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Wildfires in Greece – Switzerland sends support helicopters and firefighting crews

06.08.2021 — Press release EDA
Wildfires are currently raging across several regions of Greece. Responding to a call for assistance by the Greek authorities, Switzerland is dispatching three helicopters and firefighting crews to help contain the fires.

State Secretary Hirayama attends Informal EU Ministerial Meeting on Competition in Research and Innovation

20.07.2021 — Press release DEA
On 19 July 2021, State Secretary Martina Hirayama took part in an informal meeting of ministers responsible for research and innovation in the EU member states. At the biannual event, held this time in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana, the participants discussed the implementation of the goals of the new European Research Area at national and European level. They also addressed the question of how Europe would like to shape cooperation in the area of research and innovation with its international partners. Switzerland’s presence and input at this meeting underscored its active commitment to maintaining a strong European Research Area.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visits Mission of Switzerland in Brussels and meets EU commissioners for informal exchange

20.07.2021 — Press release EDA
On 19 and 20 July Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), visited the Mission of Switzerland to the European Union in Brussels. He exchanged views with staff there and gained an overview of the tasks at hand and those lying ahead. Mr Cassis also engaged in an informal exchange of views with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, and EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn.

Horizon Europe: Switzerland currently with third country status

14.07.2021 — Press release DEA
Switzerland will be treated as a non-associated third country in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe, until further notice. Researchers in Switzerland can still participate in calls for proposals under the status, albeit to a limited extent, and receive funding directly from the Confederation. However, participation in individual projects, in particular in future calls for proposals from the European Research Council, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and the European Innovation Council, is no longer possible. The Federal Council’s stated aim remains Switzerland’s full association to Horizon Europe.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in Vilnius for Ukraine Reform Conference and bilateral talks

08.07.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attended the Ukraine Reform Conference 2021 (URC) in Vilnius from 6 to 8 July. At the end of this year's conference, Switzerland officially assumed the chair of the URC2022 in Lugano. During the conference, Mr Cassis met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba. To mark two anniversaries in Swiss–Lithuanian relations, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs also met with the Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis in Vilnius.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visits Estonia to mark double anniversary and discuss digitalisation

06.07.2021 — Press release EDA
Following the first leg of his visit to the Baltic States in Latvia, today Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, travelled to Estonia where he met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Eva-Maria Liimets and Parliamentary Speaker Jüri Ratas. Their talks focused on digitalisation, European policy and Switzerland's candidacy for a seat on the UN Security Council in the period 2023–24. Mr Cassis also visited the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis starts Baltic tour with official visit to Latvia

05.07.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has begun his trip to the Baltic States with an official visit to Latvia. This year, Switzerland is celebrating a double anniversary with all three Baltic countries: the centenary of their independence and 30 years since the resumption of diplomatic relations following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Mr Cassis was received in Riga on 5 July by Latvian President Egils Levits, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs and Parliamentary Speaker Ināra Mūrniece. Talks focused on European policy. Latvia is the first stop on Mr Cassis' trip to the region. He will then pay an official visit to Estonia followed by Lithuania, where he will also take part in the Ukraine Reform Conference.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to travel to Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania and take part in Ukraine Reform Conference in Vilnius

01.07.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will make an official visit to the Baltic states from 4 to 8 July 2021. He will travel to Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. He will also participate in the Ukraine Reform Conference in Vilnius on 7 and 8 July. The talks will focus on European policy, bilateral cooperation and the challenges currently facing the international community. Mr Cassis is attending the Reform Conference in preparation for Switzerland's upcoming chairmanship in 2022.

Switzerland - UK: Federal Council adopts dispatch on Services Mobility Agreement

30.06.2021 — Press release DEA
On 30 June, the Federal Council adopted a dispatch on the agreement between Switzerland and the UK on the mobility of service providers (Services Mobility Agreement, SMA). The agreement ensures reciprocal facilitated access for service providers between Switzerland and the UK following the expiry of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP).

Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer meets Ireland's Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, in Dublin

28.06.2021 — Press release DEA
On 28 June 2021 in Dublin, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer met the Irish Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, for an exchange on bilateral and multilateral tax issues.

Third meeting of the Italian-Swiss joint committee for cooperation in the area of science

28.06.2021 — Press release DEA
On June 28, 2021, the third meeting of the Italian-Swiss joint committee for cooperation in the area of science met took place in a virtual format. The meeting included both a bilateral discussion between Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, and Maria Cristina Messa, Italian Minister for University and Research, and an in-depth exchange between the respective high-level delegations of both countries on existing and future scientific cooperation.

Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer meets Hungary's Minister for Finance, Varga Mihály, in Budapest

25.06.2021 — Press release DEA
On 25 June 2021 in Budapest, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer met the Hungarian Minister for Finance, Varga Mihály, for an exchange on bilateral and multilateral tax issues.

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British Minister of State for Europe, David Lidington, pays visit to Bern

22.10.2014 — Press release EDA
Relations between Switzerland and the United Kingdom, the activities of the OSCE, the situation in Ukraine and policy on the EU took centre-stage at the talks between the British Minister of State for Europe, David Lidington, and the President of the Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, who received his guest on Wednesday for a working lunch at the Von Wattenwyl House.

Switzerland and EU member states sign understanding on business taxation

14.10.2014 — Press release DEA
Today in Luxembourg, Federal Councillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf and representatives of the 28 EU member states signed a mutual understanding in the form of a joint statement on business taxation, thereby putting an end to a controversy which has put a strain on relations between Switzerland and the EU for almost ten years. The signing took place on the fringes of the joint meeting of the economics and finance ministers of the EU and their counterparts from the EFTA countries.

President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter receives Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev

13.10.2014 — Press release DEA
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Bukhalter, received the President of Bulgaria, Rosen Plevneliev, on Monday 13 October 2014 during the latter’s official visit to Switzerland. Talks focused on relations and cooperation between Switzerland and Bulgaria, notably in the field of vocational education and training. The meeting, also attended by Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga, included discussions on Swiss policy on Europe, Switzerland's contribution to EU enlargement and various topical international issues, especially those related to the OSCE, which Switzerland is chairing in 2014.

Update of the agreement with the EU on the simplification of customs formalities and on customs security measures

10.10.2014 — Press release DEA
Today, the chairperson of the joint committee signed decree no. 1/2014 on the amendment of Annex I to the agreement between Switzerland and the EU on the simplification of customs formalities and on customs security measures. The decree was approved by the Federal Council on 8 October 2014 and entered into force the day after it was signed.

Optimierung Flankierende Massnahmen: Schulung für Vollzugsorgane

09.10.2014 — Press release DEA
Am 9. Oktober 2014 fand in Gordola im Kanton Tessin eine Schulung für Vollzugsorgane der Flankierenden Massnahmen (FlaM) statt. Bundesrat Johann N. Schneider-Ammann sicherte den Vollzugsorganen im Rahmen der Veranstaltung Unterstützung zu. Regierungsrat Paolo Beltraminelli überbrachte die Grussworte der Tessiner Regierung.

Unofficial talks between State Secretary Mauro Dell’Ambrogio and Robert-Jan Smits, Director-General for Research at the European Commission

11.07.2014 — Press release EDA
Unofficial talks regarding Switzerland's participation in the Horizon 2020 research programme took place on the fringes of a visit by the European Commission's Director-General for Research and Innovation, Robert-Jan Smits, to CERN in Geneva on 10 July. No official proposal has been made by the European Commission on Switzerland's renewed participation.

Switzerland takes part in EU border control mission EUBAM Libya

04.07.2014 — Press release EDA
Switzerland and the European Union (EU) have today signed an agreement on Switzerland's participation in the European Union Border Assistance Mission in Libya (EUBAM Libya). This agreement provides the basis for deploying a Swiss civilian border control specialist to Libya on a one-year mission.

The Federal Council adopts a report on the European Social Charter

02.07.2014 — Press release EDA
On 2 July 2014, the Federal Council adopted a report on the revised European Social Charter, following a postulate tabled by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Council of States entitled: «Compatibility of the revised European Social Charter with the Swiss legal order». The report concludes that from a legal perspective it would currently be possible for Switzerland to satisfy the minimum conditions for ratification. The Federal Council will comment on the principle of ratifying the charter only at the next stage, once Parliament has taken note of the report.

Business taxation: Switzerland and EU initial mutual understanding to end talks

01.07.2014 — Press release EDA
Today in Bern, the heads of delegation of Switzerland and the European Union (EU) initialled a mutual understanding on business taxation. State Secretary Jacques de Watteville and his EU counterpart Heinz Zourek, Director General of the European Commission's Taxation and Customs Union Directorate-General, agreed on its final wording. The understanding brings an end to a dispute that has strained relations between the two parties for almost a decade.

Horizon 2020: Support for researchers in Switzerland

27.06.2014 — Press release DEA
Today the Federal Council approved interim measures in response to the unresolved situation regarding Switzerland’s association to Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. The measures are designed to support researchers in Switzerland who are involved in projects and programmes financed under Horizon 2020 and who will no longer receive any funding from Brussels. The Federal Council’s stated aim remains for Switzerland to achieve full association to Horizon 2020 by the end of the year, if possible.

Horizon 2020: Support for researchers in Switzerland

27.06.2014 — Press release EDA
Today the Federal Council approved interim measures in response to the unresolved situation regarding Switzerland’s association to Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. The measures are designed to support researchers in Switzerland who are involved in projects and programmes financed under Horizon 2020 and who will no longer receive any funding from Brussels. The Federal Council’s stated aim remains for Switzerland to achieve full association to Horizon 2020 by the end of the year, if possible.

Federal Council presents concept for implementing the new article on immigration

20.06.2014 — Press release DEA
On Friday, the Federal Council approved the concept for implementing the new article of the Federal Constitution on immigration. The concept outlines how the Federal Council will set the quantitative limits and quotas for controlling migration to Switzerland from February 2017. The Federal Council will base its decision not only on the needs reported by the cantons, but also on the analyses of an advisory committee. Social partners will also be consulted. Quotas will apply to all types of permit valid for four months or more. To meet the needs of the labour market, it is planned to foster and exploit the potential of the workforce already available in Switzerland. The proposals are set out in the Federal Council's concept for implementing the new provisions of the Constitution on immigration. In the concept, which it approved on Friday, the Federal Council lays down important benchmarks for the draft legislation due to follow at the end of year.

Other news (33)

Coronavirus: Further easing of entry restrictions from 8 June

27.05.2020 — DEA
The Federal Council is to further relax entry restrictions in connection with the coronavirus pandemic. The restrictions will be lifted in step with the reopening of the economy. From 8 June, the cantons will begin processing applications from workers from the EU/EFTA member states. In addition, Swiss companies will be allowed to employ highly skilled workers from third countries if this is in the public interest, or if they are urgently required. To benefit the domestic workforce, companies will again be required to give notification of job vacancies, a measure that was temporarily suspended during the lockdown. Lastly, the Federal Council plans to lift all travel restrictions and re-establish the free movement of persons across the Schengen area no later than 6 July. Border controls with Germany, Austria and France will be lifted as early as 15 June, as previously announced.

Securing access to research cooperation and funding programmes in Europe

20.05.2020 — DEA
Horizon Europe, the EU’s next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, is due to start in 2021. Along with three other European initiatives, Horizon Europe forms the ‘2021–2027 Horizon package’. On 20 May 2020 the Federal Council adopted a dispatch on funding requesting Parliament to approve CHF 6,154 million in funding to secure Switzerland’s participation in the Horizon package. Provided Parliament approves this funding, the Federal Council and the EU will be able to renew their bilateral research agreement and secureSwitzerland’s continued and uninterrupted participation in the Horizon package as an associated state.

Coronavirus: Switzerland reaches agreement with Germany, Austria and France on opening borders

13.05.2020 — DEA
Switzerland plans to open all borders with Germany, Austria and France on 15 June 2020, if the epidemiological situation allows. Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter has reached agreement on this move following talks with the interior ministers of these three neighbouring countries. She advised the Federal Council of the agreement at its meeting on 13 May 2020.

New slides provide handy, up-to-date information on Switzerland’s European policy

26.11.2019 — Article DEA
Switzerland enjoys close, important and diverse relations with the European Union. They are based on the bilateral approach and influence many aspects of citizens’ lives, both in Switzerland and in the EU.

Serbian Prime Minister Brnabić attends working meeting with President Maurer

03.09.2019 — DEA
On Tuesday, 3 September, President Ueli Maurer received Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić at the Bernerhof for a working visit on the fringes of Swiss Digital Day. Discussions covered bilateral issues such as business and digital transformation, Serbia’s relations with the European Union, and the situation in the Western Balkans.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visits Samos refugee camp and meets new Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs

10.07.2019 — EDA
Mr Cassis's visit to Greece has mainly been concerned with the situation of refugees and the challenges posed by migration. On Tuesday, the head of the FDFA visited the refugee camp on Samos and today met Nikos Dendias, who was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs this week, and President Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

Switzerland and EU adapt their insurance agreement

05.07.2018 — DEA
Switzerland and the EU have been adapting their Direct Insurance Agreement which has existed since 1989 to the new regulatory requirements. The mixed committee with representatives from both sides adopted the changes on 3 July 2018 and brought them into effect. Thereby the agreement is also in line with the future requirements of the Swiss insurance business.

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.

EU-Switzerland Financial Regulatory Dialogue held in Bern

19.10.2017 — DEA
The Swiss State Secretariat for International Financial Matters and the European Commission held their 2017 Financial Regulatory Dialogue on October 19 in Berne. The Dialogue was co-chaired by Jörg Gasser, State Secretary for International Financial Matters, and Olivier Guersent, European Commission's Director General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union. Participants included staff from the European Commission, European Supervisory Authorities, Single Resolution Board, the Swiss federal administration, the Swiss National Bank and the Swiss Financial Supervisory Authority FINMA.

European Parliament’s PANA Committee to visit Switzerland

15.09.2017 — DEA
The Swiss authorities will receive a delegation from the European Parliament's PANA Committee on 15 September. The focus of the talks will be the current system and the ongoing work to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and tax offences.

Switzerland once again a full member of partnership-funded EU innovation programmes

23.08.2017 — DEA
On 23 August, the Federal Council approved the agreements on Switzerland’s participation in the Eurostars-2 and the Active and Assisted Living research and development programmes. This means that Switzerland is once again a full member of both programmes and is co-financed by the EU. The programmes are particularly interesting for research-intensive SMEs looking to enter new European or global markets through cross-border cooperation. Switzerland’s participation in the AAL programme is one of the many measures that form part of the federal government’s Skilled Workers Initiative.

Linking of the Swiss and European emissions trading systems: big step forward

16.08.2017 — DEA
Switzerland and the European Union are preparing to link their emissions trading systems. The Federal Council approved the signing of the corresponding agreement at its meeting of 16 August 2017. The European Commission has also adopted proposals for the signature and ratification of the agreement and has submitted them to the Council of the European Union for approval. The agreement could be signed before the end of this year. Its ratification must then be approved by the Swiss and European parliaments.

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