Swiss–EU relations: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets with representatives of civil society in Bern

05.11.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis hosted a dinner in Bern this evening for representatives from business, academia and organisations with an interest in Europe. The aim of this gathering was to hold an open discussion on Swiss–EU relations.

Provisional application of the new social security convention with the United Kingdom as of 1.11.2021

01.11.2021 — Press release Europa
The new social security convention with the United Kingdom will be applicable provisionally from 1 November 2021. It coordinates the social security systems of the two contracting states as the CH-EU Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons is no longer applicable as a result of Brexit.

Migration cooperation at centre of Federal Councillor Keller-Sutter’s working visit to Greece

22.10.2021 — Press release Europa
During a working visit to Greece, Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter met Minister of Migration and Asylum Notis Mitarachi and Deputy Minister for Citizen Protection Eleftherios Oikonomou on 22 October. The head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) also visited a shelter for unaccompanied minor girls in Athens and the Mavrovouni camp on the Greek island of Lesbos.

Horizon Package 2021-2027: Federal Council enables direct financing and examines further measures

20.10.2021 — Press release Europa
Switzerland is currently a non-associated third country in terms of the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation “Horizon Europe” and related programmes and initiatives. Under this status, researchers and innovators in Switzerland can participate in roughly two thirds of the programme. However, they do not receive funding from the European Commission. On 20 October, the Federal Council instructed the EAER to provide direct funding to the players concerned and approved the necessary credit reallocations. In addition, it has instructed the EAER, in cooperation with the FDF, to examine possible complementary and replacement measures to strengthen Switzerland's standing as a location for research and innovation.

Horizon Europe: Federal Council submits transitional measures to Parliament for non-accessible programme components

17.09.2021 — Press release Europa
Switzerland will be treated as a non-associated third country in Horizon Europe, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, and related programmes and initiatives until further notice. Under this status, researchers in Switzerland can still participate in most collaboration projects, but are excluded from individual projects. On 17 September, the Federal Council therefore decided to initiate transitional measures until Switzerland achieves its stated aim of full association.

FDFA State Secretary Livia Leu in Brussels for working meetings

17.09.2021 — Press release EDA
On 17 September 2021, FDFA State Secretary Livia Leu met various members of the European Commission and the European External Action Service in Brussels for talks focusing on relations between Switzerland and the EU.

Science diplomacy: Switzerland supports dialogue to create research centre in south-eastern Europe

13.09.2021 — Press release EDA
On Monday 13 September, Switzerland hosted a high-level conference in Bern as part of the South East European International Institute for Sustainable Technologies (SEEIIST) project. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attended the conference alongside seven ministers and representatives from ten countries of south-eastern Europe. The SEEIIST project seeks to develop a regional centre of excellence in south-eastern Europe for biomedical research into cancer therapy. At the event, the head of the FDFA restated Switzerland's readiness to facilitate dialogue between the various partner countries for the creation of such a facility.

Resumption of high-level personal contacts with Romania

09.09.2021 — Press release EDA
On Thursday, 9 September, the Romanian president Klaus Iohannis met with President Guy Parmelin during an official visit to Switzerland. The discussions at Lohn Manor were also attended by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), and Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu. The talks focused on economic and scientific cooperation, the European policies of both countries and international security issues.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis guest speaker at Hungarian Ambassadors' Conference

24.08.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will be a guest speaker at the Hungarian Ambassadors' Conference in Budapest on 27 August. In his address, he will outline the guidelines and thematic focus areas of Switzerland's foreign policy strategy. Mr Cassis will also meet in Budapest with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó and Minister of Justice Judit Varga, whose portfolio includes EU affairs.

Federal Council adopts dispatch on new frontier workers agreement with Italy

11.08.2021 — Press release Europa
During its meeting on 11 August 2021, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the new frontier workers agreement between Switzerland and Italy. The agreement significantly improves the current regulation on the taxation of frontier workers and contributes to maintaining the good bilateral relations between the two countries.

European policy: Federal Council submits dispatch on approving second Swiss contribution

11.08.2021 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council's European policy agenda includes approving the second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states with a view to continuing the bilateral approach. At its meeting on 11 August, the Federal Council adopted a dispatch to this effect to be brought before Parliament as soon as possible.

Wildfires in Greece – Switzerland sends support helicopters and firefighting crews

06.08.2021 — Press release EDA
Wildfires are currently raging across several regions of Greece. Responding to a call for assistance by the Greek authorities, Switzerland is dispatching three helicopters and firefighting crews to help contain the fires.

Switzerland takes over EUREKA chairmanship from Norway

20.06.2014 — Press release Europa
The Delegate of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER, Bruno H. Moor, assumed Switzerland's year-long chairmanship of EUREKA, the European research initiative, at an event in Bergen (Norway) today. He set out the four priorities of the Swiss chairmanship. The focus is on strengthening institutional networking and on tailoring instruments to the needs of businesses involved in research and innovation.

Business taxation dialogue with EU nearing completion

20.06.2014 — Press release EDA
During its meeting today, the Federal Council gave the go-ahead for the initialling of a mutual understanding between Switzerland and the EU on business taxation. On the EU side, the Economic and Financial Affairs Council approved this understanding today. The business taxation dialogue between Switzerland and the EU is thus nearing completion.

Federal Council submits to Parliament dispatch on enlargement contribution to Croatia

28.05.2014 — Press release Europa
The Federal Council has submitted to Parliament its dispatch on the approval of a framework credit for an enlargement contribution of CHF 45 million to Croatia. Switzerland's commitment in Croatia is in keeping with the policy it has pursued in recent years with regard to the countries of Eastern Europe to support them in their modernisation efforts. This policy is in Switzerland's economic interests, and not only strengthens relations with these countries, but also helps to create jobs. The Federal Council had announced the framework credit on 30 April 2014, when a corresponding addendum to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the EU was adopted. Parliament has yet to approve the contribution. The money should then be committed to specific projects in Croatia by the end of May 2017.

Federal Council submits to Parliament dispatch on enlargement contribution to Croatia

28.05.2014 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council has submitted to Parliament its dispatch on the approval of a framework credit for an enlargement contribution of CHF 45 million to Croatia. Switzerland's commitment in Croatia is in keeping with the policy it has pursued in recent years with regard to the countries of Eastern Europe to support them in their modernisation efforts. This policy is in Switzerland's economic interests, and not only strengthens relations with these countries, but also helps to create jobs. The Federal Council had announced the framework credit on 30 April 2014, when a corresponding addendum to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the EU was adopted. Parliament has yet to approve the contribution. The money should then be committed to specific projects in Croatia by the end of May 2017.

Swiss-EU relations: negotiations begin on institutional issues

22.05.2014 — Press release EDA
Today in Bern the negotiations on an institutional agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) have begun. With the planned agreement the Federal Council wishes to reconfirm and strengthen the bilateral approach, and so continue to guarantee Switzerland's prosperity and independence.

Flankierende Massnahmen: ein verstärktes und wirksames Instrumentarium

05.05.2014 — Press release Europa
Die Kontrolltätigkeit der Vollzugsorgane hat 2013 erneut zugenommen. Insgesamt haben die tripartiten und paritätischen Kommissionen die Lohn- und Arbeitsbedingungen bei über 40'000 Betrieben und 158'000 Personen kontrolliert. Dank verschiedener Verbesserungen auf Gesetzesebene und der Professionalisierung der Kontrollorgane können Lohnunterbietungen nun noch gezielter und effizienter bekämpft werden. Gleichzeitig mit dem Bericht über die Umsetzung der flankierenden Massnahmen hat das SECO am 5. Mai 2014 eine Standortbestimmung betreffend Gesamtarbeitsverträge veröffentlicht.

Concerted efforts for democracy and peace: President of the Swiss Confederation represents Switzerland at Council of Europe Ministerial Session

05.05.2014 — Press release EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation and head of the FDFA, Didier Burkhalter, will be in Vienna on 6 May to attend the 124th Ministerial Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Greek president Karolos Papoulias in Bern on official visit

02.05.2014 — Press release EDA
On Switzerland's invitation, the president of the Hellenic Republic visited the country on 2 May for the first time since diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Greece began 119 years ago. President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr Didier Burkhalter, and President Karolos Papoulias primarily discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and topics concerning European policy. Greece has held the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union since the beginning of the year which will last until the end of June. Against this backdrop, Mr Burkhalter talked about the Federal Council's intended next steps regarding relations between Switzerland and the EU. The vice-president of the Federal Council, Simonetta Sommaruga (FDJP), the Greek deputy foreign minister, Dimitris Kourkoulas, and the Greek minister of tourism, Olga Kefalogianni, also took part in the meeting.

Federal Council notes recommendations of Commission of Experts on market access for financial service providers

01.05.2014 — Press release Europa
At its meeting yesterday, the Federal Council debated the interim results from the group of experts for the further development of the financial market strategy on questions concerning international market access. The experts recommended various measures to secure market access for Swiss financial service providers abroad.

Federal Council seeks to strengthen competitiveness with corporate tax reform

30.04.2014 — Press release Europa

The information was corrected or amended after publication. (01.05.2014)

Bern, 30.04.2014 - The Federal Council has acknowledged the results of the cantonal consultation on the reform of corporate taxation. The reform is designed to develop the Swiss tax system further and strengthen competitiveness while taking international developments into account. Switzerland should remain attractive as a tax location and companies should continue to make an important contribution to financing the tasks of the federal government, the cantons and the communes. This requires legal certainty, which only an internationally accepted tax system can deliver. The cantons support the thrust proposed by the project organisation. The Federal Department of Finance will draw up a corresponding consultation draft.

The Federal Council takes steps to re-launch discussions with the EU on Switzerland’s participation in EU programmes and market access

30.04.2014 — Press release Europa
The Federal Council wishes to re-launch negotiations and discussions on Switzerland’s participation in framework programmes and market access. To that end it approved a declaration envisaging a number of measures. These include a solution to the admission under quotas of Croatian citizens to the Swiss labour market. In addition, the Federal Council confirmed the enlargement contribution for Croatia.

The Federal Council takes steps to re-launch discussions with the EU on Switzerland’s participation in EU programmes and market access

30.04.2014 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council wishes to re-launch negotiations and discussions on Switzerland’s participation in framework programmes and market access. To that end it approved a declaration envisaging a number of measures. These include a solution to the admission under quotas of Croatian citizens to the Swiss labour market. In addition, the Federal Council confirmed the enlargement contribution for Croatia.

Emissions trading scheme: acquisition of aviation data in 2018

02.06.2017 — Europa
The integration of greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation sector into the emissions trading scheme (ETS) is a necessary step in order to link the Swiss and European schemes. At its session on 2 June 2017 the Federal Council approved the Ordinance governing the acquisition and reporting of data from the aviation sector. In line with the intention of the European Union, it is only domestic flights in Switzerland or flights from Switzerland to member states of the European Economic Area (EEA) that are concerned.

Official working visit to Brussels by Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann

30.03.2017 — Europa
On 30 March Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, the head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), met European Commission Vice President Andrus Ansip, who is responsible for the digital single market, and the Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmström. The main themes included cooperation in the field of digitalisation and bilateral trade relations, particularly updating the existing bilateral agreements.

Withholding tax agreement with United Kingdom to be terminated

14.11.2016 — Europa
The withholding tax agreement between Switzerland and the United Kingdom will be terminated on 1 January 2017. The agreement between Switzerland and the EU on the automatic exchange of information in tax matters will enter into force on that date. On 14 November 2016, Switzerland and the United Kingdom signed a corresponding agreement in London to ensure a smooth transition between the two models.

Withdrawal of Switzerland’s membership application to the EU - EU's reply

26.10.2016 — Article Europa

EU's reply letter of the 19.10.2016 (PDF, 1 Page, 110.9 kB)

Swiss Government's letter of the 27.7.2016 (in French) (PDF, 1 Page, 216.6 kB)

Federal Councillor Maurer at meeting of German-speaking finance ministers

23.08.2016 — Europa
Today, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer attended the informal working meeting of German-speaking finance ministers in Vaduz. He discussed current financial and fiscal policy issues with his counterparts Wolfgang Schäuble (Germany), Hans Jörg Schelling (Austria), Adrian Hasler (Liechtenstein) and Pierre Gramegna (Luxembourg).

Withdrawal of Switzerland’s membership application to the EU

27.07.2016 — Article Europa

Swiss Government's letter of the 27.7.2016 (in French) (PDF, 1 Page, 216.6 kB)

Federal Council adopts dispatch on automatic exchange of tax information with eight states and territories

06.07.2016 — Europa
Today, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the introduction of the automatic exchange of financial account information with Iceland, Norway, Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man, Japan, Canada and the Republic of Korea, and submitted it to Parliament for approval. The proposal met with widespread approval in the consultation.

Federal Council extends transitional periods for financial market infrastructures

29.06.2016 — Europa
During its meeting today, the Federal Council adjusted the Financial Market Infrastructure Ordinance. The transitional periods for financial market infrastructures were extended by a year in line with developments in the EU.

United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union

24.06.2016 — Article Europa

The electorate of the United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union in a referendum. The current regulations regarding Swiss citizens and companies will remain valid for the time being. A list of answers to frequently asked questions is available on the website of the DEA.

• FAQ Brexit
• Press Release FDFA: Brexit: FDFA Helpline offers advice for Swiss citizens

Everything ready for the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel

01.06.2016 — Europa
With the gathering this morning of the one thousand randomly selected representatives of the public for the first trips through the Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT), the opening festivities for the world's longest railway tunnel have begun. For the festival involving half a dozen heads of state and government, everything is ready. More than 2,000 individuals from the army, police, federal government, Swiss Federal Railways, AlpTransit Gotthard (ATG) and private companies are in action. In addition, 300 media professionals have been accredited from around 20 nations, including the USA, Canada, China, Japan, Kuwait and Chile as well as Switzerland's neighbouring countries.

Meeting of transport ministers in Lugano

31.05.2016 — Europa
Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard met the transport ministers of the Alpine countries today as part of the Zurich Process. The conference was held in Lugano this year to mark the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel. Transport ministers from the Alpine countries meet regularly to discuss issues of transport safety as well as the modal shift policy. The presidency passed from Slovenian infrastructure minister, Peter Gašperšič, to his Italian colleague Graziano Delrio.

Switzerland to support the reform of the civilian security sector in Mali and Ukraine

13.04.2016 — Europa
Today, Switzerland and the European Union (EU) have signed two agreements on Switzerland's participation in EUCAP Sahel Mali, the EU's civilian mission for the reform of the security sector in Mali, and in EUAM Ukraine, the EU advisory mission for civilian security sector reform in Ukraine. These two agreements form the basis for the secondment of Swiss civilian experts to these missions.