Here you can find the last 12 media releases and other news published by the FDFA, such as statements, announcements and articles, in chronological order.
All media releases can be found on the Administarions's website.
Here you can find the last 12 media releases and other news published by the FDFA, such as statements, announcements and articles, in chronological order.
All media releases can be found on the Administarions's website.
25.04.2018
—
Media release
EDA
At its meeting on 25 April 2018, the Federal Council approved a budget of CHF 40 million for the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for the 2019–21 period. With this decision, Switzerland will, in the coming years, support 44 million farmers in remote areas where poverty is especially widespread. In the previous 2010–15 period, IFAD projects reached approximately 139 million people, for example by establishing rural savings banks that issue small loans to fund economic activities.
25.04.2018
—
Media release
EDA
On the occasion of the second Syria conference, held by the EU and UN in Brussels on 24-25 April, Switzerland is increasing its commitment to the Syrian crisis. In 2018 it will allocate CHF 61 million to support the population in need in Syria and neighbouring countries and a further CHF 7 million to promote peace in the region. Switzerland was represented at the conference by the FDFA's Deputy State Secretary Krystyna Marty.
25.04.2018
—
Media release
EDA
The Federal Council wishes to ensure that the existing mutual rights and obligations between Switzerland and the UK will continue to apply after the UK leaves the EU. In view of the EU-UK transition period, the Federal Council has, at its meeting on 25 April 2018,adjusted its Mind the Gap Strategy adopted in October 2016 and introduced the next steps to be taken.
25.04.2018
—
Media release
EDA
As part of the structural reforms agreed by the Federal Council on 8 November 2017, the FDFA has informed the Federal Council, at its meeting on 25 April 2018, of the closure by 31 December 2018 of the Consulate General of Switzerland in Karachi (Pakistan) and the Consulate General of Switzerland in Los Angeles (United States).
25.04.2018
—
Media release
EDA
On Wednesday, 25 April, the German president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, arrived in Switzerland for a state visit, accompanied by his wife, Elke Büdenbender, and was greeted by the Federal Council, led by President Alain Berset. Official talks focused on bilateral relations, European policy, and cooperation between the two countries in an international context. Both sides stressed the advantages arising from their intensive cooperation.
23.04.2018
—
Media release
EDA
Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) Ignazio Cassis received the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Alfonso Dastis Quecedo in Bern on Monday for an official working visit covering bilateral political and economic issues, including the issue of Catalonia, relations with the European Union (EU) and current international events. Mr Dastis's visit was also an opportunity to discuss the two countries' work and cooperation at the multilateral level.
19.04.2018
—
Media release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer as Head of the Swiss delegation, Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann and Thomas Jordan, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, will attend the joint Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Washington from 20 to 22 April 2018.
13.04.2018
—
Media release
EDA
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is gripped by one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The country now also faces a cholera epidemic, while millions of its people are dependent on humanitarian assistance. Representatives of several states and humanitarian organisations met today in Geneva to support the international response to this crisis. This was the first high-level humanitarian conference devoted to the DRC. Switzerland will provide CHF 12.5 million this year to support emergency operations in the country.
13.04.2018
—
Media release
EDA
Representatives of Poland, Sweden and Switzerland, Member States of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) in Korea, met in New York City on 12–13 April 2018 for their annual consultations. The discussion focused on the current situation on the Korean Peninsula and its impact on the activities of the NNSC. The representatives also evaluated the operational tasks of the NNSC and reaffirmed their long-term commitment to contributing to a permanent peace solution on the Korean Peninsula. In addition, the NNSC Member States exchanged views with several high-level UN staff on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and on the work of NNSC.
11.04.2018
—
Media release
EDA
The competent authority for implementing the Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad (PSSA) has published its second annual report, covering the period from 1 January to 31 December 2017. In its review of some 450 declarations submitted by private security companies, no violations of the federal act were found.
10.04.2018
—
Media release
EDA
The Federal Council invited the president of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, to pay a state visit to Switzerland to underscore and further deepen the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries. President Alain Berset will receive Germany’s head of state on Wednesday 25 April.
10.04.2018
—
Media release
EDA
With an official development assistance (ODA) rate of 0.46% of its gross national income (GNI), Switzerland ranked in 2017 in the top third of donor countries according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Switzerland remained 8th out of the 29 member states of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), which published its ranking yesterday. In 2017, the amount of ODA spent on receiving asylum seekers from developing countries during their first year in Switzerland was significantly less than in 2016. The ratio of ODA to GNI in non-asylum related areas also decreased in 2017 as a result of cost-cutting measures passed by Parliament.