Press releases

Immediate support for US peace plan in Middle East

05.11.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 5 November 2025, the FDFA informed the Federal Council of the short-term measures adopted to provide support to the US peace plan for the Middle East. Switzerland is providing technical expertise in the areas of international humanitarian law, disarmament and demining. It will be stepping up its humanitarian aid to Gaza, and also aims to strengthen the Palestinian Authority. To help implement these measures, the FDFA is releasing an additional CHF 20 million in funding.

80 years of UNESCO: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis takes part in General Conference in Uzbekistan

03.11.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 3 November 2025, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attended the 43rd session of UNESCO's General Conference. This year's edition is taking place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. In his speech, Mr Cassis emphasised UNESCO’s important role in tackling the global challenges related to new technologies and pointed out the significance of International Geneva and science diplomacy in this area.

FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel pays tribute to 50 years of trinational cooperation on the Upper Rhine

03.11.2025 — Press releases EDA
In Basel on Monday, 3 November 2025, State Secretary Alexandre Fasel attended the ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the Franco-German-Swiss Intergovernmental Commission for the promotion of cross-border cooperation in the Upper-Rhine region. He paid tribute to the long-standing and successful cooperation in the three-country region as a model of active cross-border partnership in Europe.

Switzerland extends support to Caribbean in wake of Hurricane Melissa

31.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
In response to the severe damage caused by Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean, Switzerland is stepping up its humanitarian efforts in the region. The FDFA has released over CHF 1 million to help those affected in Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica and is deploying nine specialists to Cuba to support the Red Cross there with the relief operations on the ground.

State visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa: Switzerland and South Africa strengthen relations

29.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
The state visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa is serving as an opportunity for Switzerland and South Africa to strengthen relations. On Wednesday, 29 October, five documents on future cooperation were signed. Prior to that, the South African president was received by the full Federal Council. Official talks focused on bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries at international level.

Ignazio Cassis in Iraq and Kuwait: new opportunities and partnerships

25.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis's official visit to Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait ends today. Following his official visit to Jordan on 22 October, the head of the FDFA travelled to Iraq and Kuwait from 23 to 25 October. This trip to the Middle East gave the head of the FDFA an opportunity to discuss the geopolitical challenges facing the region, such as the situation in the Gaza Strip. These three official visits also highlight the new perspectives for political, economic and humanitarian cooperation in a region in motion.

Situation in Gaza at heart of discussions between Ignazio Cassis and Ayman Safadi in Amman

24.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travelled to Amman on 22 October for an official visit to Jordan. There he met with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, for in-depth discussions on regional political developments, the humanitarian situation in Gaza and bilateral cooperation between Switzerland and Jordan. The conflict in the Middle East and the US's 20-point peace plan were at the heart of the talks.

Injured children to be evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment

24.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
As part of a humanitarian operation, Switzerland is evacuating an initial group of seven injured children from the Gaza Strip to Switzerland. The children and persons accompanying them will be hosted by seven Swiss cantons, where they will receive medical treatment at university and cantonal hospitals. They will also undergo an asylum procedure in Switzerland. The humanitarian operation has been jointly organised by several federal agencies and cantons, and is being carried out in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Swiss Air-Rescue Rega.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to pay state visit to Switzerland

23.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will pay a two-day state visit to Switzerland next week at the invitation of the Federal Council, led by President Karin Keller-Sutter. The visit aims to underscore and further deepen the close and multifaceted relationship between the two countries. South Africa is strategically important for Switzerland and ranks among its most important partners on the African continent.

La situation à Gaza au cœur des discussions entre les ministres des affaires étrangère Ignazio Cassis et Ayman Safadi à Amman

23.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
Le conseiller fédéral Ignazio Cassis s’est rendu à Amman le 22 octobre pour une visite officielle en Jordanie. Il y a rencontré son homologue, le ministre des Affaires étrangères Ayman Safadi, pour un échange approfondi sur les évolutions politiques régionales, la situation humanitaire à Gaza et la coopération bilatérale entre la Suisse et le Royaume hachémite. Le confit au Proche-Orient et le plan de paix en 20 points des Etats-Unis ont été au cœur des échanges.

Federal Council initiates consultation on Amending Protocol to Agreement between Switzerland and EU on automatic exchange of information in tax matters

22.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
During its meeting on 22 October 2025, the Federal Council launched the consultation on the Amending Protocol to the Agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) on the automatic exchange of financial account information to improve international tax compliance. The Agreement will be aligned with the amended OECD standard and also contains new provisions on administrative assistance for the recovery of VAT claims.

House of Switzerland 2028 in California – a showcase for Swiss creativity and innovation

22.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting today, the Federal Council decided to capitalise on the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles to promote Switzerland and its interests. California is one of the leading regions in the US for innovation, cutting-edge technology and entrepreneurship. The House of Switzerland will shine a spotlight on Switzerland's strengths in the creative industries, the tech sector, sport and health.

Immediate support for US peace plan in Middle East

05.11.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 5 November 2025, the FDFA informed the Federal Council of the short-term measures adopted to provide support to the US peace plan for the Middle East. Switzerland is providing technical expertise in the areas of international humanitarian law, disarmament and demining. It will be stepping up its humanitarian aid to Gaza, and also aims to strengthen the Palestinian Authority. To help implement these measures, the FDFA is releasing an additional CHF 20 million in funding.

80 years of UNESCO: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis takes part in General Conference in Uzbekistan

03.11.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 3 November 2025, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attended the 43rd session of UNESCO's General Conference. This year's edition is taking place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. In his speech, Mr Cassis emphasised UNESCO’s important role in tackling the global challenges related to new technologies and pointed out the significance of International Geneva and science diplomacy in this area.

FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel pays tribute to 50 years of trinational cooperation on the Upper Rhine

03.11.2025 — Press releases EDA
In Basel on Monday, 3 November 2025, State Secretary Alexandre Fasel attended the ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the Franco-German-Swiss Intergovernmental Commission for the promotion of cross-border cooperation in the Upper-Rhine region. He paid tribute to the long-standing and successful cooperation in the three-country region as a model of active cross-border partnership in Europe.

Switzerland extends support to Caribbean in wake of Hurricane Melissa

31.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
In response to the severe damage caused by Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean, Switzerland is stepping up its humanitarian efforts in the region. The FDFA has released over CHF 1 million to help those affected in Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica and is deploying nine specialists to Cuba to support the Red Cross there with the relief operations on the ground.

State visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa: Switzerland and South Africa strengthen relations

29.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
The state visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa is serving as an opportunity for Switzerland and South Africa to strengthen relations. On Wednesday, 29 October, five documents on future cooperation were signed. Prior to that, the South African president was received by the full Federal Council. Official talks focused on bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries at international level.

Ignazio Cassis in Iraq and Kuwait: new opportunities and partnerships

25.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis's official visit to Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait ends today. Following his official visit to Jordan on 22 October, the head of the FDFA travelled to Iraq and Kuwait from 23 to 25 October. This trip to the Middle East gave the head of the FDFA an opportunity to discuss the geopolitical challenges facing the region, such as the situation in the Gaza Strip. These three official visits also highlight the new perspectives for political, economic and humanitarian cooperation in a region in motion.

Situation in Gaza at heart of discussions between Ignazio Cassis and Ayman Safadi in Amman

24.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travelled to Amman on 22 October for an official visit to Jordan. There he met with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, for in-depth discussions on regional political developments, the humanitarian situation in Gaza and bilateral cooperation between Switzerland and Jordan. The conflict in the Middle East and the US's 20-point peace plan were at the heart of the talks.

Injured children to be evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment

24.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
As part of a humanitarian operation, Switzerland is evacuating an initial group of seven injured children from the Gaza Strip to Switzerland. The children and persons accompanying them will be hosted by seven Swiss cantons, where they will receive medical treatment at university and cantonal hospitals. They will also undergo an asylum procedure in Switzerland. The humanitarian operation has been jointly organised by several federal agencies and cantons, and is being carried out in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Swiss Air-Rescue Rega.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to pay state visit to Switzerland

23.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will pay a two-day state visit to Switzerland next week at the invitation of the Federal Council, led by President Karin Keller-Sutter. The visit aims to underscore and further deepen the close and multifaceted relationship between the two countries. South Africa is strategically important for Switzerland and ranks among its most important partners on the African continent.

La situation à Gaza au cœur des discussions entre les ministres des affaires étrangère Ignazio Cassis et Ayman Safadi à Amman

23.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
Le conseiller fédéral Ignazio Cassis s’est rendu à Amman le 22 octobre pour une visite officielle en Jordanie. Il y a rencontré son homologue, le ministre des Affaires étrangères Ayman Safadi, pour un échange approfondi sur les évolutions politiques régionales, la situation humanitaire à Gaza et la coopération bilatérale entre la Suisse et le Royaume hachémite. Le confit au Proche-Orient et le plan de paix en 20 points des Etats-Unis ont été au cœur des échanges.

Federal Council initiates consultation on Amending Protocol to Agreement between Switzerland and EU on automatic exchange of information in tax matters

22.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
During its meeting on 22 October 2025, the Federal Council launched the consultation on the Amending Protocol to the Agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) on the automatic exchange of financial account information to improve international tax compliance. The Agreement will be aligned with the amended OECD standard and also contains new provisions on administrative assistance for the recovery of VAT claims.

House of Switzerland 2028 in California – a showcase for Swiss creativity and innovation

22.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting today, the Federal Council decided to capitalise on the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles to promote Switzerland and its interests. California is one of the leading regions in the US for innovation, cutting-edge technology and entrepreneurship. The House of Switzerland will shine a spotlight on Switzerland's strengths in the creative industries, the tech sector, sport and health.

«Olma: Mirror of tradition, creation and innovation: Switzerland is tops!»

09.10.2014 — Article EDA

The President of the Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, gave a speech at the OLMA fair in which he highlighted the nationally cohesive character of the event.

The President of the Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey in talks with the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy

09.11.2011 — EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), met the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, for talks in Zurich on 9 November 2011. The topics of the discussion included the Swiss-EU relations, the debt crisis in the eurozone, co-operation on tax issues, and selected international issues.

Kidnapping of two Swiss citizens – statement by the FDFA

29.07.2011 — EDA
The FDFA has noted various new information published in the media regarding the two Swiss citizens kidnapped in Pakistan. The FDFA does not comment on such information.

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 ready to send aid to Japan

11.03.2011 — EDA
It is with great consternation that the Federal Council has learned of the natural disaster in the northeast of Japan. Switzerland is ready to send emergency aid to the area, and has already submitted a corresponding offer to the Japanese government.

Report “The Blue Peace: Rethinking Middle East Water” (last modification, the 18.02.2011)

10.02.2011 — EDA
On Thursday, 10 February 2011, Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey presented the report “The Blue Peace: Rethinking Middle East Water” to the Swiss Press Club in Geneva. Supported by Switzerland and by the Swedish government, the report compiles a list of 10 recommendations whose objective is to contribute to building peace and to reducing the conflicts in the Middle East thanks to a sustainable trans-border management of water in the region.

50 years

06.01.2011 — EDA
6 January 2011 marks 50 years of Switzerland representing American interests in Cuba. Switzerland accepted the mandate in 1961 following the Cuban revolution which led to the break-off of relations between Cuba and the US.