Press releases

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The President of the Confederation to attend the Chernobyl Summit in Kiev

15.04.2011 — Press releases EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, will travel to the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, on Tuesday, 19 April 2011 to attend the Summit marking the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster. The theme of the Summit is safer and innovative uses of nuclear energy.

IMF and World Bank 2011 Spring Meetings

13.04.2011 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf as head of the Swiss delegation, Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann and Philipp Hildebrand, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), will take part in the joint Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Washington from 15 to 16 April 2011. The most important topics of discussion in the International Monetary and Financial Committee will be the state of the global economy and the future role of the IMF in the international financial and monetary system. The focus of the discussions in the Development Committee (DC) will be the volatility of food prices, reforms to the World Bank and the progress on achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Official visit to Vienna by Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey

11.04.2011 — Press releases EDA
Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey paid a visit to Vienna on 11 April 2011 for official talks. She was greeted with military honours by Austrian President Heinz Fischer, and met with Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann in the afternoon. She also used this occasion for a meeting with Yukiya Amano, Secretary General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The President of the Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, to travel to Vienna

05.04.2011 — Press releases EDA
On Monday 11 April 2011, the President of the Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, will travel to Vienna for official talks. She will be received with military honours by the Austrian Federal President, Heinz Fischer, and in the afternoon she will meet the Federal Chancellor, Werner Faymann. The talks will focus on bilateral relations, Swiss-EU relations and current regional and international issues of common interest.

The SDC reaches out to the public to celebrate its 50th anniversary

05.04.2011 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland has been committed to the fight against poverty for fifty years. To highlight its action and enable the public to discover its many activities, Swiss Development and Cooperation (SDC) is organising street events in several Swiss cities. The first event will take place on 7 April in Geneva in the presence of Toni Frisch, Deputy Director-General of the SDC. Other cities will follow. Under the motto "Fifty Years SDC – More than Aid", the SDC's jubilee will also be marked by discussions, lectures and film series throughout the year.

Federal President Micheline Calmy-Rey in Armenia

29.03.2011 — Press releases EDA
Federal President Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will be in Armenia for an official visit from 31 March to 1 April 2011. Her program will include not just official talks but also the ceremonial opening of the Swiss embassy in the capital of Yerevan.

Official working visit by Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi to President of the Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey

29.03.2011 — Press releases EDA
President of the Swiss Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey today received Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi for an official working visit. Their talks focused on bilateral relations and on international and multilateral issues.

Belgium has decided not to go on with the proceedings against Switzerland which it brought before the International Court of Justice

25.03.2011 — Press releases EDA
Belgium has informed the International Court of Justice that it does not intend to go on with the proceedings instituted against Switzerland in December 2009. Belgium claimed that in its ruling of 30 September 2008 the Federal Court had stated that Switzerland would not recognise a future decision by Belgian courts on the liability of SAirGroup/SAirlines in the bankruptcy of Sabena. However, the Federal Court had not ruled on the issue of the recognition of a possible future Belgian decision.

Humanitarian Aid holds annual convention held against a difficult background

25.03.2011 — Press releases EDA
The Swiss Confederation's Humanitarian Aid Conference was held against the backdrop of the disasters in Japan and the conflict in Libya. It was a special event not only on account of the tense situation, but also because there were various anniversaries to be marked – and because it was the last conference chaired by the outgoing Delegate for Humanitarian Aid, Toni Frisch.

Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey meets Israeli President Shimon Peres

25.03.2011 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey will meet Israeli President Shimon Peres in Geneva on Monday, 28 March 2011. Their talks will focus on bilateral issues, developments in north Africa and the Middle East peace process.

Attack in West Jerusalem

23.03.2011 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) strongly condemns the attack carried out today in West Jerusalem in which one person was killed and around twenty people were injured. The FDFA is deeply concerned at the escalation of violence in Israel and the occupied territories and is calling on all parties to exercise restraint.

Swiss Embassy transferred to Osaka

22.03.2011 — Press releases EDA
Due to the uncertain conditions in the greater metropolitan area of Tokyo, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, FDFA, has decided to temporarily transfer the Swiss Embassy in Japan to Osaka. From there, and to the extent possible, it will continue to help Swiss nationals who are seeking to leave the country. The FDFA is advising all Swiss nationals to leave the greater area of Tokyo and the north east of Japan.

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.

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.

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.

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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