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.
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.
11.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillors Karin Keller-Sutter and Guy Parmelin, together with Swiss National Bank Chairman Thomas Jordan, will attend the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington from 17 to 19 April 2024. A meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors, as well as a ministerial meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), will also take place as part of this gathering. In addition, the two Federal Councillors will take this opportunity to hold bilateral meetings.
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%.
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.
10.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Switzerland will continue to support the Green Climate Fund (GCF) with a total contribution of CHF 135 million over the next four years. The Federal Council took this decision at its meeting on 10 April 2024. The GCF helps developing countries take concrete action to achieve the goals of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. In particular, it funds initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change.
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.
09.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe convened this year's Conference on Addressing Anti-Semitism in the OSCE region in Malta on 8 and 9 October. It marked the 20th anniversary of the OSCE's Berlin declaration against antisemitism and highlighted the sharp rise in antisemitism since the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the outbreak of the war in Gaza. The participating states underlined the need for interfaith and intercultural dialogue to bridge divides between communities. Switzerland, which was represented by Ambassador Simon Geissbühler at the conference, called for the swift implementation of concrete short- and long-term measures against antisemitism.
09.02.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
Ambassador Toni Frisch, Delegate for Humanitarian Aid and Head of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit, will be representing Switzerland on Wednesday at a thematic debate of the UN General Assembly in New York on disaster risk reduction.
08.02.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal President Micheline Calmy-Rey met with the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and the President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek on Tuesday in Brussels. An important topic discussed during the official visit was the possibility of a holistic and coordinated approach to the relationship between Switzerland and the EU.
07.02.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
According to the official result of the secession referendum, an overwhelming majority of the electorate of South Sudan voted in favour of separation from the north of the country. Switzerland expressed its satisfaction with the relatively smooth, peaceful and orderly progress of the referendum. “This represents significant political progress on the road to lasting peace,” said Federal President Micheline Calmy-Rey.
04.02.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey will participate once again this year at the Munich Security Conference. This 47th edition of the Conference, scheduled to be held from 4 to 6 February 2011 in Munich, will once again bring together participants from around the world, providing them with a forum for debate on security challenges. The Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) will take advantage of her participation at this year’s conference in Munich to hold talks with heads of state and government, as well as with other high-ranking personalities.
04.02.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has amended the Annex to the Ordinance on Measures Against Certain Individuals from Tunisia. Through its rapid precautionary freeze of funds, the Federal Council intends to facilitate legal assistance with the Tunisian authorities in view of the possible initiation of criminal procedures. Switzerland has in the meantime received an application for legal assistance from Tunisia. The information on individuals affected by the Swiss measures could therefore be amended to reflect the criminal procedures that have been, or can be expected to be initiated in Tunisia. The amendments enter into force today.
03.02.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
"Switzerland and Hungary enjoy excellent bilateral relations and are a successful example of authentic European relations", said President of the Confederation and Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey at the end of her state visit to the Hungarian EU presidency in Budapest.
03.02.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
Switzerland is the first country to confirm its participation at Expo Milano 2015. Today, the official celebrations took place in the Centro Svizzero in Milan. As a gift, the Swiss delegation presented the Mayor of Milan, Letizia Moratti, with an apple tree of the latest Swiss eco-variety, Galiwa.
02.02.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
The new Federal Act on the Restitution of Assets of Politically Exposed Persons obtained by Unlawful Means (RIAA) came into force on 1 February 2011. Today the Federal Council decided to ask the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) to initiate proceedings for the forfeiture of the Duvalier funds frozen in Switzerland. The Federal Administrative Court (FAC) will be in charge of these proceedings.
02.02.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
The management team of the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation, within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, is again complete: Maya Tissafi has been appointed vice-director and Head of South Cooperation Department; she will take up her new responsibilities on 1 March 2011. The new Head of Global Cooperation and vice-director is Michel Mordasini, who will begin work in his new function on 1 May 2011.
01.02.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
Switzerland is ranked eighth on the 2010 Nation Brands Index (NBI), and thus once again figures among the leading countries of the world in terms of image. In view of the fact that Switzerland was often in the international spotlight during that year, this may be regarded as an excellent result. However, its image suffered a slight setback in the “Population” category, and in particular in Turkey and in Egypt. As has been the case in previous years, Switzerland continues to enjoy a better rating from countries overseas than from European nations. Once again, Germany is the main exception here.
01.02.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
The Federal Act on the Restitution of Assets of Politically Exposed Persons obtained by Unlawful Means (RIAA) came into force on 1 February 2011. It governs the freezing, forfeiture and restitution of the assets of politically exposed persons (PEPs) in cases where a request for mutual assistance cannot succeed in the requesting state due to the failure of its judicial system. This new law confirms Switzerland’s position of international leadership when it comes to the restitution of assets of illicit origin.
31.01.2011 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal President Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department for Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will be in Hungary for a state visit from 2 to 3 February 2011. Hungary currently holds the EU presidency.
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.