Swiss president visits the Vatican to meet the Pope and attend swearing-in of Swiss Guard

02.05.2022 — Press release EDA
President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis will travel to the Vatican on 6 May 2022, where he will take part in the swearing-in of the new Swiss Guard and meet Pope Francis and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the secretary for relations with states. The Swiss president's visit will also be an opportunity to present the new Swiss embassy to the Holy See.

Zurich – Lugano – Milano: trip of Switzerland's President Ignazio Cassis champions sustainable innovation

29.04.2022 — Press release EDA
Today, President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis, accompanied by authorities from Zurich and Ticino, launched Innovation Day, which spotlighted the network of innovation within Switzerland and beyond its borders as part of a train trip. Pursuing the axis of Zurich, Ticino and Milan, he visited Innovation Park in Dübendorf and Tecnopolo Ticino in Manno. At the end of the trip, the president was received at House of Switzerland Milano for its inauguration. There, he had an exchange with Italy's foreign minister, Luigi di Maio, and minister for technological innovation, Vittorio Colao.

Switzerland and the UK deepen partnership

28.04.2022 — Press release EDA
On Thursday, 28 April, President Ignazio Cassis met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss in London. President Cassis was also invited to pay a courtesy visit to Queen Elizabeth II. Switzerland and the United Kingdom signed a joint declaration on the further development of their bilateral partnership and agreed to deepen cooperation in the field of science. They confirmed the launch of exploratory talks to modernise the existing trade agreement. Key topics of discussion included Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and its consequences, as well as Switzerland's and the UK's relations with the European Union.

Switzerland to represent Liechtenstein consular interests at four new locations

26.04.2022 — Press release EDA
From 1 May 2022, Switzerland will also represent the consular interests of the Principality of Liechtenstein at selected locations where Liechtenstein itself operates a representation. This is another sign of the close relations that exist between the two countries. On 18 March 2022, the Federal Council gave its approval for the conclusion of an agreement with Liechtenstein.

Presidential visit to UK to focus on Swiss-British partnership and European security

25.04.2022 — Press release EDA
President Ignazio Cassis will travel to London this week where he will meet with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Minister Elizabeth Truss on Thursday, 28 April. The two sides will discuss ways of deepening bilateral relations. Other topics on the agenda include Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and its consequences, as well as the policies of Switzerland and the UK with regard to Europe.

Federal Council wants Switzerland to join six European research infrastructures

13.04.2022 — Press release Europa
On 13 April, the Federal Council submitted the Dispatch on Switzerland's access to six European research infrastructure networks to Parliament. Access to these networks will enable Swiss researchers to participate actively and on an equal footing.

Ukraine: Adoption of further EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus

13.04.2022 — Press release Europa
On 13 April, the Federal Council took the decision to adopt the new EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus. Amendments to the corresponding ordinances are being prepared. Furthermore, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) has imposed financial sanctions and travel restrictions on a further 200 individuals.

Ignazio Cassis meets President Egils Levits of Latvia in Lugano

11.04.2022 — Press release EDA
During their meeting in Lugano, President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis and his Latvian counterpart Egils Levits discussed bilateral relations between Switzerland and Latvia, the war in Ukraine and European policy. Afterwards, the two presidents visited the Museo Rainis e Aspazija, which commemorates the time spent in exile by the Latvian intellectuals in Switzerland at the start of the 20th century.

German-speaking foreign ministers address joint appeal to Russia

08.04.2022 — Press release EDA
At the invitation of Liechtenstein's Minister of Foreign Affairs, the annual meeting of foreign ministers from the five German-speaking countries took place today in the Principality of Liechtenstein. Their discussions focused on the current situation in Ukraine and its geopolitical consequences, and the humanitarian crisis created by the Russian attack on Ukraine. The five German-speaking foreign ministers jointly appeal to Russia to immediately end all use of force in Ukraine and to withdraw its troops unconditionally.

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to meet Bulgarian president and EU research commissioner in Sofia

07.04.2022 — Press release Europa
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), will inaugurate the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) in Sofia on 11 April. During this visit, he will also hold talks on research, innovation and education in the context of Swiss-Bulgarian and Swiss-European cooperation.

75% of Swiss citizens living abroad have more than one nationality

07.04.2022 — Press release EDA
At the end of 2021, more than one in ten Swiss citizens lived abroad. This was a 1.5% increase compared with 2020. Most of these citizens lived in Europe. Regardless of the continent in which they lived, the majority were aged between 18 and 64. Reflecting Switzerland's multicultural nature, many of them also had more than one nationality, according to the results of the statistics on the Swiss abroad from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

President Ignazio Cassis receives Croatian President Zoran Milanović

07.04.2022 — Press release EDA
President Ignazio Cassis met with Croatian President Zoran Milanović in Geneva on Thursday, 7 April. In addition to bilateral relations, the talks focused on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the situation in the Western Balkans and Switzerland’s European policy. The visit included a meeting with students from the University of Geneva.

Federal Council appoints Livia Leu as new State Secretary and approves adjustments to the structure of the FDFA

14.10.2020 — Press release Europa
Livia Leu, who is currently Switzerland's ambassador in Paris, will assume the leadership of the Directorate for European Affairs (DEA) with immediate effect and will take up the post of chief negotiator for negotiations with the EU. She will receive the title of State Secretary. The Federal Council took this decision at its meeting on 14 October 2020. It also agreed to adjustments to the structure of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). From 1 January, the European Affairs and Political Affairs directorates will be merged under a single State Secretariat headed by Livia Leu as the FDFA State Secretary.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to make official visits to Oslo and Copenhagen

13.10.2020 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will visit Norway on 15 October and Denmark on 15 and 16 October. In Oslo, Mr Cassis will meet with Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide. In Copenhagen, he will meet with the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation, Rasmus Prehn, and Minister for Finance Nicolai Wammen for bilateral talks.

Ignazio Cassis receives Czech Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček in Bern: bilateral and European relations on the agenda

05.10.2020 — Press release EDA
On 6 October Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Tomáš Petříček at the Lohn Manor. The meeting focused on the strength of Swiss-Czech bilateral relations and included discussions on possible areas for further collaboration. Mr Cassis and Mr Petříček also addressed a number of European and international issues. Switzerland and the Czech Republic maintain excellent economic relations and enjoy close cultural and social ties.

Ignazio Cassis on official visit to San Marino, where tradition meets innovation

01.10.2020 — Press release EDA
On 1 October Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis participated as official speaker at the investiture of the captains regent of San Marino, a traditional ceremony that has been handed down unaltered since 1243. In his speech, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) restated the importance of multilateralism and international Geneva as a platform for discussion on digitalisation. The two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding committing them to work together more closely in the multilateral arena.

Switzerland completes emergency aid operation on Lesbos

30.09.2020 — Press release EDA
Switzerland responded immediately with emergency aid following a fire which devastated the refugee transit camp on the Greek island of Lesbos. Over several weeks, Swiss Humanitarian Aid focused on access to safe drinking water, medical support in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and disaster risk reduction. It also dispatched five tonnes of relief supplies to the facility. Switzerland is ending its emergency aid activities on Wednesday 30 September, having restored access to clean drinking water for 10,000 people. It will continue its support in the form of medium and long-term assistance.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on official visit to San Marino

29.09.2020 — Press release EDA
On 1 October, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will take part in the investiture of the two captains regent, the joint heads of state of the Republic of San Marino. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs was invited as official speaker at the ceremony. The official visit will also provide an opportunity to discuss bilateral and international issues.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis holds official working meeting with Foreign Minister Katrin Eggenberger in Vaduz

25.09.2020 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, met on 25 September 2020 with Liechtenstein's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justice and Culture Katrin Eggenberger during an official visit to the Principality of Liechtenstein. The two foreign ministers discussed cross-border and bilateral relations as well as European and international issues. That evening, Mr Ignazio Cassis will give a speech on Swiss foreign policy to a group of business leaders. Mr Ignazio Cassis also met with H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein.

Coronavirus: No quarantine for persons entering from border regions

11.09.2020 — Press release EDA
At its meeting on 11 September, the Federal Council decided on the quarantine rules for persons entering Switzerland from neighbouring countries: only those regions of neighbouring countries where the infection rate is over the limit will be added to the list of countries and areas with an increased rate of infection, not the entire country. Border regions may be exempted from inclusion on the list. In so doing, the Federal Council is responding to the rapid rise in infection numbers, while still taking account of the close interaction between Switzerland and neighbouring regions. The revised ordinance will come into force on 14 September. At the same time, the list of risk areas will be updated.

State Secretary Hirayama at the informal EU ministerial meeting on research and innovation

21.07.2020 — Press release Europa
State Secretary Martina Hirayama participated by videoconference in the informal meeting of the ministers for research and innovation of the EU member states on 21 July 2020. The biannual event focused on the dialogue about joint research and innovation activities to foster a sustainable and sovereign Europe, in particular in the context of global crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic. Switzerland’s participation highlighted its commitment to the European Research Area and emphasised that it attaches great importance to generating and sharing knowledge at the international level.

Personenfreizügigkeit im Jahr 2019: Arbeitsmarkt weiterhin ausgeglichen

29.06.2020 — Press release Europa
Die Zuwanderung aus dem EU/EFTA-Raum in die Schweiz belief sich 2019 auf 30 700 Personen und ging damit im Vergleich zu 2018 leicht zurück, wie das SECO in seinem 16. Bericht des Observatoriums zum Freizügigkeitsabkommen Schweiz–EU festhält. Diese Entwicklung geht mit einem hohen Beschäftigungsgrad und einer rückläufigen Arbeitslosigkeit einher. Das inländische Arbeitskräftepotenzial wird zunehmend besser ausgeschöpft. Die Zuwanderung trägt zur Arbeitsmarktflexibilität bei und Personen, die im Familiennachzug eingewandert sind, integrieren sich gut in den Arbeitsmarkt.

Resumption of mobility and bilateral and cross-border cooperation at heart of Federal Councillor Cassis’ Geneva visit

26.06.2020 — Press release EDA
Today in Geneva, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Minister of State, attached to the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. During this final stage of Mr Cassis' 'border tour', after visits to Ticino and Kreuzlingen, the main talking points were the effectiveness of cross-border cooperation during the coronavirus crisis and the resumption of mobility across the Franco-Swiss border. European policy issues were also discussed.

Kreuzlingen: Ignazio Cassis stresses importance of open borders

17.06.2020 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met today in Kreuzlingen, on the Swiss side of Lake Constance, with Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, Liechtenstein's Foreign Minister Katrin Eggenberger, Deputy Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg Thomas Strobl and representatives of the International Lake Constance Conference Günther Eberle, Director of the State Government Office of Vorarlberg, and Walter Schönholzer, President of the Cantonal Council of Thurgau. The talks focused on the reopening of borders within Europe, cooperation during the coronavirus crisis and other European policy issues.

EU and Swiss regulators sign confidentiality arrangement

22.07.2015 — Article Europa

Arrangements will improve oversight of medicines for better protection of public and animal health.

Contribution to the enlarged EU: signing of bilateral framework agreement with Croatia

30.06.2015 — Europa
On 30 June 2015 in Zagreb, Switzerland and Croatia signed the bilateral framework agreement which regulates the substance and implementation of the Swiss enlargement contribution to Croatia. Switzerland has allocated CHF 45 million to support projects in Croatia, in particular in the fields of water treatment, supply of drinking water, research and vocational education and training.

Popular vote Ecopop

30.11.2014 — Article Europa

In a popular vote held on 30 November 2014, 74.1% of the Swiss people and all the cantons have rejected the popular initiative «Stop overpopulation – safeguard our natural environment» (Ecopop initiative).

Switzerland takes further step towards introduction of automatic exchange of information

19.11.2014 — Europa
Today, the Federal Council approved a declaration on Switzerland joining the multilateral agreement on the automatic exchange of information in tax matters. This international agreement, which was developed within the framework of the OECD, forms a basis for the future introduction of the cross-border automatic exchange of information. The question regarding the countries with which Switzerland should introduce this exchange of data is not affected by the signing of the multilateral agreement; it will be presented to Parliament separately at a later stage.

French President François Hollande to pay a state visit to Switzerland in 2015

30.10.2014 — Europa
During President Didier Burkhalter’s working visit to Paris on Thursday, the French president, François Hollande, accepted the Federal Council’s invitation to pay a state visit to Switzerland. The visit will take place next year. During their discussions, the two presidents addressed the status of Basel-Mulhouse airport. Mr Burkhalter and Mr Hollande stressed the importance of the airport’s binational character for the region as a whole.

Federal Council approves the Horizon 2020 package

22.10.2014 — Europa
In its meeting today, the Federal Council approved the agreement on Switzerland’s participation in the Horizon 2020 research programme. The agreement covers Switzerland’s partial association to the programme between 15 September 2014 and 31 December 2016. It allows researchers from Switzerland to take full part in selected parts of Horizon 2020 and to apply for the sought-after grants provided by the European Research Council. The agreement provides for Switzerland’s full association to Horizon 2020 between 2017 and 2020, provided a solution can be found to the issue of the free movement of persons.

Automatic exchange of information in tax matters: Federal Council adopts negotiation mandates with partner states

08.10.2014 — Europa
During its meeting today, the Federal Council adopted definitive negotiation mandates for introducing the new global standard for the automatic exchange of information in tax matters with partner states. The competent parliamentary committees and the cantons were consulted on the mandates in recent months. Negotiations with partner states should commence shortly.

German Chancellor Merkel assures President of the Swiss Confederation Burkhalter that Germany will play a constructive part in the dialogue on EU policy

18.02.2014 — Europa
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr Didier Burkhalter, informed German Chancellor Angela Merkel today about the outcome of the popular vote on the mass immigration initiative and the next steps to be taken by the Federal Council to implement the new constitutional provision on immigration. Ms Merkel assured Mr Burkhalter that Germany would play a constructive part in the aspects of the discussions that touch on EU policy. The meeting with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier centred on the situation in Ukraine and the possible role of the OSCE, which is chaired by Switzerland in 2014, in defusing the crisis. Mr Burkhalter will travel from Berlin to Paris, where he will meet with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius this evening.

Fourth Round of Swiss-EU Negotiations on Linking of Emissions Trading Systems

09.07.2013 — Europa
The fourth round of negotiations between Switzerland and the European Union on the linking of their respective CO2 emissions trading systems was held in Zurich on 8 July 2013. Further progress was made at the negotiations. The aim of completing the technical negotiations by the end of the year was corroborated.