Press releases

All news (3746)

Official working visit by the Georgian Foreign Minister, Grigol Vashadze, to Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey

14.12.2009 — Press releases EDA
On 14 December 2009, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received the Georgian Foreign Minister, Grigol Vashadze, for an official working visit in Von-Wattenwyl-Haus in Bern. The talks covered among other matters bilateral relations and the situation in Georgia.

Federal Council requests approval of the EU agreement on easing customs formalities and customs security

27.11.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council has approved the dispatch on adopting and implementing the Agreement between Switzerland and the EU on easing customs formalities and customs security for the attention of parliament. The agreement makes provision for integrating Switzerland's customs security measures with those of the EU. In this way obstacles to the bilateral movement of goods will be avoided. The agreement has been applied provisionally since 1 July 2009.

Official working visit by the Foreign Minister of Liechtenstein, Aurelia Frick, to Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey

24.11.2009 — Press releases EDA
On 24 November 2009, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received the Foreign Minister of Liechtenstein, Dr. Aurelia Frick, for an official working visit in the Von-Wattenwyl-Haus in Bern. This is the first formal meeting between the current Foreign Minister of Liechtenstein and Federal Councillor Calmy-Rey.

Population developments in times of climate change

20.11.2009 — Press releases EDA
The climate cannot be stabilised merely by technical solutions. Gender equality and the fight against poverty are complementary approaches that also need to be taken into account at the Copenhagen Climate Conference. This is the recommendation of the UN State of the World Population Report which was presented in Bern on Friday, with accompanying comments by SDC director Mr Dahinden.

Switzerland takes over chairmanship of the Council of Europe

18.11.2009 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland today took over the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, the principal decision-making body of the Council of Europe, for a period of six months. Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), took over from her predecessor, the Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Žbogar, at a meeting of the Delegates of the Committee of Ministers in Strasbourg. At this meeting the head of the FDFA presented Switzerland's priorities.

Switzerland calls for an end to Israeli settlement plans in Gilo, East Jerusalem

18.11.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is extremely concerned about Israel's plans to extend the Jewish settlement in Gilo, East Jerusalem, by 900 apartments. It appeals to the Israeli government to end these activities immediately and to stop all settlement projects in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Il Consigliere federale Leuenberger rappresenta il Consiglio d'Europa al quarto Internet Governance Forum (IGF)

13.11.2009 — Press releases EDA
Il 15 novembre 2009 il Consigliere federale Moritz Leuenberger parteciperà, nel quadro della Presidenza svizzera del Consiglio d'Europa, all'apertura del quarto Forum dell'ONU sulla gestione di Internet (Internet Governance Forum, IGF) a Sharm El Sheik.

German Foreign Minister Westerwelle in Bern

12.11.2009 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey received the visit of German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle for working discussions in Bern on Thursday, two weeks after his entry into office. Before the working meeting began, the German Foreign Minister paid a courtesy call on Swiss President Hans-Rudolf Merz.

Official working visit by the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs

10.11.2009 — Press releases EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Mrs Calmy-Rey received Mr Eduard Nalbandian, Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs, for a working visit on Tuesday evening. Two agreements were signed at the meeting. One was an adaptation of the air traffic treaty of 1998, while the other concerned the issuance of visas to diplomats.

Visit by Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe

10.11.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, payed an official visit to Switzerland today Tuesday 10 November 2009.. His talks with Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey focused on Switzerland’s imminent accession to the chair of the Committee of Ministers, the Council of Europe’s decision-making body. Switzerland supports the Commissioner in his work in a number of ways, including the secondment of human rights experts.

Both Swiss returned to the Swiss embassy in Tripoli

09.11.2009 — Press releases EDA

International Conference on “60 Years of the Geneva Conventions and the decades to come”

09.11.2009 — Press releases EDA
A conference of experts organised by Switzerland in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) entitled “60 Years of the Geneva Conventions and the decades to come” began today at the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG). Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger and the former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan attended the opening ceremony.

Media (3595)

Cyclone Gezani in Madagascar: Switzerland deploys specialists and equipment

13.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
In response to the critical humanitarian situation caused by Cyclone Gezani in Madagascar, Switzerland will be sending a team of eight experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) as well as equipment. The deployment comes as the island faces its second cyclone in the space of two weeks.

Federal Councillors Martin Pfister, Ignazio Cassis and Beat Jans to attend the Munich Security Conference

12.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillors Martin Pfister, Ignazio Cassis and Beat Jans will attend the Munich Security Conference (MSC 26) from 13 to 15 February. In a rapidly changing security environment, this conference offers an opportunity for high-level discussions on how to strengthen Europe's security. It also provides a platform for promoting values such as peace and the rule of law.

2026 Winter Olympics: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis holds talks in Milan

12.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, was in Milan on 11 and 12 February 2026 for the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. He met with the president of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana, and Milan's mayor, Giuseppe Sala. Talks focused on bilateral relations, particularly with the Lombardy region, the tragedy in Crans-Montana, cross-border cooperation and the potential of the 2026 Winter Olympics to bring benefits to the region.

Ukraine: Federal Council approves aid package for the supply of urgently needed energy goods

11.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
Ukraine is currently facing its worst energy crisis since the start of the war. Swiss companies will be delivering high-performance generators and electricity modules to Ukraine in the coming weeks to provide support in this difficult situation. Following a request from the Ukrainian government, on 11 February 2026 the Federal Council approved aid up to a cost ceiling of CHF 32 million.

2026 Winter Olympics: Federal Councillor Cassis travels to Milan

11.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will travel to Milan on 11 and 12 February 2026 on the occasion of the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. There, he will hold talks with regional and city authorities.

OSCE conference on combating antisemitism

09.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
With an appeal to fight antisemitism, hatred and discrimination, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, opened the OSCE conference on ‘Combating anti-Semitism: addressing challenges of intolerance and discrimination’ on 9 February 2026. The two-day conference is taking place in St Gallen and is the first of several international conferences to be held within the framework of Switzerland's 2026 OSCE chairpersonship.

OSCE press release: Meeting between OSCE Chairman Cassis and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov in Moscow

06.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
OSCE Chairman-in-Office Ignazio Cassis and OSCE Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow today. This was the first visit by an OSCE Chairperson-in-Office to the Russian Federation since February 24, 2022.

OSCE press release: OSCE chairman-in-office Cassis to visit Moscow

04.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
OSCE chairman-in-office Ignazio Cassis and OSCE Secretary General, Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu will travel to Moscow on 5-6 February for meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov.

OSCE press release: OSCE chairman-in-office Ignazio Cassis in Ukraine

02.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
In his role as OSCE chairman-in-office, Ignazio Cassis met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv on 2 February 2026.

Federal Council adopts Anti-Corruption Strategy 2026–29

28.01.2026 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 28 January, the Federal Council adopted its Anti-Corruption Strategy 2026–29. The strategy sets priorities for fighting corruption in areas of the Federal Administration that are particularly exposed and present an increased risk, and for reducing the vulnerability of Swiss businesses to corruption abroad. The strategy is mainly intended for the Federal Administration but also for target groups outside the Federal Administration.

AI Summit 2027: Switzerland indicates willingness to host event

28.01.2026 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 28 January, the Federal Council confirmed Switzerland's intention to organise a summit on artificial intelligence (AI) in Geneva in 2027. A final decision will be taken at the next AI summit in Delhi in February.

Switzerland condemns use of chemical weapons in Syria

27.01.2026 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland takes note of the fifth report of the Investigation and Identification Team of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which was mandated to identify the perpetrators of chemical weapons use in Kafr Zita in the Hama Governorate of Syria on 1 October 2016. Switzerland condemns the use of chemical weapons in the strongest terms and calls for those responsible to be held accountable.

Other news (151)

SwissInTouch, Switzerland in your pocket

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.

Speech - 150e anniversaire du passage de la frontière de l’armée du général Bourbaki

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.

"Digitalisation - an opportunity for Europe's democratic values"

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.

Official opening of the Ceneri Base Tunnel

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

Passaggio di testimone tra generazioni (de-fr-it)

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.

75 years of the United Nations (fr)

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

Opening of the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council (fr)

24.02.2020 — EDA
Geneva, 24.02.2020 - Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis - Check against delivery

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.

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.

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.

FDFA

News

Press releases

Press releases

All news (3746)

Media (3595)

Other news (151)

Links

Information for the media

Contact