Press releases

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Situation in Gaza at heart of discussions between Ignazio Cassis and Ayman Safadi in Amman

24.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travelled to Amman on 22 October for an official visit to Jordan. There he met with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, for in-depth discussions on regional political developments, the humanitarian situation in Gaza and bilateral cooperation between Switzerland and Jordan. The conflict in the Middle East and the US's 20-point peace plan were at the heart of the talks.

Injured children to be evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment

24.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
As part of a humanitarian operation, Switzerland is evacuating an initial group of seven injured children from the Gaza Strip to Switzerland. The children and persons accompanying them will be hosted by seven Swiss cantons, where they will receive medical treatment at university and cantonal hospitals. They will also undergo an asylum procedure in Switzerland. The humanitarian operation has been jointly organised by several federal agencies and cantons, and is being carried out in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Swiss Air-Rescue Rega.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to pay state visit to Switzerland

23.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will pay a two-day state visit to Switzerland next week at the invitation of the Federal Council, led by President Karin Keller-Sutter. The visit aims to underscore and further deepen the close and multifaceted relationship between the two countries. South Africa is strategically important for Switzerland and ranks among its most important partners on the African continent.

La situation à Gaza au cœur des discussions entre les ministres des affaires étrangère Ignazio Cassis et Ayman Safadi à Amman

23.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
Le conseiller fédéral Ignazio Cassis s’est rendu à Amman le 22 octobre pour une visite officielle en Jordanie. Il y a rencontré son homologue, le ministre des Affaires étrangères Ayman Safadi, pour un échange approfondi sur les évolutions politiques régionales, la situation humanitaire à Gaza et la coopération bilatérale entre la Suisse et le Royaume hachémite. Le confit au Proche-Orient et le plan de paix en 20 points des Etats-Unis ont été au cœur des échanges.

Federal Council initiates consultation on Amending Protocol to Agreement between Switzerland and EU on automatic exchange of information in tax matters

22.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
During its meeting on 22 October 2025, the Federal Council launched the consultation on the Amending Protocol to the Agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) on the automatic exchange of financial account information to improve international tax compliance. The Agreement will be aligned with the amended OECD standard and also contains new provisions on administrative assistance for the recovery of VAT claims.

House of Switzerland 2028 in California – a showcase for Swiss creativity and innovation

22.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting today, the Federal Council decided to capitalise on the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles to promote Switzerland and its interests. California is one of the leading regions in the US for innovation, cutting-edge technology and entrepreneurship. The House of Switzerland will shine a spotlight on Switzerland's strengths in the creative industries, the tech sector, sport and health.

Ignazio Cassis on official visits to Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait

21.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, will be in Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait on official visits from 22 to 25 October 2025. Mr Cassis will be accompanied by the National Council president, Maja Riniker. The visit to the Middle East will serve to deepen bilateral relations, explore possible new avenues for cooperation and discuss current regional developments.

Switzerland and EU sign Amending Protocol to the Agreement on automatic exchange of information in tax matters

20.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 20 October 2025 in Brussels, Switzerland and the European Union (EU) signed the Amending Protocol to the Agreement on the automatic exchange of financial account information to improve international tax compliance. With the Amending Protocol, the Agreement will be aligned to the amended OECD standard and supplemented with new provisions on administrative assistance for the collection of VAT claims.

SDG Flag Day in Lugano: first dialogue between some of Switzerland's largest cities

20.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
An event in connection with SDG Flag Day 2025 was held in Lugano on Friday 17 October at the Asilo Ciani with representatives of Bern and Zurich attending alongside the mayors of Biel/Bienne and Lugano. The two Federal Council delegates for the 2030 Agenda, Markus Reubi (FDFA) and Daniel Dubas (DETEC), as well as the director of the Swiss Union of Cities, Monika Litscher, also participated.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets Uzbek foreign minister Bakhtiyor Saidov

16.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 16 October 2025, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, received the Uzbek foreign minister, Bakhtiyor Saidov, in Bern for an official visit. The talks centred on bilateral relations, regional cooperation in Central Asia, the war in Ukraine and Switzerland's chairpersonship of the OSCE next year.

Swiss–EU package: Federal Council proposals for greater involvement of cantons and Parliament

15.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 15 October 2025, the Federal Council discussed measures to strengthen the involvement of the cantons and Parliament in Switzerland's foreign policy on the Swiss–EU package. Next steps for concluding an arrangement with the cantons and expanding information mechanisms for the parliamentary committees were also set out. These proposals will be included in the Federal Council dispatch expected to be submitted to Parliament in March 2026.

New Swiss ambassadors

15.10.2025 — Press releases EDA
As part of the FDFA's periodic transfer rotation and on the basis of appointments made by the Federal Council, personnel changes and the conferment of ambassadorial titles will take place in 2025 and 2026 at several Swiss representations and at the head office of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

Media (3543)

FDFA condemns the extension of the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi

11.08.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) condemns the sentence handed down today against Aung San Suu Kyi of an additional 18 months’ house arrest.

US civil proceedings against UBS: Stay extended once again

07.08.2009 — Press releases EDA
The out-of-court settlement being sought in the US civil proceedings against UBS has not yet been achieved. The stay in proceedings will therefore be extended for a further week until Monday, 17 August. The court in Miami approved a motion by both parties to that effect on Friday.

Opening of an Embassy in Nepal: under the Banner of 50 Years of Cooperation

06.08.2009 — Press releases EDA
On 17 August 2009, Switzerland will celebrate 50 years of development cooperation with Nepal. The occasion will also be marked by the opening of a new Swiss Embassy in Kathmandu. Today, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs presented the highlights of its activities in Nepal.

Working visit of Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey in the USA

31.07.2009 — Press releases EDA
In the framework of her official working visit to the USA, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, met the American Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, for talks in Washington today.

Switzerland’s third country report submitted to the UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

28.07.2009 — Press releases EDA
On 27 July 2009, Switzerland presented to the responsible UN committee in New York its latest report on the measures it has taken to implement the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women of 1979 (CEDAW). The Swiss delegation comprised representatives of the federal administration and a representative of the cantons.

Switzerland calls for an end to Israeli settlements

23.07.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is deeply concerned about the destruction of Palestinian houses in East Jerusalem near the old town and by the planned evictions. It calls on the Israeli government to end these operations immediately and to put a stop to all forms of settlement of the occupied Palestinian territory. It has passed on this request directly to the Israeli authorities.

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.

Other news (151)

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

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.

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.

First Global Refugee Forum in Geneva brings together actors committed to finding shared solutions

17.12.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has opened the Global Refugee Forum together with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. The purpose of the forum, which takes place on 17 and 18 December at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, is to find shared solutions to meet the needs of refugees and their host communities.

Federal Council extends freeze on assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine

13.12.2019 — EDA
On 13 December 2019, the Federal Council decided to extend for one year the preventive freeze on the assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine. The purpose of this decision is to support the judicial cooperation between Switzerland and these two states.

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