80 years after the founding of the UN. She also reaffirmed Switzerland's support for the UN's reform efforts.

Other news (151)

SwissInTouch, Switzerland in your pocket

24.11.2022 — Article EDA
Approximately 780,000 Swiss citizens abroad currently benefit from the wide range of services provided by a global network of representations offering advice and support. The FDFA Helpline is also on hand to answer queries 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Now there's a new app that makes staying in touch even easier: SwissInTouch keeps Switzerland at your fingertips.

Speech - 150e anniversaire du passage de la frontière de l’armée du général Bourbaki

29.01.2022 — EDA
Allocution du président de la Confédération Ignazio Cassis, chef du Département fédéral des affaires étrangères, à l’occasion du 150e anniversaire du passage de la frontière de l’armée du général Bourbaki - Check against delivery.

"Digitalisation - an opportunity for Europe's democratic values"

21.05.2021 — EDA
Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), on the occasion of the 131st (virtual) Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Check against delivery.

Official opening of the Ceneri Base Tunnel

04.09.2020 — EDA
Camorino, 04.09.2020 - Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the Inauguration Ceremony "Ceneri2020" - Check against delivery

Passaggio di testimone tra generazioni (de-fr-it)

25.08.2020 — EDA
Bern, 25.08.2020: Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the retirement of the ambassadors and the welcoming of the young diplomats who are taking up their posts in the service of the FDFA. Check against delivery.

75 years of the United Nations (fr)

26.06.2020 — 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

Opening of the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council (fr)

24.02.2020 — EDA
Geneva, 24.02.2020 - Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis - Check against delivery

Discover the world with the FDFA and with peace mind

17.01.2020 — Article EDA
Just what is the perfect trip abroad? And where would it take you? Swiss travellers have different needs and expectations – some prefer to go on their own, others would rather choose an organised tour. It doesn't matter if you're a backpacker or a jet-setter: the FDFA provides a wide range of services for anyone who wants to travel abroad.

Switzerland and Italy reach an agreement on Campione d'Italia

20.12.2019 — EDA
At its meeting on 20 December 2019, the Federal Council approved an exchange of notes between Switzerland and Italy regarding the change of the customs status of the Italian enclave of Campione d'Italia. This exchange of notes is necessary to ensure legal certainty and facilitates the transition of Campione d'Italia into the European Union's customs territory, scheduled for 1 January 2020.

Third meeting of the Working Group on Unresolved Issues established by the Joint Committee supervising the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation

19.12.2019 — EDA
On 16 and 17 December 2019 a third meeting of the Working Group on Unresolved Issues established by the Joint Committee, supervising the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation on the basic principles for a mechanism of customs administration and monitoring of trade in goods, signed on 9 November 2011, took place in Bern.

First Global Refugee Forum in Geneva brings together actors committed to finding shared solutions

17.12.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has opened the Global Refugee Forum together with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. The purpose of the forum, which takes place on 17 and 18 December at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, is to find shared solutions to meet the needs of refugees and their host communities.

Federal Council extends freeze on assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine

13.12.2019 — EDA
On 13 December 2019, the Federal Council decided to extend for one year the preventive freeze on the assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine. The purpose of this decision is to support the judicial cooperation between Switzerland and these two states.

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