Switzerland to strengthen its presence in the House of Switzerland at the WEF in Davos

14.06.2019 — Press release EDA
At its meeting of 14 June 2019, the Federal Council decided to institutionalise the current House of Switzerland (HoS) at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. Under the aegis of Presence Switzerland, the HoS will be established in the home stadium of Hockey Club Davos to serve as a communication and networking platform for the official Swiss delegation to the WEF.

Ignazio Cassis inaugurates new Swiss embassy in Moscow and meets Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

13.06.2019 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will pay a working visit to Russia from 18 to 19 June 2019. The visit will focus on a working meeting with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the inauguration of the new Swiss embassy building in Moscow.

Switzerland holds dialogue round with Iran

13.06.2019 — Press release EDA
As part of annual bilateral consultations, a high-ranking Iranian delegation comprised of representatives of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and judiciary visited Switzerland on 12 and 13 June. Bilateral, regional and multilateral matters, as well as judicial and human rights issues, were discussed within the framework of the existing dialogue formats. The consultations were held against the backdrop of tensions that have recently affected regional and global stability. Switzerland and Iran also signed an agreement on good offices.

2018 annual report on international cooperation: commitment to sustainable development and a stable international environment

11.06.2019 — Press release EDA
In 2018, 700 million people were living in extreme poverty and 70 million people were displaced. Switzerland works to combat poverty, overcome global challenges like climate change and promote peace and human rights. This is a significant contribution to sustainable development and a stable international environment, as can be seen in the 2018 annual report on international cooperation published today by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER).

Switzerland renews support to UNHCR

07.06.2019 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council agreed at its meeting of 7 June 2019 to make a CHF 125 million contribution to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for the 2019–22 period. The large number of crises around the world in 2018 meant that more than 21 million people received assistance and protection from UNHCR programmes, which are primarily implemented in neighbouring regions. Switzerland's partnership with the UNHCR is key to implementing its strategy linking international cooperation and national migration interests. In addition, Switzerland promotes its priorities within the Executive Committee of the UNHCR, the UN's largest organisation headquartered in Geneva.

Institutional agreement Switzerland-EU: Federal Council to demand clarifications

07.06.2019 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council intends to consolidate and further develop the bilateral approach, the cornerstone of relations between Switzerland and the EU. This also requires the search for solutions to the institutional issues. At its meeting of 7 June 2019, it approved the report on the consultations on the institutional agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) and decided to demand clarifications. The Federal Council also underlined that maintaining the current level of wage protection was a key Swiss demand and that the social partners and the cantons would be closely involved in the next steps of the process.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo in Switzerland

02.06.2019 — Press release EDA
For the first time in two decades, a US secretary of state has visited Switzerland for bilateral talks. On Sunday 2 June 2019, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received his counterpart Michael Pompeo in Castelgrande in Bellinzona for an official working visit.

Federal Council launches consultations on two international inland navigation treaties

29.05.2019 — Press release EDA
At its meeting of 29 May 2019, the Federal Council initiated a consultation process regarding two international agreements on inland navigation – the Strasbourg Convention of 2012 on the limitation of liability in inland navigation and the Convention on the collection, deposit and reception of waste produced during navigation on the Rhine and Inland Waterways. Both areas covered by the treaties are already subject to regulation, but new factors require that the agreements be brought up-to-date. The first convention has been re-drafted and substantive provisions have been added to the second.

Fighting impunity: Federal Council adopts dispatch on amendments to the Rome Statute

29.05.2019 — Press release EDA
At its meeting on 29 May 2019 the Federal Council reaffirmed its commitment to fighting impunity for the most serious international crimes by adopting the dispatch on ratification of the amendments of 14 December 2017 to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). These amendments propose to extend the ICC's jurisdiction by adding the employment of biological weapons, blinding laser weapons and weapons that cause injury by fragments undetectable by x-rays to the list of punishable war crimes.

2,500 tonnes of relief supplies for eastern Ukraine

27.05.2019 — Press release EDA
Switzerland pursues its humanitarian aid efforts in the east of Ukraine. The SDC has sent another shipment of urgently needed supplies to the civilian population on both sides of the contact line in the conflict zone. It is the tenth consignment of humanitarian aid to eastern Ukraine since 2015. In accordance with humanitarian principles, Switzerland's direct action is supporting people regardless of which side of the contact line they live on.

First 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

27.05.2019 — Press release EDA
On 23 and 24 May 2019 a first 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.

FDFA appoints Matthias Egger to board of Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator foundation as representative of the Swiss Confederation

22.05.2019 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), has appointed Professor Matthias Egger to the board of the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator foundation.

Switzerland to strengthen its presence in the House of Switzerland at the WEF in Davos

14.06.2019 — Press release EDA
At its meeting of 14 June 2019, the Federal Council decided to institutionalise the current House of Switzerland (HoS) at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. Under the aegis of Presence Switzerland, the HoS will be established in the home stadium of Hockey Club Davos to serve as a communication and networking platform for the official Swiss delegation to the WEF.

Ignazio Cassis inaugurates new Swiss embassy in Moscow and meets Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

13.06.2019 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will pay a working visit to Russia from 18 to 19 June 2019. The visit will focus on a working meeting with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the inauguration of the new Swiss embassy building in Moscow.

Switzerland holds dialogue round with Iran

13.06.2019 — Press release EDA
As part of annual bilateral consultations, a high-ranking Iranian delegation comprised of representatives of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and judiciary visited Switzerland on 12 and 13 June. Bilateral, regional and multilateral matters, as well as judicial and human rights issues, were discussed within the framework of the existing dialogue formats. The consultations were held against the backdrop of tensions that have recently affected regional and global stability. Switzerland and Iran also signed an agreement on good offices.

2018 annual report on international cooperation: commitment to sustainable development and a stable international environment

11.06.2019 — Press release EDA
In 2018, 700 million people were living in extreme poverty and 70 million people were displaced. Switzerland works to combat poverty, overcome global challenges like climate change and promote peace and human rights. This is a significant contribution to sustainable development and a stable international environment, as can be seen in the 2018 annual report on international cooperation published today by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER).

Switzerland renews support to UNHCR

07.06.2019 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council agreed at its meeting of 7 June 2019 to make a CHF 125 million contribution to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for the 2019–22 period. The large number of crises around the world in 2018 meant that more than 21 million people received assistance and protection from UNHCR programmes, which are primarily implemented in neighbouring regions. Switzerland's partnership with the UNHCR is key to implementing its strategy linking international cooperation and national migration interests. In addition, Switzerland promotes its priorities within the Executive Committee of the UNHCR, the UN's largest organisation headquartered in Geneva.

Institutional agreement Switzerland-EU: Federal Council to demand clarifications

07.06.2019 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council intends to consolidate and further develop the bilateral approach, the cornerstone of relations between Switzerland and the EU. This also requires the search for solutions to the institutional issues. At its meeting of 7 June 2019, it approved the report on the consultations on the institutional agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) and decided to demand clarifications. The Federal Council also underlined that maintaining the current level of wage protection was a key Swiss demand and that the social partners and the cantons would be closely involved in the next steps of the process.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo in Switzerland

02.06.2019 — Press release EDA
For the first time in two decades, a US secretary of state has visited Switzerland for bilateral talks. On Sunday 2 June 2019, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received his counterpart Michael Pompeo in Castelgrande in Bellinzona for an official working visit.

Federal Council launches consultations on two international inland navigation treaties

29.05.2019 — Press release EDA
At its meeting of 29 May 2019, the Federal Council initiated a consultation process regarding two international agreements on inland navigation – the Strasbourg Convention of 2012 on the limitation of liability in inland navigation and the Convention on the collection, deposit and reception of waste produced during navigation on the Rhine and Inland Waterways. Both areas covered by the treaties are already subject to regulation, but new factors require that the agreements be brought up-to-date. The first convention has been re-drafted and substantive provisions have been added to the second.

Fighting impunity: Federal Council adopts dispatch on amendments to the Rome Statute

29.05.2019 — Press release EDA
At its meeting on 29 May 2019 the Federal Council reaffirmed its commitment to fighting impunity for the most serious international crimes by adopting the dispatch on ratification of the amendments of 14 December 2017 to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). These amendments propose to extend the ICC's jurisdiction by adding the employment of biological weapons, blinding laser weapons and weapons that cause injury by fragments undetectable by x-rays to the list of punishable war crimes.

2,500 tonnes of relief supplies for eastern Ukraine

27.05.2019 — Press release EDA
Switzerland pursues its humanitarian aid efforts in the east of Ukraine. The SDC has sent another shipment of urgently needed supplies to the civilian population on both sides of the contact line in the conflict zone. It is the tenth consignment of humanitarian aid to eastern Ukraine since 2015. In accordance with humanitarian principles, Switzerland's direct action is supporting people regardless of which side of the contact line they live on.

First 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

27.05.2019 — Press release EDA
On 23 and 24 May 2019 a first 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.

FDFA appoints Matthias Egger to board of Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator foundation as representative of the Swiss Confederation

22.05.2019 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), has appointed Professor Matthias Egger to the board of the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator foundation.

'Together we're better': SDC and SECO sponsor initiatives run by committed young people

18.01.2019 — EDA
Working with young men and women on overcoming global challenges: the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) have launched the 'Together we're better' competition, sponsoring initiatives run by young people. The SDC and SECO are looking for innovative projects run by young people in the 16–35 age group which aim to improve the living conditions of disadvantaged communities in developing countries. Prizes will be awarded to the winning projects at the 2019 Annual Development Cooperation Conference to be held in Fribourg on 21 June 2019.

Christine Schraner Burgener appointed UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Myanmar

26.04.2018 — EDA
The FDFA welcomes the UN Secretary-General's decision to appoint Ambassador Christine Schraner Burgener as his special envoy for Myanmar. This is further proof of the excellence of Swiss diplomacy.

Programme of members of the Federal Council attending the WEF Annual Meeting 2018

24.01.2018 — Article EDA
Bern, 24.01.2018 – The Federal Council continues to hold the view that the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting is of great importance. Five Federal Council members will be attending the event this year; around 60 bilateral meetings are expected to take place. President Alain Berset will be holding meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. Arrangements for further meetings, such as with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, are still under discussion, as are details of the meeting with President Trump.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attends 2018 New Year’s reception

17.01.2018 — Article EDA

The New Year's reception of President of the Swiss Confederation Alain Berset takes place in Bern on Wednesday, 17 January 2018.

Internet Governance Forum 2017, Geneva

29.12.2017 — Article EDA

The Internet Governance Forum is a global, multilateral platform for discussing public policy aspects of the internet.

The conference in December 2017 in Geneva was organised by the UN and Switzerland. This year’s theme was "Shape Your Digital Future".

Good neighbours: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets Liechtenstein's Foreign Minister Aurelia Frick for bilateral talks

21.12.2017 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has met with Aurelia Frick, the foreign minister of the Principality of Liechtenstein, in Bern. The discussion between the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA and his Liechtenstein counterpart underscored the high quality of bilateral relations between the two states. The meeting covered bilateral topics including current European policy issues and international challenges.

Switzerland and France give go-ahead to implementation of EuroAirport agreement

19.12.2017 — EDA
At their first meeting, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian brought the issue of the tax regime at Basel-Mulhouse (EuroAirport) to a conclusion: the agreement regulating Swiss companies operating at EuroAirport will be applicable from next year. The two foreign ministers' working meeting also focused on other bilateral issues, the situation in Europe and Switzerland's policy with regard to the EU.

Restitution of USD 321 million by Switzerland to Nigeria under World Bank oversight: signing of a tripartite agreement

04.12.2017 — EDA
In keeping with its policy of returning illegally acquired assets, Switzerland has reached an agreement with Nigeria and the World Bank on the restitution of approximately USD 321 million to Nigeria's population. The modalities of restitution are set out in an agreement which was signed by the three parties on 4 December in Washington D.C. at the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR).

The translation of Memoirs of Holocaust survivors into French is accomplished

27.11.2017 — Article EDA

On the occasion of the second plenary meeting under Swiss chairmanship of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) on 27^th November 2017, the translation of all the 15 memoirs of Holocaust survivors into French has been completed.

«Mit vereinten Kräften gegen das Leid in der Welt»

19.08.2017 — Article EDA

Beitrag von Bundesrat Didier Burkhalter zum Welttag der Humanitären Hilfe am 19. August 2017.

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.