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.
30.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has received the Brazilian foreign minister, Mauro Vieira, in Solothurn. Political and economic relations and collaboration in the fields of sustainability, science and multilateral forums were at the heart of the discussions. The Brazilian minister's Swiss origins were also discussed.
27.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
On Sunday 28 April, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will travel to Saudi Arabia for a World Economic Forum special meeting. In his capacity as head of the FDFA, Mr Cassis was invited by his Saudi counterpart to attend the two-day event which aims to bridge the growing North-South divide by promoting global collaboration.
25.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
On 24 April 2024, the UN General Assembly approved funding for an independent institution to investigate cases of missing persons in Syria, to be based in Geneva. As part of its peace policy, Switzerland is firmly committed to clarifying the fate of detained and missing persons. In doing so, it is making a significant contribution to dealing with the past, which is central to peace processes – including in Syria. Switzerland therefore welcomes the international community's decision for the institution to begin its work in International Geneva in 2024.
25.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
The r4d programme of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) came to a close today at a public event in Bern. The two institutions also took the opportunity to launch a new programme called Solution-oriented Research for Development (SOR4D). The two programmes involve the implementation of projects in the fields of health, food security, social conflicts, ecosystems, employment and income in developing countries.
24.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 24 April 2024, the Federal Council decided to proceed with the planned use of CHF 56 million of humanitarian funding earmarked for the Middle East. The FDFA has been instructed to consult with the foreign affairs committees on this matter. A decision on the disbursement of the Swiss contribution to UNRWA will be made at a later date.
23.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, received Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg in Bern today. Their discussions focused on the close bilateral relations between the two countries, Switzerland's European policy, current international affairs and the security situation. Both ministers reaffirmed their joint commitment to promoting global peace.
18.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Palestine's application for full UN membership will not be submitted to the UN General Assembly due to the veto by the United States on 18 April in the UN Security Council. Switzerland abstained from the vote. After assessing the situation and consulting with the chairs of the parliamentary foreign affairs committees, the Federal Council concluded that granting Palestine full UN membership at this time would not be conducive to easing the situation and peace efforts in the Middle East. Switzerland remains committed to the two-state solution.
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.
17.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
State Secretary Alexandre Fasel received a US delegation for political consultations in Bern on 17 April. The delegation was led by Assistant Secretary James O'Brien, who is in charge of European and Eurasian affairs at the US Department of State. On the agenda were the many ongoing or recently concluded bilateral negotiations, particularly in the area of taxation, which are concrete examples of the dynamism of bilateral relations.
15.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At the international donors' conference on 15 April 2024 in Paris, Switzerland pledged CHF 19 million to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Sudan. As a result of the ongoing hostilities over the past year, the country is experiencing one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our time. To date, 8.6 million people have been displaced, and the country is on the brink of a devastating famine. From the beginning of the crisis, Switzerland has been actively engaged at multiple levels to help end the conflict and improve the situation on the ground.
12.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
The third International Cooperation Forum (IC Forum) concluded today in Basel. Over 1,000 representatives from politics, business, science, and civil society gathered alongside President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd, FDFA head Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, and Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde to discuss the theme of peace promotion. Discussions centred on three core values: critical dialogue, trust, and innovation, all aimed at finding new pathways for tangible and sustainable progress. A highlight of the 2024 forum was the Swiss IC Awards, recognising innovative peace-building projects by Swiss companies.
12.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis paid an official visit to Croatia today. He was received by his counterpart, Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman. The meeting focused on bilateral relations, Swiss–EU relations and the geopolitical context.
03.05.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey today received the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan at the Lohn Manor in Kehrsatz near Bern for an official working visit. Their talks focused on bilateral relations, for example economic and development cooperation.
28.04.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
Switzerland takes positive note of the announcement issued on 27 April 2011 regarding the signing of an inter-Palestinian reconciliation agreement. It also wishes to welcome Egypt’s key role in brokering this deal.
20.04.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
On Wednesday, the Federal Council approved the first report of the Interdepartmental Working Group (IDWG) on Fighting Corruption. This assessment of the current situation with regard to national and international activities to fight corruption confirms the high standard of integrity and resistance against corruption in Switzerland. At the same time, room for improvement was identified in some less central areas such as dealing with conflicts of interest and transparency. The report also states that the emerging markets should be held more strictly to account at the international level.
20.04.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council has decided to allocate CHF 45.6 million to a programme for improvement of maternity and child care in Lithuania as part of Switzerland's enlargement contribution to the newly acceded EU countries. It will be jointly financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
19.04.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
Malaria affects two billion people across the world and takes the lives of a million children each year. In spite of the progress that has been made, it remains a serious obstacle to development. An exhibition in Bern which aims to raise public awareness will be opened on 26 April in the presence of Martin Dahinden, Director-General of the SDC. This event has been organised in conjunction with World Malaria Day.
19.04.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
Upon the initiative of Switzerland, 11 countries are calling on the UN Security Council to strengthen due process guarantees in the sanctions system. They are asking that persons subject to sanctions be granted an effective remedy before an independent and impartial UN authority.
15.04.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, will travel to the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, on Tuesday, 19 April 2011 to attend the Summit marking the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster. The theme of the Summit is safer and innovative uses of nuclear energy.
13.04.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf as head of the Swiss delegation, Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann and Philipp Hildebrand, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), will take part in the joint Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Washington from 15 to 16 April 2011. The most important topics of discussion in the International Monetary and Financial Committee will be the state of the global economy and the future role of the IMF in the international financial and monetary system. The focus of the discussions in the Development Committee (DC) will be the volatility of food prices, reforms to the World Bank and the progress on achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
11.04.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey paid a visit to Vienna on 11 April 2011 for official talks. She was greeted with military honours by Austrian President Heinz Fischer, and met with Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann in the afternoon. She also used this occasion for a meeting with Yukiya Amano, Secretary General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
05.04.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
On Monday 11 April 2011, the President of the Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, will travel to Vienna for official talks. She will be received with military honours by the Austrian Federal President, Heinz Fischer, and in the afternoon she will meet the Federal Chancellor, Werner Faymann. The talks will focus on bilateral relations, Swiss-EU relations and current regional and international issues of common interest.
05.04.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
Switzerland has been committed to the fight against poverty for fifty years. To highlight its action and enable the public to discover its many activities, Swiss Development and Cooperation (SDC) is organising street events in several Swiss cities. The first event will take place on 7 April in Geneva in the presence of Toni Frisch, Deputy Director-General of the SDC. Other cities will follow. Under the motto "Fifty Years SDC – More than Aid", the SDC's jubilee will also be marked by discussions, lectures and film series throughout the year.
29.03.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal President Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will be in Armenia for an official visit from 31 March to 1 April 2011. Her program will include not just official talks but also the ceremonial opening of the Swiss embassy in the capital of Yerevan.
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.