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Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to attend a meeting of European labour ministers

14.02.2022 — Press release DEA
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin is to attend an informal meeting of EU ministers for work, employment and social affairs in Bordeaux on Tuesday, 14 February. The meeting will focus on the impact of digitalisation and climate change on the labour market.

Close Swiss-Austrian relations reaffirmed: President of the Swiss Confederation Cassis receives Austrian Chancellor Nehammer in Zofingen

14.02.2022 — Press release EDA
Today, Monday 14 February 2022, Austrian Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer began his first official visit to Switzerland, where he was welcomed by President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis. Switzerland's Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter also took part in the official talks and the joint lunch. The chancellor's visit marks the third high-level Swiss-Austrian meeting this year and demonstrates the neighbouring countries' desire to further strengthen their relations. The visit took place in Canton Aargau's town Zofingen – a symbol of the historical ties between the two states.

Meeting of the Joint Swiss–EU Committee for Research and Innovation

04.02.2022 — Press release DEA
On 4 February, the 26th meeting of the Joint Committee for Research and Innovation took place between Switzerland and the EU/Euratom. The meeting focused on Switzerland's association to Horizon 2020, the Euratom Programme, and its participation in the construction of the international fusion reactor ITER. Highlighted at the meeting was Switzerland's significant contribution to the success of these programmes and projects and their positive impact.

Swiss-EU relations: President Ignazio Cassis meets with civil society representatives in Bern

31.01.2022 — Press release EDA
President Ignazio Cassis met with representatives from the business and scientific community in Bern this evening, as well as with organisations with an interest in European relations. The aim of the meeting was to have an open discussion on specific proposals made in recent months by civil society on relations between Switzerland and the EU.

President Cassis discusses bilateral and international issues with President Steinmeier, Chancellor Scholz and Foreign Minister Baerbock

20.01.2022 — Press release EDA
President Ignazio Cassis met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Berlin on Thursday, 20 January. The talks focused on the bilateral relations between the two countries, and on current challenges in Europe and worldwide.

President Cassis to meet President Steinmeier, Chancellor Scholz and Foreign Minister Baerbock in Berlin

18.01.2022 — Press release EDA
President Ignazio Cassis is travelling to Berlin this week, where he will be received by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Thursday, 20 January. Also on the agenda that day are first meetings with the new chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and the new foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock.

50th anniversary of International Lake Constance Conference: President Cassis to strengthen cross-border cooperation

14.01.2022 — Press release EDA
On Friday, 14 January, the German, Austrian, Liechtenstein and Swiss representatives of the cantons and federal states that are a part of the International Lake Constance Conference (IBK) met on Mount Säntis to celebrate the Conference's 50th anniversary. President Ignazio Cassis also attended the event. The aim of the IBK is to promote cross-border cooperation in the Lake Constance area and to strengthen relations between the four neighbouring countries and regions near the border.

President Cassis on first visit to Vienna

13.01.2022 — Press release EDA
On Thursday, 13 January 2022, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Ignazio Cassis, travelled to Vienna for his first official visit. There he was received by Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and exchanged views with Chancellor Karl Nehammer and the president of the Austrian National Council, Wolfgang Sobotka. Talks focused on bilateral relations, namely the strategic partnership that the two countries adopted last year, as well as on relations between Switzerland and the EU. Other major topics discussed were pan-European and international challenges. The trip to Vienna marks a decades-old tradition of each new Swiss and Austrian president making their first trip abroad to each other’s country, a sign of the friendly relationship between Switzerland and its Alpine neighbour.

President Ignazio Cassis to visit Vienna and Berlin

11.01.2022 — Press release EDA
In the next ten days President Ignazio Cassis will meet with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Liechtenstein's Prime Minister Daniel Risch. The visit to Vienna on Thursday continues a decades-old tradition of each new Swiss and Austrian president making their first trip abroad to each other’s country. Talks will focus on the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries and Switzerland's European policy.

'Geneva, city of peace', Europe and referendums: Switzerland seen from abroad in 2021

16.12.2021 — Press release EDA
Political topics dominated foreign media coverage of Switzerland in 2021. The highlight of the year was the summit between US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva. Here, Switzerland presented itself as a bridge-builder. In contrast, developments in Swiss-EU relations attracted negative attention. Two referendums also received a lot of international coverage. Switzerland continues to enjoy a generally very good reputation abroad, according to the Nation Brand Index (NBI).

Cross-border cooperation between France, Germany and Switzerland: Upper Rhine intergovernmental commission meets for 30th time

13.12.2021 — Press release EDA
On Monday, 13 December 2021, the Franco-German-Swiss Intergovernmental Commission for the promotion of cross-border cooperation in the Upper Rhine region met for its 30th session. With Germany chairing the online session, the parties discussed numerous cross-border issues, including the pandemic, transport matters and frontier workers.

Technische Handelshemmnisse Schweiz-EU: Sitzung des Gemischten Ausschusses hat stattgefunden

01.12.2021 — Press release DEA
Am 1. Dezember 2021 hat die 16. Sitzung des Gemischten Ausschusses zum Abkommen über die gegenseitige Anerkennung von Konformitätsbewertungen (MRA) stattgefunden. Die Gespräche konzentrierten sich auf die Umsetzung des Kapitels über Medizinprodukte.

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Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in Vilnius for Ukraine Reform Conference and bilateral talks

08.07.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attended the Ukraine Reform Conference 2021 (URC) in Vilnius from 6 to 8 July. At the end of this year's conference, Switzerland officially assumed the chair of the URC2022 in Lugano. During the conference, Mr Cassis met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba. To mark two anniversaries in Swiss–Lithuanian relations, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs also met with the Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis in Vilnius.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visits Estonia to mark double anniversary and discuss digitalisation

06.07.2021 — Press release EDA
Following the first leg of his visit to the Baltic States in Latvia, today Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, travelled to Estonia where he met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Eva-Maria Liimets and Parliamentary Speaker Jüri Ratas. Their talks focused on digitalisation, European policy and Switzerland's candidacy for a seat on the UN Security Council in the period 2023–24. Mr Cassis also visited the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis starts Baltic tour with official visit to Latvia

05.07.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has begun his trip to the Baltic States with an official visit to Latvia. This year, Switzerland is celebrating a double anniversary with all three Baltic countries: the centenary of their independence and 30 years since the resumption of diplomatic relations following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Mr Cassis was received in Riga on 5 July by Latvian President Egils Levits, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs and Parliamentary Speaker Ināra Mūrniece. Talks focused on European policy. Latvia is the first stop on Mr Cassis' trip to the region. He will then pay an official visit to Estonia followed by Lithuania, where he will also take part in the Ukraine Reform Conference.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to travel to Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania and take part in Ukraine Reform Conference in Vilnius

01.07.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will make an official visit to the Baltic states from 4 to 8 July 2021. He will travel to Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. He will also participate in the Ukraine Reform Conference in Vilnius on 7 and 8 July. The talks will focus on European policy, bilateral cooperation and the challenges currently facing the international community. Mr Cassis is attending the Reform Conference in preparation for Switzerland's upcoming chairmanship in 2022.

Switzerland - UK: Federal Council adopts dispatch on Services Mobility Agreement

30.06.2021 — Press release DEA
On 30 June, the Federal Council adopted a dispatch on the agreement between Switzerland and the UK on the mobility of service providers (Services Mobility Agreement, SMA). The agreement ensures reciprocal facilitated access for service providers between Switzerland and the UK following the expiry of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP).

Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer meets Ireland's Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, in Dublin

28.06.2021 — Press release DEA
On 28 June 2021 in Dublin, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer met the Irish Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, for an exchange on bilateral and multilateral tax issues.

Third meeting of the Italian-Swiss joint committee for cooperation in the area of science

28.06.2021 — Press release DEA
On June 28, 2021, the third meeting of the Italian-Swiss joint committee for cooperation in the area of science met took place in a virtual format. The meeting included both a bilateral discussion between Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, and Maria Cristina Messa, Italian Minister for University and Research, and an in-depth exchange between the respective high-level delegations of both countries on existing and future scientific cooperation.

Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer meets Hungary's Minister for Finance, Varga Mihály, in Budapest

25.06.2021 — Press release DEA
On 25 June 2021 in Budapest, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer met the Hungarian Minister for Finance, Varga Mihály, for an exchange on bilateral and multilateral tax issues.

Project submissions opened for Horizon Europe

25.06.2021 — Press release DEA
The European Commission has launched the calls for project proposals under Horizon Europe. Switzerland and the EU have not yet held negotiations on Switzerland's association to the programme. Researchers in Switzerland can nonetheless participate in the calls for proposals, albeit to a limited extent. If there is a delay or no association, Swiss researchers will have the possibility of receiving direct funding from the Confederation.

Number of cross-border commuters has grown steadily since the turn of the millennium

24.06.2021 — Press release DEA
At the end of 2020, some 343 000 cross-border commuters were working in Switzerland. This was twice as many as 25 years ago. Nearly all of them came from a neighbouring country and worked in a border canton. Although the canton of Geneva had the highest absolute number of these workers, their percentage share in total employment was largest in the canton of Ticino. These are some of the findings from the “Cross-border commuters in Switzerland 1996-2020” publication from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Bilateral affairs and Swiss–EU relations high on the agenda for Ignazio Cassis' visit to Paris

18.06.2021 — Press release EDA
On 17 June, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met France's Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian in Paris. Talks focused on Swiss–EU relations and relations between Switzerland and France. Various international issues of current concern were also discussed.

Ignazio Cassis to meet Jean-Yves Le Drian in Paris

16.06.2021 — Press release EDA
On Thursday 17 June, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will be in Paris to meet with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian. Talks will focus on Swiss–EU relations and relations between Switzerland and France.

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Coronavirus: Further easing of entry restrictions from 8 June

27.05.2020 — DEA
The Federal Council is to further relax entry restrictions in connection with the coronavirus pandemic. The restrictions will be lifted in step with the reopening of the economy. From 8 June, the cantons will begin processing applications from workers from the EU/EFTA member states. In addition, Swiss companies will be allowed to employ highly skilled workers from third countries if this is in the public interest, or if they are urgently required. To benefit the domestic workforce, companies will again be required to give notification of job vacancies, a measure that was temporarily suspended during the lockdown. Lastly, the Federal Council plans to lift all travel restrictions and re-establish the free movement of persons across the Schengen area no later than 6 July. Border controls with Germany, Austria and France will be lifted as early as 15 June, as previously announced.

Securing access to research cooperation and funding programmes in Europe

20.05.2020 — DEA
Horizon Europe, the EU’s next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, is due to start in 2021. Along with three other European initiatives, Horizon Europe forms the ‘2021–2027 Horizon package’. On 20 May 2020 the Federal Council adopted a dispatch on funding requesting Parliament to approve CHF 6,154 million in funding to secure Switzerland’s participation in the Horizon package. Provided Parliament approves this funding, the Federal Council and the EU will be able to renew their bilateral research agreement and secureSwitzerland’s continued and uninterrupted participation in the Horizon package as an associated state.

Coronavirus: Switzerland reaches agreement with Germany, Austria and France on opening borders

13.05.2020 — DEA
Switzerland plans to open all borders with Germany, Austria and France on 15 June 2020, if the epidemiological situation allows. Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter has reached agreement on this move following talks with the interior ministers of these three neighbouring countries. She advised the Federal Council of the agreement at its meeting on 13 May 2020.

New slides provide handy, up-to-date information on Switzerland’s European policy

26.11.2019 — Article DEA
Switzerland enjoys close, important and diverse relations with the European Union. They are based on the bilateral approach and influence many aspects of citizens’ lives, both in Switzerland and in the EU.

Serbian Prime Minister Brnabić attends working meeting with President Maurer

03.09.2019 — DEA
On Tuesday, 3 September, President Ueli Maurer received Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić at the Bernerhof for a working visit on the fringes of Swiss Digital Day. Discussions covered bilateral issues such as business and digital transformation, Serbia’s relations with the European Union, and the situation in the Western Balkans.

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.

Switzerland and EU adapt their insurance agreement

05.07.2018 — DEA
Switzerland and the EU have been adapting their Direct Insurance Agreement which has existed since 1989 to the new regulatory requirements. The mixed committee with representatives from both sides adopted the changes on 3 July 2018 and brought them into effect. Thereby the agreement is also in line with the future requirements of the Swiss insurance business.

Switzerland and France give go-ahead to implementation of EuroAirport agreement

19.12.2017 — EDA
At their first meeting, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian brought the issue of the tax regime at Basel-Mulhouse (EuroAirport) to a conclusion: the agreement regulating Swiss companies operating at EuroAirport will be applicable from next year. The two foreign ministers' working meeting also focused on other bilateral issues, the situation in Europe and Switzerland's policy with regard to the EU.

EU-Switzerland Financial Regulatory Dialogue held in Bern

19.10.2017 — DEA
The Swiss State Secretariat for International Financial Matters and the European Commission held their 2017 Financial Regulatory Dialogue on October 19 in Berne. The Dialogue was co-chaired by Jörg Gasser, State Secretary for International Financial Matters, and Olivier Guersent, European Commission's Director General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union. Participants included staff from the European Commission, European Supervisory Authorities, Single Resolution Board, the Swiss federal administration, the Swiss National Bank and the Swiss Financial Supervisory Authority FINMA.

European Parliament’s PANA Committee to visit Switzerland

15.09.2017 — DEA
The Swiss authorities will receive a delegation from the European Parliament's PANA Committee on 15 September. The focus of the talks will be the current system and the ongoing work to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and tax offences.

Switzerland once again a full member of partnership-funded EU innovation programmes

23.08.2017 — DEA
On 23 August, the Federal Council approved the agreements on Switzerland’s participation in the Eurostars-2 and the Active and Assisted Living research and development programmes. This means that Switzerland is once again a full member of both programmes and is co-financed by the EU. The programmes are particularly interesting for research-intensive SMEs looking to enter new European or global markets through cross-border cooperation. Switzerland’s participation in the AAL programme is one of the many measures that form part of the federal government’s Skilled Workers Initiative.

Linking of the Swiss and European emissions trading systems: big step forward

16.08.2017 — DEA
Switzerland and the European Union are preparing to link their emissions trading systems. The Federal Council approved the signing of the corresponding agreement at its meeting of 16 August 2017. The European Commission has also adopted proposals for the signature and ratification of the agreement and has submitted them to the Council of the European Union for approval. The agreement could be signed before the end of this year. Its ratification must then be approved by the Swiss and European parliaments.

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