Exchange of information and closer cooperation: Federal Councillor Burkhalter to attend meeting of German-speaking foreign ministers in Salzburg

26.07.2017 — Media release EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, will take part in the annual meeting of German-speaking foreign ministers in Salzburg on 27 July 2017. The event is an opportunity for Mr Burkhalter to meet with his counterparts from key partner countries – Austria, Germany, the Principality of Liechtenstein and Luxembourg – and to hold in-depth discussions on matters of common interest.

Forest fires in Montenegro: the Federal Council decides to dispatch an Armed Forces helicopter to support firefighting efforts

20.07.2017 — Media release EDA
On 20 July 2017, the Federal Council decided to dispatch a Swiss Armed Forces Super Puma helicopter from Switzerland to Montenegro to help fight forest fires. The helicopter is already en route to Tivat, where it will replace a KFOR helicopter which had been redeployed from Pristina to Tivat yesterday to provide initial support.

Montenegro wildfires: Switzerland deploys a helicopter and sends a detachment

19.07.2017 — Media release EDA
Fires have been raging in Montenegro for several days, devastating a number of areas. The scale of the situation has led the country's authorities to ask for international assistance. Today, Switzerland is dispatching a Swiss army helicopter from the KFOR base in Kosovo and a humanitarian team from Bern.

Switzerland an active participant at the 2017 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

19.07.2017 — Media release EDA
On Wednesday, 19 July 2017, the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) at UN headquarters in New York comes to an end. The forum is an annual event held for the purpose of reviewing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015. One year ago, 22 countries, including Switzerland, reported to the forum on their initial measures for implementation of the 2030 Agenda; this year, national implementation reports were presented by double that number of countries. In addition, thematic evaluations focusing on specific SDGs were conducted, with Switzerland playing an active role in the deliberations.

Ambassador Thomas Greminger appointed OSCE Secretary General: Switzerland now with a renewed stake in Europe's cooperative security

18.07.2017 — Media release EDA
Switzerland welcomes the appointment of Ambassador Thomas Greminger as Secretary General of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). "This new OSCE appointment reflects our desire to make a tangible long-term contribution to the security of Europe through cooperation," said Federal Councillor and head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) Didier Burkhalter. Mr Burkhalter thanked the Austrian Chairmanship of the OSCE and all the participating states for arriving at the consensus in the Ministerial Council so essential to ensuring the efficient functioning of this institution built on dialogue and joint action.

Swiss school students grapple with the memory of the Holocaust

14.07.2017 — Article EDA

In order to approach the difficult subject of the Holocaust, school teachers from Biel and Geneva asked their students to translate several notebook memoirs written by survivors. We met the students from Biel and Geneva and asked them what they took away from this experience.

Death of Liu Xiaobo – FDFA Statement

14.07.2017 — Media release EDA
Switzerland is profoundly saddened by the death of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo and expresses its sincere condolences to his family.

Kooperationsstrategie Schweiz-Benin auf Präsidialebene lanciert

13.07.2017 — Media release EDA
Bundespräsidentin Doris Leuthard hat am Donnerstag, 13. Juli 2017, in Benins Hauptstadt Cotonou Präsident Patrice Talon getroffen. Im Zentrum des Besuchs standen die Vertiefung der bilateralen Beziehungen sowie die gemeinsamen Ziele auf internationaler Ebene. Benin ist seit 1981 ein Schwerpunktland der Direktion für Entwicklung und Zusammenarbeit (DEZA). Anlässlich des Besuchs wurde auf Präsidialebene die Schweizer Kooperationsstrategie für Benin 2017-2020 lanciert.

The OSCE is the best chance for security in Europe

11.07.2017 — Media release EDA
"Switzerland considers the OSCE to be the best chance for security in Europe," said Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), on Tuesday at the opening of the OSCE Informal Ministerial Meeting in Mauerbach on the outskirts of Vienna. In view of the precariousness of situation on the ground, Mr Burkhalter, who recently travelled to Ukraine, also stressed how important it is for the OSCE to continue its security and humanitarian aid efforts in Ukraine.

OSCE ministerial meeting: Switzerland firmly believes that dialogue and joint action are the drivers of greater security in Europe

10.07.2017 — Media release EDA
On Tuesday, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will travel to Austria to attend the Informal Ministerial Meeting of the Organization for Co-operation and Security in Europe (OSCE) in Mauerbach near Vienna which will be devoted to the issue of security in Europe under the motto, ‘Building Trust through Dialogue and Co-operation’. At the meeting, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) will reaffirm the high priority that Switzerland accords the OSCE in its efforts to strengthen security in Europe, and will give its first assessment of the structured dialogue launched by the OSCE at the beginning of the year to address in detail the main political and military issues concerning the security of the continent.

Switzerland welcomes approval of UN resolution regarding the Statistical Commission’s work on 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

06.07.2017 — Media release EDA
On 6 July 2017 the UN General Assembly approved the statistical resolution entitled “Work of the UN Statistical Commission pertaining to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. Switzerland made a decisive contribution to the approval of this resolution and was actively involved in its elaboration.

Strengthening education systems in the poorest countries: Switzerland supports the efforts of the Global Partnership for Education

05.07.2017 — Media release EDA
At its meeting on 5 July 2017, the Federal Council approved the continuation of Switzerland's financial contribution to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) for the 2017 to 2020 period, in the amount of CHF 36 million. The GPE is a priority fund for the SDC's multilateral cooperation work. Through its support for the education systems of the world's poorest countries, it is helping to ensure that everyone can attend school, and thanks to its backing, an additional 64 million children were enrolled in school in 2014.

Exchange of information and closer cooperation: Federal Councillor Burkhalter to attend meeting of German-speaking foreign ministers in Salzburg

26.07.2017 — Media release EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, will take part in the annual meeting of German-speaking foreign ministers in Salzburg on 27 July 2017. The event is an opportunity for Mr Burkhalter to meet with his counterparts from key partner countries – Austria, Germany, the Principality of Liechtenstein and Luxembourg – and to hold in-depth discussions on matters of common interest.

Forest fires in Montenegro: the Federal Council decides to dispatch an Armed Forces helicopter to support firefighting efforts

20.07.2017 — Media release EDA
On 20 July 2017, the Federal Council decided to dispatch a Swiss Armed Forces Super Puma helicopter from Switzerland to Montenegro to help fight forest fires. The helicopter is already en route to Tivat, where it will replace a KFOR helicopter which had been redeployed from Pristina to Tivat yesterday to provide initial support.

Montenegro wildfires: Switzerland deploys a helicopter and sends a detachment

19.07.2017 — Media release EDA
Fires have been raging in Montenegro for several days, devastating a number of areas. The scale of the situation has led the country's authorities to ask for international assistance. Today, Switzerland is dispatching a Swiss army helicopter from the KFOR base in Kosovo and a humanitarian team from Bern.

Switzerland an active participant at the 2017 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

19.07.2017 — Media release EDA
On Wednesday, 19 July 2017, the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) at UN headquarters in New York comes to an end. The forum is an annual event held for the purpose of reviewing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015. One year ago, 22 countries, including Switzerland, reported to the forum on their initial measures for implementation of the 2030 Agenda; this year, national implementation reports were presented by double that number of countries. In addition, thematic evaluations focusing on specific SDGs were conducted, with Switzerland playing an active role in the deliberations.

Ambassador Thomas Greminger appointed OSCE Secretary General: Switzerland now with a renewed stake in Europe's cooperative security

18.07.2017 — Media release EDA
Switzerland welcomes the appointment of Ambassador Thomas Greminger as Secretary General of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). "This new OSCE appointment reflects our desire to make a tangible long-term contribution to the security of Europe through cooperation," said Federal Councillor and head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) Didier Burkhalter. Mr Burkhalter thanked the Austrian Chairmanship of the OSCE and all the participating states for arriving at the consensus in the Ministerial Council so essential to ensuring the efficient functioning of this institution built on dialogue and joint action.

Death of Liu Xiaobo – FDFA Statement

14.07.2017 — Media release EDA
Switzerland is profoundly saddened by the death of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo and expresses its sincere condolences to his family.

Kooperationsstrategie Schweiz-Benin auf Präsidialebene lanciert

13.07.2017 — Media release EDA
Bundespräsidentin Doris Leuthard hat am Donnerstag, 13. Juli 2017, in Benins Hauptstadt Cotonou Präsident Patrice Talon getroffen. Im Zentrum des Besuchs standen die Vertiefung der bilateralen Beziehungen sowie die gemeinsamen Ziele auf internationaler Ebene. Benin ist seit 1981 ein Schwerpunktland der Direktion für Entwicklung und Zusammenarbeit (DEZA). Anlässlich des Besuchs wurde auf Präsidialebene die Schweizer Kooperationsstrategie für Benin 2017-2020 lanciert.

The OSCE is the best chance for security in Europe

11.07.2017 — Media release EDA
"Switzerland considers the OSCE to be the best chance for security in Europe," said Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), on Tuesday at the opening of the OSCE Informal Ministerial Meeting in Mauerbach on the outskirts of Vienna. In view of the precariousness of situation on the ground, Mr Burkhalter, who recently travelled to Ukraine, also stressed how important it is for the OSCE to continue its security and humanitarian aid efforts in Ukraine.

OSCE ministerial meeting: Switzerland firmly believes that dialogue and joint action are the drivers of greater security in Europe

10.07.2017 — Media release EDA
On Tuesday, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will travel to Austria to attend the Informal Ministerial Meeting of the Organization for Co-operation and Security in Europe (OSCE) in Mauerbach near Vienna which will be devoted to the issue of security in Europe under the motto, ‘Building Trust through Dialogue and Co-operation’. At the meeting, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) will reaffirm the high priority that Switzerland accords the OSCE in its efforts to strengthen security in Europe, and will give its first assessment of the structured dialogue launched by the OSCE at the beginning of the year to address in detail the main political and military issues concerning the security of the continent.

Switzerland welcomes approval of UN resolution regarding the Statistical Commission’s work on 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

06.07.2017 — Media release EDA
On 6 July 2017 the UN General Assembly approved the statistical resolution entitled “Work of the UN Statistical Commission pertaining to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. Switzerland made a decisive contribution to the approval of this resolution and was actively involved in its elaboration.

Strengthening education systems in the poorest countries: Switzerland supports the efforts of the Global Partnership for Education

05.07.2017 — Media release EDA
At its meeting on 5 July 2017, the Federal Council approved the continuation of Switzerland's financial contribution to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) for the 2017 to 2020 period, in the amount of CHF 36 million. The GPE is a priority fund for the SDC's multilateral cooperation work. Through its support for the education systems of the world's poorest countries, it is helping to ensure that everyone can attend school, and thanks to its backing, an additional 64 million children were enrolled in school in 2014.

Switzerland welcomes newly adopted International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance strategy framework at plenary meeting in Geneva

29.06.2017 — Media release EDA
At its plenary meeting in Geneva under Switzerland's chairmanship, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) has adopted its first strategy framework to increase the impact of its efforts to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive and prevent future genocides. Benno Bättig, secretary general of the FDFA and current IHRA chair, praised the work of the IHRA delegates in Geneva.

Swiss school students grapple with the memory of the Holocaust

14.07.2017 — Article EDA

In order to approach the difficult subject of the Holocaust, school teachers from Biel and Geneva asked their students to translate several notebook memoirs written by survivors. We met the students from Biel and Geneva and asked them what they took away from this experience.

Students from the French-speaking part of Switzerland translate Memoirs of Holocaust survivors

26.06.2017 — Article EDA

On the occasion of the first plenary meeting under Swiss chairmanship of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance on 26^th June in Geneva, students from Geneva and Bienne present the outcome of their work. They worked for many months to translate the Memoirs of the Holocaust survivors who live in Switzerland.

Promoting democracy in developing countries: a futile effort?

11.05.2017 — Article DEZA

An event on the topic of ‘Promoting Democracy in Developing Countries: an Exercise in Futility?’ was held at the University of Zurich on 11 May 2017 as part of the FDFA’s Democracy without Borders initiative launched by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter. The event, organised together with NCCR Democracy, sparked much interest. A talk by Ambassador Thomas Greminger was followed by a discussion with panellists from the academic community, NGOs and think tanks.

"Meetings between students and Holocaust survivors remain the best way of fighting Holocaust denial"

07.03.2017 — Article EDA

This year, Switzerland is assuming the chairmanship of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. Its new chair, FDFA secretary general Benno Bättig, discusses his role, Switzerland's priorities and the importance of raising youth awareness.

Women respond to the effects of climate change and natural disasters

06.03.2017 — Article DEZA

Women generally suffer more than men do from the effects of climate change and natural disasters. This observation leads the SDC to develop a targeted strategy of supporting projects in which women play an important role in their own social and economic emancipation.

Nominations, retirements and new ambassadors

03.03.2017 — EDA
A personnel change for the position of head of the Swiss representation in Nepal has been planned. It will coincide with the usual transfers for early 2018 in line with the decision taken by the Federal Council. The nomination will take effect as soon as the authorities of the host country have given their approval. The Federal Council would like to extend its warmest thanks to Ambassador Jörg Frieden for his service as he enters retirement.

Three priorities for dialogue and joint action: Conflict prevention, the strengthening of joint capabilities and the effective implementation of the rights of every human being

27.02.2017 — EDA
Geneva, 27.02.2017 - Speech by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter at the occasion of the opening at the 34th session of the Human Rights Council - Check against delivery

The Human Rights Council: “human rights are a joint response to a harsher, more uncertain world”

27.02.2017 — EDA
"In a world which is turning in on itself, we perceive less of a desire for joint action and more of a calling into question of the international framework for human rights," said Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter on Monday in Geneva at the opening of the 34th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC). "And yet, human rights are precisely the strong response we need to the questions facing us in this harsher, more uncertain world," he said. Switzerland proposed three priorities to guide joint dialogue and action in favour of human rights: conflict prevention, a strengthening of collective capacities and the genuine implementation of the rights of every human being.

Famine in Africa: Switzerland pledges CHF 15 million to support emergency relief

24.02.2017 — EDA
Switzerland has pledged to take direct action to help populations facing starvation, especially in South Sudan. The decision follows a call issued by the United Nations Secretary-General on 22 February 2017. Swiss Humanitarian Aid, a department of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), is to release CHF 15 million from its fund for humanitarian emergencies for countries hit by famine in the beginning of this year.

FDFA Helpline has answered 250,000 enquiries from Swiss citizens since 2011

24.02.2017 — EDA
What is the current security situation in Tunisia? How can I apply for a new Swiss passport? My identity card was stolen in Barcelona - what do I have to do to be able to board a flight home? My son has been involved in a traffic accident in Thailand - what can be done to help him? The FDFA Helpline answers these and many other enquiries around the clock by telephone and email. The 250,000th enquiry was received in the night of 23 to 24 February 2017.

State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl to coordinate negotiations with EU starting 1 April 2017

22.02.2017 — EDA
Pascale Baeriswyl will take over the coordination of Switzerland’s negotiations with the European Union (EU) from Jacques de Watteville. During its session on Wednesday 22 February 2017, the Federal Council tasked the State Secretary of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) with pursuing the coordination of the discussions with the EU, together with the negotiators in charge of different dossiers, as of 1 April.

New head of swissnex India and consul general of Switzerland in Bangalore

21.02.2017 — EDA
Sébastien Hug has been appointed head of swissnex India and consul general of Switzerland in Bangalore. He will take up his post in November 2017.