26.10.2009
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Press releases
EDA
26.10.2009
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Press releases
EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs has been the target of a professional virus attack. Analyses are currently in progress in order to determine whether the IT system has been damaged. The FDFA has isolated its IT network from the Internet.
22.10.2009
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, today received the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Miguel Angel Moratinos for a working visit and luncheon. Spain will assume the EU Presidency on 1 January 2010 and, in this capacity, will be a particularly crucial discussion partner for Switzerland.
19.10.2009
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Press releases
EDA
On Monday, Federal President Hans-Rudolf Merz met the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, during his official visit to Berne. The topics discussed by the statesmen included the development of cultural and economic relationships between Switzerland and Azerbaijan, cooperation with multilateral financial institutions, and the strengthening of cooperation in the energy field. This morning, President Aliyev was received by Alain Berset, President of the Council of States.
19.10.2009
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Press releases
EDA
16.10.2009
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Press releases
EDA
An expert seminar has been held on Friday in Geneva on Global Institutions and Global Governance: Lessons Learned and Ways Ahead. This event was organised by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) in conjunction with the Centre for International Governance.
16.10.2009
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Press releases
EDA
Can migration be a driving force behind development? The latest report on human development published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) delves into this very issue. The report points out how migration can be better utilized in reaching development goals. Cognizant of the major role migration plays in development policy, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is strengthening its previous commitment within the scope of a Global Programme.
15.10.2009
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Press releases
EDA
Are large-scale investments in agricultural land in the countries of the South an opportunity for food security or do they instead represent a risk? This is the issue that will be addressed by domestic and foreign experts at a scientific symposium scheduled to be held in Bern on 15 October 2009 on the eve of World Food Day (16 October).
15.10.2009
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Press releases
EDA
Failure to adequately deal with the past can revive conflicts. Switzerland seeks to prevent the resurgence of conflict through its global commitment to helping post-conflict societies make amends. At the annual conference of the FDFA’s Political Affairs Division IV: Human Security, which took place in Bern today, the responsibility of the State was highlighted from various angles. Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay, the Head of the UN Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict Richard Goldstone and other local and foreign dignitaries attended this public gathering, which drew over 450 participants.
09.10.2009
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Press releases
EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), who arrived yesterday in Bishkek, was today received by the Prime Minister Igor Chudinov and subsequently met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baktygul Kalambekova.
09.10.2009
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Press releases
EDA
A ceremony to mark the signing of the Protocols between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey will take place tomorrow in Zurich. Armenia’s Foreign Minister, Edouard Nalbandian, and Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, will sign the Protocols in the presence of Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey. The signing ceremony will also be attended by US Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, the French Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner, the Slovenian Foreign Minister and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Samuel Zbogar, and the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union, Javier Solana. The signing is the culmination of a mediation process on the part of Switzerland initiated at the request of the parties.
08.10.2009
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey was received yesterday by the President of Uzbekistan, Mr. Islam Karimov, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Vladimir Norov. Discussions focussed on bilateral relations and cooperation within multilateral organisations.