News

Switzerland and Austria confirm close relationship of trust between the two neighbour states

17.01.2014 — Press releases EDA
As part of an official working visit, the president of the Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, met with the Austrian federal president, Heinz Fischer, today in Vienna. The meeting focused on bilateral themes as well as policy on Europe and the priorities of the Swiss Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

OSCE Permanent Council: President of the Confederation Didier Burkhalter emphasises the role of dialogue in working for peace and security

16.01.2014 — Press releases EDA
In his first official appearance as Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Swiss President Didier Burkhalter discussed the priorities of Switzerland's OSCE Chairmanship with representatives of the 57 OSCE participating States in Vienna.

President of the Confederation Didier Burkhalter travels to Vienna to launch the OSCE Chairmanship and meet with Austria

13.01.2014 — Press releases EDA
Swiss President Didier Burkhalter's first trip abroad in 2014 takes him to Austria. In his capacity as Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE, on 16 January 2014 Mr Burkhalter will address the Permanent Council, one of the organisation's decision-making bodies, in Vienna. On 17 January, Mr Burkhalter will meet Austrian President Heinz Fischer, Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister Michael Spindelegger and Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz in Vienna. On 21 January, Austrian Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann will be received in Bern during his first trip abroad as head of the new Austrian government.

Official talks with Slovakian foreign minister Miroslav Lajčák

09.01.2014 — Press releases EDA
After taking part in the cantonal governments' annual seminar in Interlaken, President of the Confederation and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter met the Slovakian foreign minister, Miroslav Lajčák, for an official working lunch. The discussions centred on bilateral relations, relations with the EU, the Swiss OSCE chairmanship and international issues.

Swiss and Serbian foreign ministers prepare to lead OSCE

02.07.2013 — Press releases EDA

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Swiss and Serbian foreign ministers prepare to lead OSCE

02.07.2013 — Press releases EDA

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Personal Envoy Guldimann says situation in Crimea calm but very tense

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OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minsk Group Co-Chairs deeply concerned about developments at Line of Contact, call for immediate action to defuse tensions

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Upcoming Transdniestrian talks would send a positive signal about potential for decreasing tensions, says OSCE Special Representative Bogojević

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OSCE Chair in Office and Secretary General at NATO to present the Organization’s contribution to co-operative security response regarding Ukraine

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Personal Envoy Guldimann says situation in Crimea calm but very tense

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OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minsk Group Co-Chairs deeply concerned about developments at Line of Contact, call for immediate action to defuse tensions

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All participants of Panel on European Security as a Common Project confirmed

12.01.2015 — Press releases EDA

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OSCE proven its capacity to act in crisis year 2014 – continued efforts to reconsolidate European security needed, says outgoing Swiss chair

30.12.2014 — Press releases EDA

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Minsk talks must resume to rapidly advance peace efforts, Swiss Chair says

26.12.2014 — Press releases EDA

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Private military and security companies: Montreux Document participants Forum to continue working on implementation

16.12.2014 — Press releases EDA
The Montreux Document reaffirms the existing obligations of states under international law relating to private military and security companies (PMSCs) operating in armed conflict, and lists good practices designed to help states take national measures to implement these obligations. Six years after its adoption, Montreux Document participants have now established the “Montreux Document Forum” to continue working on the implementation of the Montreux Document and to share good practices and discuss challenges regarding the regulation of PMSCs. The Montreux Document is now supported by 51 states and three international organisations: the EU, the OSCE and NATO.

OSCE Chairperson’s Personal Representatives on tolerance make first joint country visit to Turkey

10.12.2014 — Press releases EDA

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Young FDFA employees receive prizes for their project proposals

08.12.2014 — Press releases EDA
At the annual Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) end of year event on Monday evening, Swiss President Didier Burkhalter announced the winners of the "Youth and Ideas" competition he launched during the Ambassadors and International Network Conference in Milan in August. Open to the youngest FDFA employees, the idea of the competition was to launch projects to put forward the values Switzerland's foreign policy must promote according to the Federal Constitution. These are peace, human rights, democracy, sustainable development and the alleviation of poverty. The jury said all of the 41 projects entered were of the highest quality. A prize was awarded to the best three.

Le président de la Confédération s’exprimera devant les membres du CIO réunis en Session extraordinaire à Monaco (fr)

07.12.2014 — Press releases EDA
L’an prochain marquera les 100 ans de l’installation du Comité international olympique en Suisse (CIO). A la veille de cet anniversaire, le président de la Confédération Didier Burkhalter a été invité par le président Thomas Bach à s’exprimer en tant que représentant de l’Etat hôte à l’occasion de la Session extraordinaire que le CIO tiendra les 8 et 9 décembre à Monaco.

Commemorative Publication marks 20 years of key OSCE Document on Promoting Democratic Control of Armed and Security Forces

05.12.2014 — Press releases EDA

The Commemorative Publication 20 Years of OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security was presented by Didier Burkhalter, Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE 2014 and President of the Swiss Confederation and solemnly handed over to Lamberto Zannier, OSCE Secretary General representing the OSCE Community. The Commemorative Publication was produced by International Relations Defence in the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports (DDPS), and features contributions from academics and representatives of selected OSCE participating States, presenting the milestones achieved in the first 20 years of the Code’s existence as well as perspectives and ideas for its further development within and beyond the OSCE.

2014 OSCE Ministerial Council in Basel: clear endorsement of OSCE as platform for dialogue with capacity to act

05.12.2014 — Press releases EDA
The representatives of the 57 participating States of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe adopted various declarations at the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting, including on counterterrorism and natural disaster prevention. At the close of this year's Ministerial Council meeting, Didier Burkhalter, Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, welcomed an improved level of continuity in the work of the organisation. Today’s Ministerial Council decision to transfer the 2016 and 2017 Chairmanships to Germany and Austria ensures the organisation’s leadership for the coming years.

Ukraine in focus as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Burkhalter opens 21st Ministerial Council in Basel

04.12.2014 — Press releases EDA

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Switzerland steps up support for OSCE monitoring mission and further de-escalation measures in Ukraine

04.12.2014 — Press releases EDA
In his opening speech to the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, President Didier Burkhalter, called for efforts to improve implementation of the de-escalation measures in Ukraine and to step up support for the OSCE special monitoring mission and the Trilateral Contact Group. Switzerland has earmarked an additional CHF 2 million to support efforts to find a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine.

"Summary by the Chairperson-in-Office of the discussions of Day 1 at the OSCE Ministerial Council"

04.12.2014 — Press releases EDA
Summary by the Chairperson-in-Office of the discussions of Day 1 at the OSCE Ministerial Council, Basel, 4 december 2014.

"Promoting tolerance and combating anti-Semitism - our collective endeavour because it is our common history and our common future"

13.11.2014 — Article EDA

Bern, 13.11.2014 - Berlin, 13.11.2014 - Opening address by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr. Didier Burkhalter, at the Conference on Anti-Semitism of the OSCE - Check against deliviery