Press releases

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Bomb attacks in Indonesia

17.07.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs condemns in the strongest terms the bomb attacks carried out today, 17 July 2009, at two hotels in Jakarta which claimed numerous innocent victims.

Switzerland is forced to unfreeze Mobutu assets

16.07.2009 — Press releases EDA
On 14 July 2009, the Federal Criminal Court rejected a complaint regarding the Mobutu assets. In these circumstances and in accordance with the Federal Council decision of 30 April 2009, there is no alternative but to end the freezing of these assets. The FDFA has informed the banks and the parties concerned. The FDFA deplores this outcome, which ends twelve years of freezing of the assets in which all options to come to a fair solution were attempted. This case underlines the need to adapt the Swiss legal framework.

US – UBS Tax Case: Joint Motion to Stay the Court Proceedings

13.07.2009 — Press releases EDA
Today, the US Government and UBS, with the support of the Swiss Government, filed a joint motion to stay the civil litigation pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida in Miami. The parties asked the judge to stay the proceedings for 15 days in order to achieve a settlement. The Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Federal Department for Foreign Affairs who have conducted the talks leading to the motion for a stay support this step. Further information is not available as the already ongoing settlement negotiations between the US and Swiss governments are confidential.

The FDFA is concerned about the situation in the Chinese province Xinjiang

08.07.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is worried about the latest events in the Chinese province of Xinjiang.

Switzerland engages in the Peacebuilding Commission of the United Nations

06.07.2009 — Press releases EDA
Ambassador Peter Maurer, Head of the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations in New York, was elected on 29 June 2009 to chair the Burundi Configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission of the United Nations in New York. As of 1 July 2009, Switzerland takes over from Sweden for a period of one year. Switzerland has been a member of the Configuration since May.

The FDFA condemns executions in Iran

06.07.2009 — Press releases EDA
The FDFA condemns the execution of about 20 persons in Iran at the weekend.

FDFA concerned by political developments in Niger

03.07.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is concerned about the current political situation in Niger. The FDFA deplores the decision of President Tandja to dissolve the Constitutional Court and is deeply concerned by his decision to hold a constitutional referendum on the establishment of a 6th Republic in Niger.

Head of the FDFA meets the initiators of the Geneva Initiative

30.06.2009 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey received today the two initiators of the Geneva Initiative, Yossi Beilin and Yasser Abbed-Rabo. The discussions touched on the progress made in the past few months on annexes to the Geneva Accord which describe in detail the terms of a possible peace agreement.

Meeting between President Merz and the Kyrgyz Prime Minister Chudinov

30.06.2009 — Press releases EDA
On 30 June President Merz received the Kyrgyz Prime Minister Igor Chudinov for a courtesy call in Bern. Chudinov subsequently also met Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and Martin Dahinden, Director-General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). In addition, Prime Minister Chudinov signed up to a project on business development in the textile sector with the State Secretary for Economic Affairs Jean-Daniel Gerber.

FDFA concerned about situation in Honduras

29.06.2009 — Press releases EDA

President Merz to receive Kyrgyz Prime Minister Chudinov

29.06.2009 — Press releases EDA
On 30 June President Merz will receive the Kyrgyz Prime Minister Igor Chudinov for a courtesy call in Bern. In the meeting, the cooperation between the two countries in the Bretton Woods Institutions will be discussed, along with bilateral relations. Switzerland and Kyrgyzstan belong to the same constituency in the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In addition, current topics such as the financial crisis and prospects for the global economy will also be on the agenda.

Switzerland takes part in the Holocaust Era Assets Conference in Prague

26.06.2009 — 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.

Media (3417)

Political consultations in New Delhi to further strengthen bilateral relations

13.02.2025 — Press releases EDA
The state secretary of the FDFA, Mr Alexandre Fasel, and his Indian counterpart, Mr Tanmaya Lal, met today in New Delhi for the 13th round of annual bilateral political consultations. These discussions marked an important stage in cooperation between the two countries, focusing on economic relations, environmental challenges and regional and international issues.

Support for reconstruction: Federal Council adopts 2025–28 country programme for Ukraine

12.02.2025 — Press releases EDA
The 2025–28 country programme marks the start of a twelve-year federal support process for reconstruction, reform and sustainable development in Ukraine. At its meeting on 12 February, the Federal Council defined the priorities of the country programme, namely protection of the civilian population, peace, economic recovery and strengthening institutions. CHF 1.5 billion from the international cooperation budget has been earmarked up to 2028. Ambassador Jacques Gerber, the Federal Council's delegate for Ukraine, is responsible for implementing the country programme.

EFTA–Mercosur and bilateral relations: Ignazio Cassis concludes five-day visit to Latin America

08.02.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), visited Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil from 3 to 7 February. Finalising the EFTA–Mercosur free trade agreement and advancing Switzerland's economic interests were central to the Federal Councillor's discussions in these three countries. Other current foreign policy issues were also addressed.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to visit Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil

31.01.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will visit Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil from 3 to 7 February 2025. As part of its Americas Strategy 2022–25, Switzerland aims to strengthen its political relations with the countries of the Americas in the areas of foreign policy, the economy, innovation and culture. The agenda for the trip includes the finalisation of the EFTA-Mercosur free trade agreement, Switzerland's economic interests, and bilateral relations between Switzerland and these three Latin American countries.

2030 Agenda implementation: FDFA assesses progress at federal and cantonal levels and in organisations

30.01.2025 — Press releases EDA
Every four years, Switzerland presents to the other UN member states how it is progressing in implementing the 2030 Agenda's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In its country report, which will be presented in mid-2026, it will also draw on information from the cantons, communes and organisations from the business community, the financial centre, academia and civil society. All relevant actors have until the end of May 2025 to submit details of their activities via the 'SDGital2030' digital platform.

Development cooperation: FDFA and EAER implement Parliament's decisions

29.01.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its 29 January 2025 meeting, the Federal Council was informed about how the cuts to development cooperation decided on by Parliament will be implemented. In late December, Parliament made cuts of CHF 110 million to the 2025 budget and CHF 321 million to the 2026–28 financial plan for bilateral and multilateral development cooperation. The cuts do not affect humanitarian aid, peace promotion or support for Ukraine.

Negotiating mandate for recognition of electronic signatures

29.01.2025 — Press releases EDA
Electronic signatures on documents should be recognised in Switzerland and in the European Union (EU). At its meeting on 29 January 2025, the Federal Council instructed the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) to draw up a corresponding mandate for negotiating with the EU, in collaboration with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

Swiss expert becomes Special Representative of the OSCE chairperson-in-office on South Caucasus

24.01.2025 — Press releases EDA
The chairperson-in-office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Finland's foreign minister Elina Valtonen, has appointed Christoph Späti as the Special Representative of the Finnish OSCE Chairpersonship for the South Caucasus. The Swiss expert, who most recently served as programme manager for the South Caucasus in the FDFA's Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD), took up the post of Special Representative on 21 January 2025.

Ignazio Cassis highlights Europe, Ukraine and the Middle East at Davos 2025

23.01.2025 — Press releases EDA
At the 2025 edition of the World Economic Forum, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, placed particular emphasis on European policy and the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East. He also raised matters relating to security and cooperation, particularly as Switzerland prepares to chair the OSCE in 2026.

Switzerland and Ukraine launch private sector partnership for reconstruction

23.01.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 23 January, at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland and Ukraine signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding the role of Swiss businesses operating in Ukraine in the country's recovery. The MoU was signed by Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko.

Official working visit by Vice Premier of the State Affairs Council of the People's Republic of China, Mr Ding Xuexiang

20.01.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 20 January 2025, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, Vice President of the Federal Council and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), welcomed Mr Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier of the State Affairs Council of the People's Republic of China, in Bern for an official working visit. Switzerland and the People's Republic of China are currently celebrating the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

Programme of members of the Federal Council attending the 2025 WEF Annual Meeting

17.01.2025 — Press releases EDA
The 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum will take place in Davos next week. Six members of the Federal Council will be attending the event. President Karin Keller-Sutter will open the event together with WEF founder Prof. Klaus Schwab on Tuesday, 21 January.

Other news (300)

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

SDC Newsletter: Africa, CO2 reduction and WEF

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.

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.

Honeyland Oscar nominee

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).

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.

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