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President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, to pay state visit to Switzerland

12.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
In recognition of the close and multifaceted relations between Switzerland and Kosovo, the Federal Council has invited Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu and her husband Prindon Sadriu to pay a state visit to Switzerland. President Karin Keller-Sutter will lead the Federal Council in corpore in welcoming President Osmani with military honours on Bundesplatz on Wednesday, 21 May. This will be followed by official speeches and political discussions. The programme the following day will focus on business and innovation.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives Foreign Minister Sabine Monauni from Liechtenstein

12.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
Mr Cassis received Liechtenstein's new deputy prime minister and minister for foreign affairs, environment and culture, Sabine Monauni, for an official inaugural visit in Bern on Monday. Talks focused on the two countries' traditionally close bilateral relations, European policy, regional cooperation under the EU Strategy for the Alpine region (EUSALP), international issues and the current geopolitical context. The two ministers also signed a revised agreement on environmental levies.

Palazzo Trevisan to remain outpost of Swiss excellence in Venice

09.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal councillors Ignazio Cassis and Elisabeth Baume-Schneider announced in Venice today the future set-up for the Palazzo Trevisan. As of 1 January 2026, the main floor of the palace will be turned into a platform managed by the FDFA which will not only build on the palace's important role in promoting Swiss culture but will also incorporate new activities in the fields of innovation, research and sustainability. This development is the result of collaboration between the FDFA and the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA), with the dual aim of strengthening the Palazzo Trevisan as a vector of Swiss excellence in Venice, and of further enriching the dense network of relations between Switzerland and Italy.

International trade: Karin Keller-Sutter and Guy Parmelin hold meetings with delegations from the United States and China

09.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
On Friday, 9 May 2025 in Geneva, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Karin Keller-Sutter, and the Vice President of the Federal Council, Guy Parmelin, met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Prior to that, they met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.

International cooperation: targeted Swiss support for UN agencies and International Geneva

08.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has decided the FDFA will grant CHF 39 million to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), UN Women, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for 2025. By renewing these contributions, the FDFA is also sending out a strong signal in support of International Geneva.

Switzerland's contribution to democracy promotion – new FDFA guidelines

07.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 7 May 2025 the FDFA published the Guidelines on Democracy, which set out objectives for democracy promotion and identify foreign policy instruments for strengthening democratic processes and institutions.

Ignazio Cassis meets with Hungarian foreign minister in Bern

05.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, today received the Hungarian foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó, in Bern for an official working visit. The talks centred on bilateral relations, European policy and current geopolitical issues.

Swiss–EU package: Federal Council calls for optional referendum

30.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 30 April 2025, the Federal Council took stock of the ongoing work on the Swiss–EU package. It decided to call an optional referendum on the agreements with the European Union (EU). In taking this decision, the Federal Council is signalling political continuity and coherence and giving Parliament and the cantons room for manoeuvre. Parliament will ultimately determine the nature of the referendum in the course of its deliberations.

Switzerland steps up its support for Africa

30.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council wants to contribute towards increasing the guarantee capital of the African Development Bank (AfDB). It is requesting Parliament to approve a guarantee credit of CHF 1.56 billion, as decided on 30 April. This would strengthen Switzerland's influence in the AfDB and help to further sustainable and inclusive economic development in Africa.

Switzerland's international cooperation: FDFA provides core contributions for 22 Swiss implementation partners

25.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
Swiss NGOs help implement the Federal Councillor’s International Cooperation Strategy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with their expertise, knowledge of local contexts, and networks. For the 2025-2026 period, the SDC has earmarked core contributions totalling CHF 235 million for Switzerland’s contracting partners.

China: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets Foreign Minister Wang Yi and hails 75 years of bilateral relations

25.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
The head of Switzerland's Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis, visited the People's Republic of China on 24 and 25 April 2025. His visit marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Switzerland established official relations with China in 1950, making it one of the first European countries to do so. In addition to an official meeting with China's foreign minister, Wang Yi, Mr Cassis' visit focused on efforts to modernise the free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries in order to improve market access for Swiss companies.

Uzbekistan: inauguration of the first maternity units modernised thanks to Karimova assets returned by Switzerland

24.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
Uzbekistan's first modernised maternity units were officially inaugurated today. The units were updated through a project funded by assets belonging to Gulnara Karimova, which had been definitively confiscated in Switzerland and restituted to the population of Uzbekistan. The aim of the USD 43.5 million project, implemented by the UN, is to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates by strengthening the capacity of healthcare facilities and improving the monitoring and care of mothers-to-be, young mothers, and babies.

Media (3463)

Switzerland calls on the parties in Sri Lanka to engage in political dialogue

19.05.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Swiss government welcomes the end of the armed conflict in the north of Sri Lanka. Switzerland deeply regrets that this conflict which has lasted for decades has caused countless deaths and that tens of thousands of internally displaced persons have been deprived of their livelihoods.

Switzerland appeals to release all Political Prisoners in Myanmar

15.05.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Swiss government is concerned about reports of deterioration in the state of health of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her transfer to a prison. The Swiss Government appeals to the Government of Myanmar to release immediately and unconditionally all political prisoners in the country, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Reception of the Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko in Bern

14.05.2009 — Press releases EDA
Today President Merz received the Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko on a visit to Bern. Along with bilateral relations, topics of discussion focussed on the European policies of both countries, the impact of the financial crisis on Switzerland and the Ukraine and multilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Talks of Swiss Foreign Minister in Stockholm

13.05.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, participated in talks in Stockholm on 13 May to which her Swedish counterpart Carl Bildt had invited a number of representatives of European states that do not belong to the European Union.

Federal Council takes decision to sign amended Agreement on the Carriage of Goods between Switzerland and the EU

13.05.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council has approved the changes in the international movement of goods and has taken the decision to sign the amended Agreement on the Carriage of Goods between Switzerland and the EU. The amendments are based on the new EU security requirements for the international movement of goods. After the signing, parliament will take the decision on approving the revised agreement. Subject to the approval of the committees in charge, it should be implemented provisionally from 1 July 2009.

Council of Europe ministers’ meeting in Madrid

11.05.2009 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey will travel to Madrid on 11-12 May 2009 to attend the Committee of Ministers meeting of the Council of Europe. The event will enable Switzerland to prepare its presidency of the Council of Europe, which begins on 18 November 2009 and will end in mid-May 2010.

Switzerland welcomes the release of US-Iranian citizen Saberi

11.05.2009 — Press releases EDA

Visit of the Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko to Bern

06.05.2009 — Press releases EDA
On 14 May 2009 President Merz will receive the Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko in Bern, in the presence of the Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey. Along with bilateral relations, topics of discussion will focus on the European policies and multilateral cooperation of both countries.

Official working visit to Bern by Macedonian foreign minister Antonio Milososki

04.05.2009 — Press releases EDA
On 4 May Macedonian foreign minister Antonio Milososki made an official working visit to Bern, where he held talks with his counterpart Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey.

Switzerland provides humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka and renews its appeals for compliance with international law

30.04.2009 — Press releases EDA
In light of the dramatic situation in the north of Sri Lanka, the FDFA is providing emergency humanitarian aid and continues to insist on compliance with international humanitarian law. The victims of the conflict must be protected and helped, and access by humanitarian actors must be guaranteed.

Mobutu assets to remain frozen awaiting outcome of complaints procedure

30.04.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Swiss government (Federal Council) was informed on 27 April 2009 of the lodging of a complaint with the Federal Criminal Court. This procedure was initiated by a private person in reaction to the decision of the Office of the Attorney General not to act upon the criminal complaint lodged in January 2009 with regard to the Mobutu assets. In order to give the Court sufficient time to consider the new complaint, the Federal Council has decided that the assets shall remain frozen until 31 October 2009, rather than as originally intended until 30 April 2009.

Appointment of a Head of Post in Genoa

30.04.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs announces the following appointment:

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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