Global fight against poverty and for sustainable agriculture: Switzerland continues its participation in the International Fund for Agricultural Development

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.

Switzerland reiterates support for civilians in Syria and the region

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.

Federal Council agrees next steps in Switzerland–UK relations

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.

Closure of Swiss consulates general in Karachi and Los Angeles

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).

Federal Council receives German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier

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.

Swiss-Spanish bilateral relations and current international events discussed at meeting between Ignazio Cassis and Alfonso Dastis in Bern

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.

Switzerland to attend IMF and World Bank 2018 Spring Meetings in Washington

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.

Humanitarian crisis in DRC: Switzerland commits CHF 12.5 million to assist the population

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.

2018 Annual Consultations of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) Member States in New York

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.

Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad: annual implementation report for 2017

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.

State visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier

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.

Decrease in Switzerland's official development assistance in 2017

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.

Global fight against poverty and for sustainable agriculture: Switzerland continues its participation in the International Fund for Agricultural Development

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.

Switzerland reiterates support for civilians in Syria and the region

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.

Federal Council agrees next steps in Switzerland–UK relations

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.

Closure of Swiss consulates general in Karachi and Los Angeles

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).

Federal Council receives German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier

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.

Swiss-Spanish bilateral relations and current international events discussed at meeting between Ignazio Cassis and Alfonso Dastis in Bern

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.

Switzerland to attend IMF and World Bank 2018 Spring Meetings in Washington

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.

Humanitarian crisis in DRC: Switzerland commits CHF 12.5 million to assist the population

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.

2018 Annual Consultations of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) Member States in New York

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.

Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad: annual implementation report for 2017

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.

State visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier

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.

Decrease in Switzerland's official development assistance in 2017

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.

Switzerland and Bhutan reaffirm their close ties

08.03.2018 — EDA
During a working visit to Bern on Thursday, 8 March, President Alain Berset and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay reaffirmed the continuing close ties between their two countries. Up until ten years ago, Bhutan was a Swiss development cooperation priority country, but at the end of 2016 the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) ended its activities in the country. The official talks focused on prospects and opportunities under this new chapter in bilateral relations.

Switzerland and Afghanistan sign agreement on development cooperation and humanitarian aid

06.03.2018 — EDA
On 6 March 2018, Swiss Ambassador Thomas Kolly and Afghanistan's Minister of Finance Eklil Hakimi signed a framework agreement in Kabul on technical and financial cooperation and humanitarian aid. This enhances the legal basis for cooperation between the two countries. Switzerland has been engaged in Afghanistan since the 1970s and has had a permanent presence there since 2002. Through the ongoing Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) programme, Switzerland supports Afghanistan's political and economic reform process and provides humanitarian aid.

Disseminating knowledge of the Holocaust: Switzerland passes chairmanship of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance to Italy

06.03.2018 — EDA
Switzerland has chaired the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) for one year. Switzerland's chairmanship saw some major achievements at a strategic level, with the IHRA setting out its first comprehensive strategy and defining the priorities for its work in the years ahead. During its chairmanship Switzerland also supported various projects in the fields of education, youth and social media. The IHRA aims to promote research and education in relation to the Holocaust and to keep the memory of the victims alive through commemoration ceremonies and places of remembrance.

Federal Council approves 2017 Foreign Policy Report

21.02.2018 — EDA
The Federal Council approved the 2017 Foreign Policy Report at its meeting on 21 February 2018. The report gives an account of Switzerland's most important foreign policy activities in 2017 in the context of international developments.

Swiss expertise and innovation as tools of international cooperation

13.02.2018 — EDA
At this year’s annual press conference, the SDC unveiled the issues it will be focusing on in 2018 and discussed the importance of innovation for cooperation. The agency’s Director-General Manuel Sager took the opportunity to illustrate various ways in which the SDC co-opts Swiss experts and expertise onto development projects.

Meeting room at the Federal Palace West Wing dedicated to Carl Lutz

12.02.2018 — EDA
The west wing of the Federal Palace is where FDFA senior management meet – the nerve centre of Swiss foreign policy. A room here has been named 'Carl Lutz' in honour of the department's former diplomat who helped save the lives of tens of thousands of Jews in Budapest during the Second World War. A ceremony has been held to mark the occasion, introduced by FDFA head Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis.

Switzerland and Bangladesh pave the way for deeper relations

07.02.2018 — EDA
On Wednesday, 7 February, President Alain Berset concluded his visit to Bangladesh, the first by a Swiss president. The two countries wish to deepen relations and have adopted a joint declaration to that effect. The visit was also a sign of solidarity with Bangladesh, which has been seriously affected by the crisis in neighbouring Myanmar.

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.