Press releases

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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.

La Suisse participe à New York à la conférence sur la solution à deux Etats et se joint à un appel demandant à Israël de lever les restrictions médicales pour les patients de Gaza (fr)

23.09.2025 — Press releases EDA
Conformément aux efforts déployés depuis longtemps par la Suisse en faveur d'une solution politique au conflit au Proche-Orient, le conseiller fédéral Ignazio Cassis a participé à New York à la conférence sur la solution à deux États. Cette conférence est une reprise de la réunion de haut-niveau tenue au mois de juillet dans le cadre de l’Assemblée générale de l’ONU sur le même sujet. En outre, la Suisse s’est jointe à une déclaration commune de plusieurs Etats pour demander à Israël de lever les restrictions sur les médicaments et les équipements médicaux, et de rouvrir le corridor d’évacuation médicale de Gaza vers la Cisjordanie, y compris Jérusalem-Est.

Presentation of credentials

18.09.2025 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present their credentials

Sri Lankan parliamentary delegation visits Switzerland to discuss federalism, democracy and reconciliation

18.09.2025 — Press releases EDA
From 14 to 21 September 2025, a delegation of 12 Sri Lankan lawmakers and high-level political decision-makers, including members of the government and the opposition, is visiting Switzerland at the invitation of the FDFA. The trip was jointly organised by the Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) and the Swiss embassy in Colombo, and focuses on federalism, democracy and reconciliation.

Ignazio Cassis on working visit to Vienna to discuss Swiss 2026 OSCE chairpersonship

15.09.2025 — Press releases EDA
The head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, will be in Vienna from 17 to 18 September 2025. During his visit, he will present Switzerland's priorities for its 2026 Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) chairpersonship to the OSCE Permanent Council. Mr Cassis will also meet with the Austrian minister for Europe, integration and family, Ms Claudia Plakolm.

Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria: Switzerland invests CHF 64 million and confirms Geneva's role as global capital of health

12.09.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 12 September 2025, the Federal Council decided to earmark CHF 64 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for the period 2026–28. Through this support, Switzerland is helping to save millions of lives, prevent the spread of infectious diseases and strengthen healthcare systems in the most vulnerable countries. It is also reaffirming Geneva's role as the global capital of health and a key location for multilateralism.

Karin Keller-Sutter and Ignazio Cassis to represent Switzerland at opening of 80th UN General Assembly

12.09.2025 — Press releases EDA
Bern, 12. September 2025 – At its meeting on 12 September, the Federal Council was briefed on the outcome of the consultation of the foreign affairs committees in the run-up to the upcoming 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Switzerland will be represented by President Karin Keller-Sutter and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at the high-level week from 22 to 30 September 2025.

Switzerland allocates CHF 1 million to support earthquake victims in Afghanistan

03.09.2025 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland has decided to allocate CHF 1 million to help those affected by the earthquake in Afghanistan. Three days after the disaster, the death toll stands at over 1,400, with 3,000 injured. The affected areas, located in the east of the country near the border with Pakistan, are difficult to access, which is complicating relief efforts.

Meeting with Ukraine's prime minister

28.08.2025 — Press releases EDA
Karin Keller-Sutter, President of the Swiss Confederation, hosted Yuliia Svyrydenko, Prime Minister of Ukraine, for a courtesy visit on 28 August 2025 in Bern. The talks focused on the peace process and the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Media (3525)

Official Visit to Switzerland by UNRWA Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi

10.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
UNRWA Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi is on an official visit to Switzerland from 10 to 12 September 2012. On Monday he held talks in Berne with State Secretary Yves Rossier, Director-General of the SDC Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Martin Dahinden, Federal Council Delegate for Humanitarian Aid Manuel Bessler and various members of parliament. Switzerland has decided to pledge an additional one million Swiss francs in support of Palestinian refugees affected by the conflict in Syria.

Anniversary of Switzerland joining the UN: official visit by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (last modification, the 07.09.2012)

07.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will pay an official visit to Switzerland on 10 and 11 September, when Switzerland will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its membership of the United Nations. Mr Ban will meet the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mrs Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, and Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the FDFA. Mr Ban will also speak before the Federal Assembly. This is a rare event.

Raumtransporter Albert Einstein macht den ersten Schritt auf dem Weg zur Internationalen Raumstation ISS

07.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
Die europäischen Raumtransporter vom Typ ATV sind wichtige Bestandteile in der Versorgungslogistik der Internationalen Raumstation ISS. Diese Raumschiffe transportieren Güter für die Besatzung der Raumstation, wissenschaftliche Experimente, Wasser und Treibstoff und erlauben Orbitalmanöver. Der vierte in der Serie dieser geräumigen Transporter hat am 29. August die Integrationshallen der Firma Astrium GmbH in Bremen verlassen und befindet sich jetzt auf dem Weg zum Startgelände in Kourou, Französisch-Guayana. Die ESA hat ATV4 auf Vorschlag der Schweizer Delegation auf den Namen Albert Einstein getauft.

Switzerland presents the United Nations with an apiary to celebrate 10 years of UN membership

07.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
Ten years ago Switzerland became the 190th member state of the UN. To mark this milestone the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, will present UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, with a symbolic and original gift of an apiary to be set up in the grounds of Ariana Park, the UN headquarters in Geneva. The presentation will take place on Monday 10 September 2012.

Amendment to the Ordinance on measures against certain persons from the Arab Republic of Egypt

06.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has amended the annex to the Ordinance on measures against certain persons from the Arab Republic of Egypt. The amendment has been made in consultation with the Egyptian authorities and enters into force on 6 September 2012. The annex to the Ordinance now contains the names of 31 natural persons whose assets have been frozen in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance.

Visit to Paris of Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter

05.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter will visit Paris for an official working visit on Thursday 6 September. He will meet the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Laurent Fabius. During the working visit the two ministers will discuss bilateral, European and international matters. This will be the first official visit by Mr Burkhalter to Mr Laurent Fabius, an official meeting with Mr Alain Juppé took place at the beginning of the year. Meetings are also planned with the Minister of European Affairs Mr Bernard Cazeneuve and with the Secretary General of Francophonie, Mr Abdou Diouf.

20 years of Swiss membership of IMF and World Bank

04.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
On 7 and 8 September 2012 in Montreux, a meeting of the Swiss constituency in the IMF and World Bank will take place on the occasion of its 20th anniversary. President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann and Thomas Jordan, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, will attend for Switzerland. Membership of the Bretton Woods Institutions is of particular importance for an economically open country with a major financial centre like Switzerland.

Official visit to Bern by the Hungarian Foreign Minister János Martonyi

03.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), today received his Hungarian counterpart Janos Martonyi for an official working visit at the Von Wattenwyl House in Bern. In addition to bilateral relations, the talks covered the European policy of both countries, aspects of multilateral cooperation, and current international issues.

Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter receives Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders for political talks

31.08.2012 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will meet his Belgian counterpart next Tuesday in Neuchatel for working talks on bilateral, european and international topics. The Belgian Foreign Minister will also pay a courtesy visit to President of the Confederation Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf. On Monday he will present members of the State Council of the Canton Valais and of the Town Council of Sierre with an award in recognition of their activity following the coach accident in March.

Official visit of Guatemalan Foreign Minister Harold Caballeros in Bern (last modification, the 27.08.2012)

27.08.2012 — Press releases EDA
On 27 August 2012, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received the Guatemalan Foreign Minister Harold Caballeros for an official working visit in Bern. The two foreign ministers discussed bilateral matters, including the projects Switzerland is supporting in Guatemala, as well as current international issues.

Opening of the 2012 Ambassadors and International Network Conference

22.08.2012 — Press releases EDA
The 2012 Ambassadors and International Network Conference was opened in Bern with a speech by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter. The three-day event, which is entitled "Die Schweiz in der Welt - Vision 2022: ein Jahrzehnt gestalten" [Switzerland's role in the world – Vision 2022: shaping a decade], will address the possible development of foreign policy in the next ten years A number of different scenarios and challenges will be discussed in plenary sessions and by working groups.

The Federal Council seeks to better protect the Marine Environment

22.08.2012 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council seeks to contribute to enhancing the protection of the marine environment. On Wednesday, it adopted a draft Federal Decree on the approval of four conventions under the aegis of the International Maritime Organization (OMI). The Federal Council also proposes a modification of the Federal Act on Navigation under the Swiss Flag so as to be able to autonomously adhere to maritime conventions in the future. The relevant Message will be transmitted to Parliament.

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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