Ignazio Cassis discusses Cyprus question and Syrian crisis with Turkish counterpart

12.07.2019 — Press release EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, culminated his trip to the eastern Mediterranean with a visit to Turkey. During his meeting with Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in Ankara, he spoke, among other things, about the open Cyprus question, human rights, and developments in Syria and their consequences for the region and Europe.

Federal Councillor Keller-Sutter on a working visit to London: Switzerland strengthens cooperation with the UK

10.07.2019 — Press release DEA
The United Kingdom and Switzerland intend to work more closely on fighting terrorism and crime. On 10 July, the head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police FDJP, Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter, was in London to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to this effect with her British counterpart. She also signed an agreement on mutual access to the UK and Swiss labour markets in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visits Samos refugee camp and meets new Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs

10.07.2019 — EDA
Mr Cassis's visit to Greece has mainly been concerned with the situation of refugees and the challenges posed by migration. On Tuesday, the head of the FDFA visited the refugee camp on Samos and today met Nikos Dendias, who was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs this week, and President Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis proposes Switzerland's good offices to Cyprus

09.07.2019 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis's visit to Nicosia was marked by the Cyprus question, which has remained unresolved for decades. After a visit to the buffer zone between the north and the south of the island on Monday, Mr Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, met today with Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulides.

Close, dynamic relations between Switzerland and Croatia

08.07.2019 — Press release DEA
Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović paid an official visit to Switzerland on Monday, 8 July. Relations between the two countries are good and this is reflected in the fact that around 30,000 Croatian nationals live in Switzerland and that some 300,000 Swiss tourists visit Croatia every year. Croatia is also Switzerland’s second most important trade partner in southeast Europe; last year, the volume of bilateral trade reached an all-time high. The visit by President Grabar-Kitarović took place prior to Croatia assuming the EU Council presidency for the first time.

AVIS28: a report to outline Switzerland's future foreign policy

02.07.2019 — Press release EDA
The AVIS28 Working Group set up by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in October 2018 submitted its report in Bern today. Entitled 'Switzerland in the world in 2028', the document analyses the challenges ahead and proposes a range of options for adapting Swiss foreign policy instruments to future realities. To consolidate Switzerland's position in an increasingly unstable world, the working group recommends developing a whole-of-Switzerland approach involving all national stakeholders, as well as a more targeted, better interconnected and more reactive foreign policy.

FDF activates protective measure to protect stock exchange infrastructure

27.06.2019 — Press release DEA
As announced last Monday, 24 June 2019, the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) updated the list of jurisdictions that restrict their market participants in trading equity securities of companies with registered office in Switzerland today, Thursday, 27 June 2019. The new list will apply from Monday, 1 July 2019. The FDF is thereby activating the measure to protect the Swiss stock exchange infrastructure.

FDF prepared to activate measure to protect Swiss stock exchange infrastructure

24.06.2019 — Press release DEA
The stock market equivalence granted by the European Commission to Switzerland for a limited period expires at the end of June. In order to create clarity for market participants, today the Federal Department of Finance FDF is notifying that it will activate the measure to protect the Swiss stock exchange infrastructure in the event of non-extension.

Record efficiency for a gas engine

20.06.2019 — Press release DEA
At the end of May, the final meeting of the "Horizon 2020" project "GasOn" with the EU Commission took place in Brussels. The aim of this EU project was the further development of gas engines for cars and vans. Around 20 partners participated, including ETH Zurich and Empa as well as four European automobile manufacturers and well-known suppliers. Gas-powered vehicles generally emit less pollutants than petrol or diesel cars. They are likely to gain importance in the future due to their possibility of being powered by renewable energy.

Institutional agreement Switzerland-EU: Federal Council to demand clarifications

07.06.2019 — Press release DEA
The Federal Council intends to consolidate and further develop the bilateral approach, the cornerstone of relations between Switzerland and the EU. This also requires the search for solutions to the institutional issues. At its meeting of 7 June 2019, it approved the report on the consultations on the institutional agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) and decided to demand clarifications. The Federal Council also underlined that maintaining the current level of wage protection was a key Swiss demand and that the social partners and the cantons would be closely involved in the next steps of the process.

ESA and EU member states highlight the importance of the space sector

28.05.2019 — Press release DEA
The State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, Martina Hirayama, participated to the ‘Space Council’ of ESA and EU member states in Brussels today. A joint resolution entitled ‘Space as an Enabler’ was adopted, emphasising the role of space as a significant socio-economic tool, its importance in expanding the frontiers of knowledge, and its contribution to the development and implementation of policy in various sectors.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis discusses multilateral cooperation and security in Europe with Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajčák

16.05.2019 — Press release DEA
Mr Cassis, who is the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), has met Mr Lajčák in Bratislava during a working visit to Slovakia. Both foreign ministers highlighted the positive development of their countries bilateral ties and discussed the institutional agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU). Talks concerning multilateral cooperation focused on security in Europe and the work of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Mr Lajčák is the current Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE. Slovakia also currently holds the presidency of the Visegrad Group (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland) and will soon assume the chairmanship of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Impact of Global Value Added Chains on Switzerland

14.01.2015 — Press release DEA
Today, the Federal Council adopted the 2014 Foreign Economic Policy Report. The report’s feature topic is the impact of global value added chains on the Swiss economy. In the year under review, the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement was adopted and a new free trade agreement between Switzerland and China, in particular, entered into force. Switzerland continued cooperation with developing countries promoting sustainable economic development and strengthening the administrative capacity of governmental players

Federal Council initiates two consultations on international exchange of information in tax matters

14.01.2015 — Press release DEA
During its meeting today, the Federal Council launched two consultations on the international exchange of information in tax matters, which should also make the automatic exchange of information (AEOI) possible. One bill concerns the OECD/Council of Europe administrative assistance convention signed by Switzerland in 2013. The other bill concerns Switzerland's participation in the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement and the AEOI implementing act. The issue of the countries with which Switzerland should establish the automatic exchange of information will be presented to Parliament separately at a later stage.

Federal Council opens consultation on the continuation of the Federal Act on Cooperation with the States of Eastern Europe

17.12.2014 — Press release DEA
The Federal Council has opened the consultation on the continuation of the Federal Act on Cooperation with the States of Eastern Europe (Eastern Europe Cooperation Act). The current act is still valid until the end of May 2017. A timely prolongation should enable the seamless continuation of cooperation with the countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. The consultation will last until 31 March 2015.

Direct democracy and foreign policy shape Switzerland's image in 2014

15.12.2014 — Press release DEA
Like the 9 February referendum on the mass immigration initiative, Switzerland's many popular votes in 2014 have consistently captured the attention of foreign media. There has also been extensive coverage of the international conferences that have been hosted in Geneva, as well as of Switzerland's Chairmanship of the OSCE. This coverage has given Switzerland's good offices and peacebuilding efforts a much higher profile. The Swiss financial sector continues to be subject to criticism, although there have been signs of improvement this year. In the sporting arena, Switzerland's image has benefited from the national football team's strong performance in Brazil, and the Swiss victory in the Davis Cup. Finally, Switzerland continues to enjoy considerable popularity, as demonstrated by its excellent rankings in international image indices.

Visegrad-Gipfel: Schweiz verstärkt Dialog und Zusammenarbeit mit der Slowakei, Tschechien, Polen und Ungarn (de)

09.12.2014 — Press release DEA
Bei seinem Treffen mit den Premierministern Robert Fico (Slowakei), Bohuslav Sobotka (Tschechien), Ewa Kopacz (Polen) und Viktor Orban (Ungarn) im Rahmen des Visegrad-Gipfels in Bratislava hat Bundespräsident Didier Burkhalter mit seinen Gesprächspartnern eine Erklärung verabschiedet, die einen regelmässigen Meinungsaustausch vorsieht und die Entwicklung gemeinsamer Initiativen etwa in den Bereichen Bildung, Forschung oder wirtschaftlicher Zusammenarbeit fördern möchte. Bundespräsident Burkhalter nutzte seinen Aufenthalt in Bratislava ausserdem für bilaterale Gespräche mit dem slowakischen Präsidenten Andrej Kiska, Premierminister Robert Fico und Aussenminister Miroslav Lajcak.

End of commitment period for enlargement contribution to Bulgaria and Romania

08.12.2014 — Press release DEA
The commitment period of the enlargement contribution for Bulgaria and Romania, which joined the EU in 2007, ended on 7 December. In all, 13 thematic funds and 28 projects totalling CHF 257 million were approved. The Swiss commitment aims to eradicate social and economic disparities in the enlarged European Union (EU).

Federal Council takes note of final report of group of experts on "further development of financial market strategy"

05.12.2014 — Press release DEA
During its meeting today, the Federal Council took due note of the final report of the group of experts on the further development of the financial market strategy. It will now analyse the report and draw its conclusions. In the future, an advisory board comprised of representatives from academia, the private sector and authorities should assess the fundamental challenges and the future prospects for the financial centre, and submit recommendations to the Federal Council where necessary.

Meeting of the European Space Agency’s Council at Ministerial level

02.12.2014 — Press release DEA
Important decisions regarding the development of the next-generation of European launcher, Europe’s space exploration strategy and the evolution of ESA were taken at today’s European Space Agency Ministerial Council in Luxembourg. Switzerland is co-president of the Ministerial Council until 2016 and the next meeting will take place on Swiss territory. Today’s meeting was co-chaired by Mauro Dell’Ambrogio, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation

The President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, meets the Maltese Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr George W. Vella

04.11.2014 — Press release DEA

Bern, 04.11.2014 - The President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) met the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Malta on Tuesday for an official working visit at the Watteville House in Bern. The meeting was an opportunity to take stock of various international and multilateral issues and of the development of bilateral relations between Switzerland and Malta. A memorandum of understanding was signed.

Optimierung Flankierende Massnahmen: Schulung für Vollzugsorgane

03.11.2014 — Press release DEA

British Minister of State for Europe, David Lidington, pays visit to Bern

22.10.2014 — Press release DEA
Relations between Switzerland and the United Kingdom, the activities of the OSCE, the situation in Ukraine and policy on the EU took centre-stage at the talks between the British Minister of State for Europe, David Lidington, and the President of the Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, who received his guest on Wednesday for a working lunch at the Von Wattenwyl House.

British Minister of State for Europe, David Lidington, pays visit to Bern

22.10.2014 — Press release EDA
Relations between Switzerland and the United Kingdom, the activities of the OSCE, the situation in Ukraine and policy on the EU took centre-stage at the talks between the British Minister of State for Europe, David Lidington, and the President of the Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, who received his guest on Wednesday for a working lunch at the Von Wattenwyl House.

EU and Swiss regulators sign confidentiality arrangement

22.07.2015 — Article DEA

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 — DEA
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 DEA

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 — DEA
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 — DEA
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 — DEA
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 — DEA
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 — DEA
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 — DEA
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.