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Schweizer Erweiterungsbeitrag zugunsten von Bulgarien und Rumänien abgeschlossen (de)

20.01.2020 — Press release EDA
Während zehn Jahren unterstützte die Schweiz Bulgarien und Rumänien, welche 2007 der EU beigetreten waren, mit einem Betrag von insgesamt 257 Millionen Franken. Damit leistete sie einen Beitrag zum Abbau wirtschaftlicher und sozialer Ungleichheiten in Europa und innerhalb dieser beiden Länder. Die Resultate aus den 93 Projekten, die im Dezember 2019 zum Abschluss kamen, sind zufriedenstellend. Die Zusammenarbeit dient der Stabilität auf dem Kontinent und liegt auch im Interesse der Schweiz.

Programme of members of the Federal Council attending the WEF Annual Meeting 2020

17.01.2020 — Press release EDA
At this the 50th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Federal Council stresses the importance of the event in Davos. This year all members of the cabinet will be in attendance; around 60 bilateral meetings are due to take place. President Simonetta Sommaruga will open the event on Tuesday, 21 January, together with Professor Klaus Schwab.

Discover the world with the FDFA and with peace mind

17.01.2020 — Article EDA
Just what is the perfect trip abroad? And where would it take you? Swiss travellers have different needs and expectations – some prefer to go on their own, others would rather choose an organised tour. It doesn't matter if you're a backpacker or a jet-setter: the FDFA provides a wide range of services for anyone who wants to travel abroad.

United Nations World Data Forum: first events take place

16.01.2020 — Press release EDA
Achievement of the sustainable development goals set out in the 2030 Agenda can only be measured with the help of official statistics. These will be the key focus of the third United Nations World Data Forum (UNWDF) to be held in Bern from 18 to 21 October 2020. Under the label of the «Road to Bern», a series of events is planned in the run-up to this high-profile international conference.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg

16.01.2020 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis today received his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg in Bern for his first official trip abroad. The two foreign ministers discussed bilateral relations, Switzerland's European policy and international affairs.

Federal Council reaffirms its commitment to responsible business conduct

15.01.2020 — Press release EDA
On 15 January 2020, the Federal Council approved the revised Action Plans 2020-2023 on corporate social responsibility, and on Business and Human Rights. The federal government promotes the implementation of a responsible business conduct. It is an important contribution to sustainable development and to solving societal challenges.

Processing of personal data by the FDFA: bill adopted by Federal Council

15.01.2020 — Press release EDA
At its meeting on Friday 15 January 2020, the Federal Council adopted a draft federal act on the processing of personal data by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). This legislation fulfils the requirements of the Federal Act of 19 June 1992 on Data Protection while also taking account of more recent developments in internal organisation, technology and society.

Switzerland returns USD 1.3 million to Turkmenistan for the purchase of medicines

15.01.2020 — Press release EDA
In line with its policy of repatriating illicitly acquired assets, Switzerland is returning approximately USD 1.3 million, which were confiscated in Switzerland, to Turkmenistan. The funds will be channelled into a health project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Le conseiller fédéral Ignazio Cassis à la réception de Nouvel An du corps diplomatique (fr.)

15.01.2020 — Press release EDA
La réception de Nouvel An donnée par la présidente de la Confédération Simonetta Sommaruga a lieu à Berne ce mercredi 15 janvier 2020.

Presentation of credentials

14.01.2020 — Press release EDA
14.01.2020 - Presentation of credentials of newly accredited Ambassadors in Switzerland

Young, creative and tech-savvy: Switzerland at the world's largest tech show starting today in Las Vegas

07.01.2020 — Press release EDA
Today the Swiss pavilion at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas opens its doors for the second time. From 7 to 10 January 2020 Switzerland is showcasing more than 30 start-ups at the world's largest trade fair for consumer electronics. Organisers Presence Switzerland and Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE), together with partners Innosuisse, the swissnex network and digitalswitzerland, are using the pavilion as part of their SwissTech campaign to position Switzerland as a leading innovation and technology hub and an attractive business location.

Switzerland involved in release and transfer of more than 200 detainees in eastern Ukraine

29.12.2019 — Press release EDA
Switzerland welcomes the latest prisoner exchange between Kyiv and the non- government controlled areas of eastern Ukraine which took place on 29 December 2019, two years after the last such large-scale exchange. FDFA is pleased that it was able to play a significant role in the preparations towards this latest release.

Media (2411)

Schweizer Erweiterungsbeitrag zugunsten von Bulgarien und Rumänien abgeschlossen (de)

Programme of members of the Federal Council attending the WEF Annual Meeting 2020

United Nations World Data Forum: first events take place

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg

Federal Council reaffirms its commitment to responsible business conduct

Processing of personal data by the FDFA: bill adopted by Federal Council

Switzerland returns USD 1.3 million to Turkmenistan for the purchase of medicines

Le conseiller fédéral Ignazio Cassis à la réception de Nouvel An du corps diplomatique (fr.)

15.01.2020 — Press release EDA
La réception de Nouvel An donnée par la présidente de la Confédération Simonetta Sommaruga a lieu à Berne ce mercredi 15 janvier 2020.

Presentation of credentials

14.01.2020 — Press release EDA
14.01.2020 - Presentation of credentials of newly accredited Ambassadors in Switzerland

Young, creative and tech-savvy: Switzerland at the world's largest tech show starting today in Las Vegas

Switzerland involved in release and transfer of more than 200 detainees in eastern Ukraine

High-level contact between Switzerland and Sri Lanka: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis calls Sri Lankan foreign minister and sends diplomats to maintain dialogue

19.12.2019 — Press release EDA
Switzerland is continuing high-level talks with Sri Lanka to resolve the current crisis. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis phoned his Sri Lankan counterpart, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, on 18 December 2019 to inform him that Switzerland was sending former ambassador Jörg Frieden to Sri Lanka. Under the lead of this experienced diplomat, possibilities for clarifying the security incident at the Swiss embassy in Colombo are to be explored. Mr Cassis also emphasised that the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) considers the health and safety of its staff to be paramount, and that it is the responsibility of the Sri Lankan authorities to ensure that these are protected in the further proceedings.

Other news (150)

Discover the world with the FDFA and with peace mind

Switzerland and Italy reach an agreement on Campione d'Italia

20.12.2019 — EDA
At its meeting on 20 December 2019, the Federal Council approved an exchange of notes between Switzerland and Italy regarding the change of the customs status of the Italian enclave of Campione d'Italia. This exchange of notes is necessary to ensure legal certainty and facilitates the transition of Campione d'Italia into the European Union's customs territory, scheduled for 1 January 2020.

Third 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

19.12.2019 — EDA
On 16 and 17 December 2019 a third 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.

First Global Refugee Forum in Geneva brings together actors committed to finding shared solutions

17.12.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has opened the Global Refugee Forum together with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. The purpose of the forum, which takes place on 17 and 18 December at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, is to find shared solutions to meet the needs of refugees and their host communities.

National human rights institution to be established in Switzerland

13.12.2019 — EDA
On 13 December 2019, the Federal Council approved the proposal to establish a national human rights institution (NHRI). The Federal Council has thereby strengthened its constitutionally enshrined commitment to human rights. With the model of a public corporation, it takes into account the results of the consultation procedure. The NHRI will be independent, include members from across society and receive an annual financial support from the Confederation.

Federal Council extends freeze on assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine

13.12.2019 — EDA
On 13 December 2019, the Federal Council decided to extend for one year the preventive freeze on the assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine. The purpose of this decision is to support the judicial cooperation between Switzerland and these two states.

Humanitarian aid responds to digital and climate challenges – 33rd Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent comes to a close

12.12.2019 — EDA
The 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent ended today in Geneva. The conference adopted six resolutions that will enable the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to improve its actions and adapt them to the needs of vulnerable groups, in a world where the demand for humanitarian aid has never been so high. The topic of digitalisation was on the agenda for discussion, for example in restoring family links broken by crisis situations. The conference was opened by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on Monday 9 December.

Ignazio Cassis calls for international humanitarian law to be strengthened at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

09.12.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis called for international humanitarian law to be strengthened in his opening speech at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent taking place in Geneva from 9 to 12 December. Mr Cassis praised the vital work of the 17 million volunteers who make up the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Swiss initiative: intentional starvation of civilians in civil wars is now a war crime

06.12.2019 — EDA
Following a Swiss initiative, the International Criminal Court (ICC) will from now on be able to prosecute the intentional starvation of civilians in civil wars as a war crime. The ICC Assembly of States Parties took a unanimous decision to this effect earlier today. It strengthens the protection of victims of war.

Swiss diplomat Heidi Grau named OSCE Special Representative for Ukraine

05.12.2019 — EDA
In a triumph for Swiss diplomacy, the 26th Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has opened with the Chairperson-in-Office, Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák, appointing Ambassador Heidi Grau as Special Representative for Ukraine. A renowned Swiss expert on Eastern Europe, Ambassador Grau thus assumes a key role in working towards an end to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis welcomes the news of her appointment and considers this a testament to the reputation Swiss diplomacy enjoys within and beyond the OSCE.

Cooperation with the UN Security Council in the fight against terrorism: Switzerland's pioneering role

05.12.2019 — EDA
Switzerland and the United Nations cooperate closely in the fight against terrorism. On Thursday in New York, Switzerland presented to the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) the latest developments in its anti-terrorism measures following last year's visit by UN experts.

Walter Kälin appointed to UN High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement

04.12.2019 — EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) welcomes UN Secretary-General António Guterres' decision to appoint Swiss law professor Walter Kälin as one of the experts of the UN's newly established High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement, which is tasked with finding solutions to internal displacement and alleviating its impact.

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