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.
27.05.2024
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Press releases
EDA
On 27 May 2024, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received Bakary Yaou Sangaré, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigeriens Abroad of the Republic of Niger, in Bern. The official working visit took place within the context of the long-standing relations of friendship and cooperation between Switzerland and Niger. The talks focused on the prospects for normalisation in Niger and the challenges facing the region.
27.05.2024
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Press releases
EDA
The Syrian population is still suffering from the consequences of the ongoing conflict that began in 2011, and these are also being felt in neighbouring countries. Switzerland reaffirmed its commitment by pledging CHF 60 million at the 8th Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region on 27 May 2024.
24.05.2024
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Press releases
EDA
On 24 May 2024, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution for the protection of humanitarian and UN personnel in conflict zones. The resolution, which was negotiated and submitted by Switzerland to the Security Council for a vote, highlights the country's long-standing commitment to the protection of civilians – a priority of the Federal Council for Switzerland's 2023–24 term on the council.
23.05.2024
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Press releases
EDA
FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel met with Türkiye's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mehmet Kemal Bozay in Ankara on 22 May 2024. The talks focused on bilateral relations, human rights, regional developments, European integration and the war against Ukraine.
22.05.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 22 May 2024, the Federal Council decided to support the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) with a total amount of CHF 49.5 million between 2025 and 2027. IFAD's overarching goal is to drive forward the fight against poverty and hunger in rural areas. The Federal Council's decision continues Switzerland's support for IFAD, which has been ongoing since 1978.
22.05.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 22 May 2024, the Federal Council adopted the Dispatch on the International Cooperation Strategy 2025–28 (IC Strategy 2025–28). The dispatch outlines the objectives and priorities of Switzerland's international cooperation for the next four years and proposes them to Parliament for approval. The IC Strategy 2025–28 provides for a budget of CHF 11.27 billion over four years. In light of an ever-changing world, the strategy pursues long-term objectives – combating poverty and promoting sustainable development – while maintaining a high degree of flexibility to respond to the many current crises.
21.05.2024
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Press releases
EDA
On Wednesday, 22 May, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will travel to Budapest to meet with his Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjártó and Minister for European Union Affairs Janos Bóka. He will also pay a courtesy visit to President Tamás Sulyok. Hungary will hold the presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2024. Following his visit to Hungary, Mr Cassis will travel to Montenegro on 23 May at the invitation of Foreign Minister Filip Ivanovic, before meeting Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Siniša Mali in Belgrade on Friday, 24 May.The meetings will focus on Switzerland's bilateral relations with the three countries, European policy and the European security situation.
17.05.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Switzerland organised a meeting of the UN Security Council on 17 May 2024 to strengthen collaboration between the scientific community and the council. Incorporating science into the council's decision-making process can foster mutual trust and help prevent conflicts, promoting sustainable peace – a key priority for the Federal Council during Switzerland's Security Council membership in 2023–24.
15.05.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 15 May 2024, the Federal Council took note of the eighth annual report on the implementation of the Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad (PSSA). The Act requires companies intending to offer private security services abroad from Switzerland to declare the services to the competent authority in advance. In 2023, the FDFA received 95 declarations from companies. No activities were prohibited.
13.05.2024
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Press releases
EDA
The head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, will attend the 133rd session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 16 and 17 May 2024, which will be held under the presidency of the Principality of Liechtenstein. The discussions will focus on the war against Ukraine and the adoption of a framework convention on artificial intelligence. Mr Cassis will also take part in the ceremony marking the council's 75th anniversary.
08.05.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 8 May 2024, the Federal Council decided to make a contribution of CHF 10 million to the humanitarian aid appeal of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The CHF 10 million contribution is exclusively earmarked for Gaza and will be used to provide the urgent assistance specified in the UNRWA Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory covering the period April–December 2024. In its overall assessment, the Federal Council drew on the analysis of the Colonna report and coordination with other donors. The Federal Council will submit this decision to the foreign affairs committees of the National Council and Council of States for consultation.
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.
14.10.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
An environmental expert from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) will be arriving in the Hungarian disaster area today. At the request of the Hungarian government he will support the authorities in their efforts to deal with the toxic waste disaster.
13.10.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, has today received the Vice-President of the Republic of Colombia in Geneva for a courtesy visit.
11.10.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey paid an official visit to Estonia and Lithuania on Sunday and Monday. In these two Baltic countries, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) met her counterparts and discussed a number of bilateral issues. The European Union and the OSCE were also items on the agenda.
10.10.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
10 October 2010 is World Day Against the Death Penalty. On this occasion, Switzerland reflects on its commitment to the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances and in all regions of the world.
07.10.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey will pay an official working visit to Estonia and Lithuania on Sunday and Monday next. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) will meet her counterparts in the two Baltic countries to discuss bilateral and multilateral issues.
07.10.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Hans-Rudolf Merz as head of the Swiss delegation, State Secretary Jean-Pierre Gerber, SECO Director, and Philipp Hildebrand, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), will take part in the joint Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Washington D.C. from 8 to 9 October 2010. The most important topics of discussion in the International Monetary and Financial Committee will be the state of the global economy and the strengthening of the governance structure of the IMF. The focus of the discussions in the Development Committee will be the strategy of the World Bank, the current World Bank governance reforms and the progress on achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
06.10.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
On 6 October 2010, Switzerland and Kosovo signed an agreement in Pristina on technical and financial cooperation, and humanitarian aid. The agreement creates a new legal framework for cooperation between the two states in the context of the political and economic reforms currently being implemented in Kosovo. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat of Economic Affairs (SECO) are supporting the transformation process with an annual amount of approximately 15 million Swiss francs.
30.09.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
On 29 September 2010, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey met the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, Helen Clark, in Berne. Martin Dahinden, Director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), took part in the talks. The UNDP is Switzerland's most important partner institution within the UN system in the field of development.
27.09.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
The biggest solar-powered boat in the world, the MS TÛRANOR PlanetSolar, left the port of Monaco on Monday 27 September 2010 at 2.00 p.m. to begin the first-ever voyage around the world by a solar-powered vessel. The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), which has been supporting the project for nearly two years, is associated with the expedition as an official partner.
23.09.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) condemns the bomb attack carried out during a military parade in the Iranian city of Mahabad in the strongest of terms.
17.09.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
At today’s meeting, the Federal Council approved a dispatch to parliament in which it sets out how it will increase official development assistance (ODA) to 0.5% of the Gross National Product (GNP) by the year 2015. The additional funds are, in particular, to be injected into projects and programmes in the domain of water and the climate, thus enabling Switzerland to fulfil its multilateral commitments.
17.09.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
The Lisbon Treaty entered into force on 1 December 2009. Which changes does this treaty entail for the EU? And what are its effects on Switzerland? These questions were at the heart of this year's International Law Day held by the Directorate of International Law of the FDFA. At the event, experts in European law and representatives from the Swiss federal administration and political sphere provided answers to these questions. In her closing speech, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey talked about Switzerland's EU policy against the backdrop of the Lisbon Treaty.
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.