Here you can find the last 12 media releases and other news published by the FDFA, such as statements, announcements and articles, in chronological order.
All media releases can be found on the Administarions's website.
26.06.2009
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Press releases
EDA
An international conference on assets stolen during the Shoah will bring together 49 government delegations in Prague from today until 30 June. A Swiss delegation will participate in this conference.
25.06.2009
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Press releases
EDA
Switzerland is concerned about the formal arrest on 24 June 2009 of the human rights activist Liu Xiaobo, who has been in detention since December 2008. He is one of the signatories of the Charter 2008, which calls on China to continue the process of political reform.
24.06.2009
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, has received today Sergei Lavrov, the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, in Bern for an official working visit. Their talks centred on bilateral questions and current international issues.
24.06.2009
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Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council today decided to open consultation proceedings on the agreement between the EU and the Swiss Confederation on the waiving of checks and formalities in goods transport and on customs security measures. The agreement is designed to prevent new barriers to trade with the EU and replaces and supplements the existing agreement on goods controls of 1990. It will apply provisionally from 1 July 2009. The Agreement will be signed tomorrow, on June 25, in Brussels.
24.06.2009
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Press releases
EDA
Human trafficking does not stop at national borders, which means that international cooperation is essential to efficiently combat and to prevent human trafficking and to protect victims. The FDFA, working in close cooperation with the International Organization for Migration IOM in Berne, holds twice-yearly round tables for foreign experts. These talks enable participants to cultivate contacts, to share experiences and to strengthen cooperation. The three-year series of round tables on human trafficking opened yesterday with talks between Swiss experts and a delegation from Hungary.
23.06.2009
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Press releases
EDA
On 23 June 2009, Ambassador Paul Seger, Director of the Directorate of Public International Law, signed on behalf of the Federal Council, a Host country Agreement with the GAVI Alliance (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization). On the part of the GAVI Alliance, the Agreement was signed by Mr. Julian Lob-Levyt, the GAVI Alliance’s Executive Secretary.
16.06.2009
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), travelled to Budapest today to meet her new Hungarian counterpart, Péter Balázs, for an official working visit. The focus of their talks was on bilateral relations and co-operation between the two countries in international organisations, European co-operation and current international issues. A declaration of intent was also signed during this visit.
10.06.2009
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Press releases
EDA
On 10 June 2009, Ambassador Peter Maurer, head of the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations in New York, was elected as president of the 5th. Committee of the 64th UN General Assembly. This is the first time that Switzerland has presided over one of the main committees of the United Nations General Assembly.
05.06.2009
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Press releases
EDA
On 5 June 2009 the Federal Council sent the Dispatch on the Credit Facility for the Enlargement Contribution in favour of Bulgaria and Romania to parliament. Switzerland’s contribution to reducing economic and social disparities totals CHF 257m over a five-year period.
05.06.2009
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Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council has decided that Switzerland will take part in the category B world exhibition in Yeosu, South Korea, in 2012. Switzerland has accepted the invitation that it officially received from South Korea in a diplomatic note dated 3 February 2009.
04.06.2009
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Press releases
EDA
The 65 members of the Geneva Disarmament Conference (CD) today adopted a programme of work by consensus. Switzerland welcomes this development, which is important for Geneva's role as a venue for international disarmament negotiations.
03.06.2009
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Press releases
EDA
With deep dismay, grief and outrage the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has learned of the probable killing of the British hostage who has been in captivity in Mali since 22 January 2009. The FDFA continues to focus all its efforts on the release of the remaining hostage, a Swiss citizen.
09.10.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
The hurdles for registering a ship under the Swiss flag are high. To enable more ships to sail under the Swiss flag, the Federal Council relaxed the registration requirements at its meeting on 27 September 2024. The corresponding ordinances have been amended, as part of the planned revision of maritime shipping legislation.
09.10.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
In view of the humanitarian impact of the escalating violence in the Middle East, the Federal Council decided at its meeting on 9 October 2024 to allocate an additional CHF 7 million in aid for Lebanon and Syria. This sum will be taken from the funds set aside for emergency aid by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). In line with Parliament's decision in December 2023, the foreign affairs committees will be consulted on this decision. These funds are in addition to the CHF 79 million allocated for humanitarian operations in the Middle East in 2024.
09.10.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
The Swiss government is to provide CHF 30 million to support the work of the Geneva-based Fondation suisse de déminage (FSD) in Ukraine until 2027. The decision, which was made at the Federal Council's meeting on 9 October 2024, underscores the importance of humanitarian demining in Ukraine's reconstruction.
09.10.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Switzerland was elected today to the UN Human Rights Council by the UN General Assembly in New York with 175 votes. It will serve as a member of the UN's most important intergovernmental human rights body for three years starting in early 2025.
08.10.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
The Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) foundation, co-founded by the Swiss Confederation, will hold its fourth summit from 9 to 11 October in Geneva, in presence of Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis. The high-level political segment, focused on anticipatory science diplomacy, will centre on the theme of ensuring widespread access to the groundbreaking scientific advances that will shape our future.
04.10.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Switzerland is organising a new shipment of equipment for Ukraine. This includes machines to clear rubble and debris, as well as firefighting equipment, which will be handed over to Ukraine's civil protection agency.The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) of the FDFA will finance and coordinate the transport. The Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) has donated the equipment, valued at CHF 5.6 million.
01.10.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Today, Switzerland has assumed the presidency of the UN Security Council for the second time. During its presidency in October, Switzerland will place its priorities at the centre of the Security Council's work, in particular promoting sustainable peace and protecting civilians –Swiss President Viola Amherd and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will be traveling to New York for this purpose.
27.09.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 27 September 2024, the Federal Council took a decision concerning the final instalment of the credit for humanitarian operations in the Middle East. A total of CHF 13 million will be used to support national and international organisations working in the region. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has been instructed to consult the foreign affairs committees. In this context, the FDFA informed the Federal Council about how it intends to implement Parliament's decision to reduce the humanitarian credit for 2024. The Federal Council reiterates its call for a diplomatic solution that upholds international humanitarian law and leads to de-escalation and peace in the Middle East.
25.09.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Statement by the President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd, head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), at the UN Security Council, open debate ‘Leadership for Peace’, New York, Wednesday, 25 September 2024.
25.09.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Since 2019, SDG Flag Day has been held every year on 25 September on the initiative of the business community (via the UN Global Compact). Schools, communes, organisations, companies and governments fly flags to symbolically express their support for the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the SDG Flag Day event in Lugano, the two Federal Council delegates for the 2030 Agenda, Markus Reubi and Daniel Dubas, emphasised the key role of cities in implementing the 2030 Agenda.
24.09.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
In her speech to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, 24 September, President Viola Amherd focused on peacebuilding and international humanitarian law. She emphasised Switzerland's commitment to strong and effective multilateralism.
16.09.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
On 17 and 18 October 2024, the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC2024) will be held at the EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne. The aim of the conference, which is being co-organised with Ukraine, is to highlight the critical importance of humanitarian demining as part of the country's social and economic recovery. The conference by Lake Geneva will bring together representatives from governments, international organisations, humanitarian demining and civil society.
24.11.2022 —
Article
EDA
Approximately 780,000 Swiss citizens abroad currently benefit from the wide range of services provided by a global network of representations offering advice and support. The FDFA Helpline is also on hand to answer queries 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Now there's a new app that makes staying in touch even easier: SwissInTouch keeps Switzerland at your fingertips.
29.01.2022 —
EDA
Allocution du président de la Confédération Ignazio Cassis, chef du Département fédéral des affaires étrangères, à l’occasion du 150e anniversaire du passage de la frontière de l’armée du général Bourbaki - Check against delivery.
21.05.2021 —
EDA
Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), on the occasion of the 131st (virtual) Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Check against delivery.
04.09.2020 —
EDA
Camorino, 04.09.2020 - Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the Inauguration Ceremony "Ceneri2020" - Check against delivery
25.08.2020 —
EDA
Bern, 25.08.2020: Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the retirement of the ambassadors and the welcoming of the young diplomats who are taking up their posts in the service of the FDFA. Check against delivery.
26.06.2020 —
EDA
Geneva, 26.06.2020: Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the 75th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter - Check against delivery
29.01.2020 —
DEZA
The FDFA has showcased some innovative technology at the 50th WEF, which could reduce global CO2 emissions by millions of tonnes per year. The SDC undertakes a range of projects in the construction industry, working in cooperation with academia and the private sector. The aim of these projects, which are located in emerging economies, is to tackle global warming effectively.
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.
14.01.2020 —
Article
DEZA
Honeyland has been nominated for an Oscar in the categories Best International Feature Film and Best Documentary. The film’s hero, Hatidze Muratova, champions environmental protection and the sustainable management of natural resources. She was discovered through the Nature Conservation Programme launched by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
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.
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.