All news (138)
Switzerland strengthens humanitarian demining capacities in Ukraine
18.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
On 17–18 April, representatives from more than 50 countries and organisations gathered at an international workshop in Kyiv to discuss measures for identifying and clearing mines and unexploded ordnance in Ukraine. Good coordination of national activities and international support is crucial to ensure that this work can progress swiftly and effectively. The workshop was co-organised by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). Switzerland, whose delegation at the conference was led by Ambassador Simon Geissbühler, has a long history of supporting humanitarian demining through the GICHD and other organisations. Clearing the country of mines is a key prerequisite for Ukraine's recovery.
Conflicts and crises lead to increase in ODA in 2023
11.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
In 2023, Switzerland's official development assistance (ODA) amounted to CHF 4.64 billion, equivalent to 0.60% of its gross national income (GNI), more than a quarter of which came from asylum-related costs in Switzerland. Excluding these asylum costs, the ODA/GNI ratio was 0.43%.
Federal Council to support recovery in Ukraine with CHF 5 billion by 2036
10.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Switzerland has been providing humanitarian aid and supporting the economic development and longer-term reconstruction of Ukraine since the war broke out in February 2022. This support builds on the existing cooperation with the country and is to be intensified over the next twelve years, as decided by the Federal Council at its meeting of 10 April 2024. It plans to allocate a total of CHF 5 billion to this end by 2036. As a first step, around CHF 1.5 billion is to be drawn from the international cooperation budget by 2028. This amount clearly demonstrates Switzerland's solidarity with the people affected by the war in Ukraine and will increase stability on the European continent.
Switzerland to host high-level conference on peace at the Bürgenstock resort in June 2024
10.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 10 April 2024, the Federal Council took note of the results of the exploratory phase of the high-level conference on peace in Ukraine. The conditions are now in place for the conference to be able to initiate a peace process. The first step is to develop a common understanding among the participating states with a view to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The conference is scheduled for June 2024 at the Bürgenstock resort in the canton of Nidwalden.
Switzerland allocated 2 million Swiss francs to support the vocational education reform in Ukraine through the DECIDE Project
03.04.2024
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Local news
Ukraine
The Swiss-Ukrainian project DECIDE, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, is launching a DECIDE: VET initiative to support the reform of vocational education in Ukraine. This initiative will combine the efforts of regional state administrations and territorial communities, vocational and technical education institutions, schools, and businesses to develop a career guidance system and enhance the attractiveness of vocational education.
More equipment and a new logistical hub: Switzerland and the State Emergency Services of Ukraine Boost Cooperation
26.03.2024
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Local news
Ukraine
Kyiv, 26 March 2024 – Ambassador of Switzerland to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, Félix Baumann, and the Acting Head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Andrii Danyk, signed today a Partnership Memorandum on enhancing cooperation.
Switzerland delivers further relief supplies to Ukraine
13.03.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Since the beginning of the war against Ukraine, Switzerland has sent regular shipments of relief goods to those impacted, with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) spearheading the effort financially and logistically. The first of three aid consignments in 2024 arrived in Kyiv today. The deliveries are made up of spare parts for fire engines, humanitarian demining equipment and medical supplies. This aid, valued at around CHF 900,000, is provided from the stock of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports (DDPS) and the city of Burgdorf in the Canton of Bern.
Ukraine: Switzerland implements the EU’s 13th package of sanctions
01.03.2024
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Press releases
Europa
The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), which is responsible for sanctions, decided on 29 February to impose further sanctions against Russia. Switzerland is thus joining the 13th sanctions package of the European Union (EU), adopted in response to Russia's ongoing military aggression against Ukraine over the past two years. The measures will enter into force at 6pm on 1 March.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attends Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey
29.02.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will represent Switzerland at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum to be held in Turkey from 1 to 3 March. The third edition of the forum will address the issue of 'Advancing Diplomacy in Times of Turmoil'. During the high-level forum, Mr Cassis will participate in a panel discussion on Europe's security architecture. He will also use the dialogue platform to hold various talks on the prerequisites for a peace process in Ukraine.
"History has shown us that nothing can be taken for granted, neither human rights nor peace": Ignazio Cassis at the Human Rights Council opening session
26.02.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has today opened the high-level segment of the UN Human Rights Council's 55th session. In his capacity as head of the FDFA, Mr Cassis emphasised the central importance of protecting human rights in order to stem many of today's crises – particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine. Over the next three days, Geneva will host a number of high-level representatives from 130 countries who are meeting at the Human Rights Council to discuss the current failure to respect human rights and how this is impacting the world.
Swiss Candidate for Secretary General of Council of Europe Alain Berset is Visiting Ukraine
20.02.2024
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Press releases
Ukraine
On 20 February, former President of the Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset, visited Ukraine as the official candidate of Switzerland for the position of Secretary General of the Council of Europe. In Kyiv, he had meetings with the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, as well as with the Ukrainian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). He also visited the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine and met with Ukrainian officials to introduce his election bid and to discuss the role of the Council of Europe in supporting Ukraine against Russia’s military aggression and ensuring accountability and justice.
Second year of war in Ukraine: Ignazio Cassis at UN headquarters in New York
20.02.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, will address the United Nations in New York on 22 and 23 February 2024 to mark the two-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine. He will take part in the UN Security Council and General Assembly debates on the situation in Ukraine, as well as a side event focusing on humanitarian mine action. He will also participate in various bilateral meetings.
