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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)

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

Injured children to be evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to pay state visit to Switzerland

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

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

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

Ignazio Cassis on official visits to Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait

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

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

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets Uzbek foreign minister Bakhtiyor Saidov

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

New Swiss ambassadors

Other news (151)

Federal Council expands cooperation with the UN on military peace support training

20.11.2019 — EDA
At its meeting on 20 November 2019, the Federal Council approved an agreement between Switzerland and the UN on training cooperation in the context of international peace support. The agreement will provide a legal framework for closer longer-term cooperation between Switzerland and the UN in the training sector.

30 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets two school classes on the occasion

20.11.2019 — EDA
The right to education, protection, play and leisure – children have certain rights that, alongside their general welfare, states are obliged to guarantee. These obligations are enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was adopted 30 years ago today. To mark the occasion, Mr Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, opened the doors of the Federal Palace in Bern to two school classes from the canton of Ticino.

US statements on Israeli settlements: Switzerland’s statement

19.11.2019 — EDA
Following yesterday's American statements on Israeli settlements, Switzerland confirms its position.

The Federal Council concludes an agreement on privileges and immunities with the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers’ Association

18.11.2019 — EDA
On 18 November 2019 Switzerland and the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers’ Association (ICoCA) signed an agreement on the privileges and immunities accorded to the association in Switzerland. ICoCA plays a major role in ensuring compliance with the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers and in promoting the responsible provision of security services.

Zukunftstag 2019: Was die jungen Gäste im EDA beeindruckte (de/fr/it)

14.11.2019 — EDA
Rund 90 Kinder und Jugendliche haben am Zukunftstag 2019 ihren Eltern oder Bekannten bei der Arbeit im Eidgenössischen Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA über die Schulter und hinter die Kulissen des Departements geschaut. Generalsekretär Markus Seiler zeigte den jungen Gästen das Bundesratszimmer sowie das Büro von Bundesrat Ignazio Cassis, der sich an diesem Tag in Paris befand. An verschiedenen Workshops konnten die Kinder und Jugendlichen verschiedene Aspekte aus der Arbeit des EDA vertieft kennenlernen und eine Medienmitteilung schreiben.

UNESCO General Conference (fr)

14.11.2019 — EDA
Paris, 14.11.2019 – Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis – Check against delivery

UNESCO General Conference: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis advocates Executive Board seat for Switzerland

14.11.2019 — EDA
Speaking at the UNESCO General Conference in Paris, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis called for minorities to be respected, pointing out that this is essential to democratic processes. He also said that Switzerland supports the reform proposals intended to enhance the organisation’s effectiveness and explained the strengths Switzerland can bring to the UNESCO Executive Board. Switzerland is campaigning to gain a seat on the Executive Board in the election on 20 November 2019.

Linking of the Swiss and EU emissions trading systems: Federal Council approves revision of the CO2 Ordinance

13.11.2019 — EDA
At its meeting on 13 November 2019, the Federal Council approved the revised Ordinance on the Reduction of CO2 Emissions. This, together with the amendment to the CO2 Act adopted in March 2019 and the agreement with the EU, will enter into force on 1 January 2020. From 2020, emissions from civil aviation and fossil fuel power stations will also be included in the Swiss ETS, as is already the case in the EU. Linking the two schemes allows companies in the Swiss ETS to trade emission allowances in the larger EU emissions market.

Education, environment and protection of minorities – Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travels to UNESCO General Conference in Paris

12.11.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will represent Switzerland at the UNESCO General Conference on 14 November 2019. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) will call for respect for minorities, which is a key element of the democratic process. New members of the UNESCO Executive Board will also be elected during the three-week session. Switzerland – one of the candidates – is one of the biggest contributors to UNESCO measured by population.

Escalation of violence between Israel and Gaza – statement by the FDFA

12.11.2019 — EDA
The FDFA is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East and calls on all parties to restore calm immediately.

FDFA calls for end to violence and new elections in Bolivia

11.11.2019 — EDA
The FDFA is closely following recent political developments in Bolivia with concern and calls for new elections to reflect the political will of the people. The FDFA stands ready to support Bolivia in preparing for such elections.

International Law Day 2019: FDFA Directorate of International Law launches discussion on 'soft law'

08.11.2019 — EDA
The FDFA Directorate of International Law (DIL) held its annual International Law Day on 8 November. This year’s event focused on soft law. The event provided an opportunity to discuss this topical issue in the presence of Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and a broad audience, and in particular to consider how to better involve Parliament in soft law matters.

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