Situation in Ukraine: Switzerland extends its measures

25.02.2022 — Press release DEA
On 25 February 2022 the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER modified Annex 3 of the Ordinance on measures to prevent the circumvention of international sanctions in relation to the situation in Ukraine. These modifications enter into force at 6pm today.

EU relations: Federal Council sets out approach for negotiations

25.02.2022 — Press release EDA
At its retreat dealing with European policy on 23 February 2022, the Federal Council continued to debate the issues at hand and adopted a set of guidelines for its negotiating package with the EU. Regarding the institutional issues, the Federal Council decided on a vertical approach aimed at anchoring the different aspects in each individual single market agreement. This will be the basis for initiating exploratory talks with the EU. Ongoing work on the existing regulatory differences will continue in parallel.

Federal Council to seek participation in Copernicus

16.02.2022 — Press release DEA
At the end of January, the Federal Council decided to seek participation in Copernicus, the EU's Earth observation programme, in the current 2021–2027 programme period. On 16 February, it instructed DETEC to initiate technical talks with the EU in cooperation with the DDPS, the FDFA, DETEC and the EAER.

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.

FDF enables recognition of EU trading venues

20.12.2018 — Press release DEA
The Federal Department of Finance (FDF) has noted the European Commission's decision of 20 December 2018 to extend Switzerland's stock market equivalence until the end of June 2019. As a result, the FDF – based on the Federal Council Ordinance of 30 November 2018 on the Recognition of Foreign Trading Venues – has created the prerequisite to allow EU trading venues to obtain the new FINMA recognition for the time being as well.

Brexit: Switzerland and the UK guarantee citizens’ existing rights

20.12.2018 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 19 December, the Federal Council approved an agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) on the rights of citizens following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU (Brexit). The agreement safeguards the rights of Swiss and UK nationals acquired under the Free Movement of Persons Agreement (e.g. residence rights). This measure is part of the Swiss government’s ‘Mind the Gap’ strategy, the purpose of which is to ensure the acquired rights and obligations of citizens after Brexit.

Federal Council lays the foundation for future economic and trade relations with the United Kingdom

14.12.2018 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 14 December the Federal Council approved the text of a trade agreement with the UK aiming to maintain existing economic and trade relations with the country after its departure from the European Union. The conclusion of this agreement forms part of the Federal Council’s ‘Mind the Gap’ strategy.

Federal Council initiates consultation on introduction of AEOI with 18 further states

07.12.2018 — Press release DEA
During its meeting on 7 December 2018, the Federal Council initiated the consultation on the introduction of the automatic exchange of financial account information (AEOI) with 18 further states and territories. The implementation of the AEOI is planned for 1 January 2020, and the first exchange of data should take place in 2021. The expansion of Switzerland's AEOI network takes current international developments into account.

European policy – Federal Council decides to launch consultations on the draft institutional agreement

07.12.2018 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 7 December 2018, the Federal Council took note of the current outcome of the negotiations on the draft institutional agreement between Switzerland and the European Union. It also takes note of the fact that the EU considers the negotiations to have been concluded. The Federal Council considers the current outcome of the negotiations to be largely in Switzerland's interests and in line with the negotiating mandate. The Federal Council has however decided not to initial the institutional agreement for the time being, in particular in view of outstanding issues relating to the accompanying measures and the Citizens' Rights Directive. It will launch consultations on the draft agreement. The goal of these consultations will be to reach a consolidated position in order to seek further dialogue with the EU if necessary. The Federal Council will consider the status of these consultations in spring 2019.

EU grants 14 million to Swiss Researchers

06.12.2018 — Press release DEA
An ERC Grant is the most prestigious award for excellent European research projects. A team with three researchers from the ETH Domain had also applied for such a grant. Today, Gabriel Aeppli from the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI, Henrik Rønnow from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne EPFL and Nicola Spaldin from ETH Zurich, together with their colleague Alexander Balatsky from Nordita, Stockholm University, received the contract signed by the EU confirming the extraordinary 14 million euro funding. With this funding, they will join their expertise to look into the heart of materials. Using the large research facilities at PSI, they plan to uncover new quantum effects which up to now have been overlooked or could not be seen by previously employed methods. They will also design new materials with useful quantum properties. Such new properties could be of use for data processing or data storage in the future and thus become the backbone of future electronics for the benefit of our Society.

Federal Council brings measure to protect Swiss stock exchange infrastructure into force

30.11.2018 — Press release DEA
The Federal Council continues to advocate that the European Commission extend indefinitely Switzerland's stock market equivalence, which will expire at the end of 2018. Such an extension has not yet taken place. In its meeting on 30 November 2018, the Federal Council adopted a measure as announced to protect the Swiss stock exchange infrastructure, as the market needs clarity in order to adapt to the various scenarios in good time. The new recognition obligation for foreign trading venues introduced by ordinance will apply from 1 January 2019. In practice, it will have an effect only if necessary.

Meeting of the Joint Swiss-EU Committee in the fields of research and innovation

16.11.2018 — Press release DEA
The 23rd meeting of the Joint Committee between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) / Euratom in the areas of research and innovation took place in Brussels today. It provided an opportunity to discuss the implementation of the existing agreement between Switzerland and the EU on the current EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation ‘Horizon 2020’, the Euratom Programme and the international fusion reactor ITER. It also allowed for an exchange of information on ‘Horizon Europe’, the next research and innovation framework programme starting in 2021.

TRAF – No more new principal companies and Swiss finance branches from 2019

15.11.2018 — Press release DEA
In the context of the bill on tax reform and AHV financing (TRAF), the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) will no longer apply the federal practices concerning principal companies and Swiss finance branches to new companies from 2019.

Working meeting in Bern between Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and Lithuanian Minister for Foreign Affairs Linas Antanas Linkevičius

15.11.2018 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has met his Lithuanian counterpart, Linas Antanas Linkevičius, at the Von Wattenwyl House in Bern. The talks focused on bilateral matters, European policy and security issues.

President Alain Berset visits Romania, next holder of EU Council presidency

01.11.2018 — Press release DEA
On Thursday, 1 November, President Berset paid a visit to Romania. The visit follows the tradition of establishing contact with the holder of the next EU Council presidency. Romania will assume the rotating six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first time in January. In addition to bilateral issues, the official talks with Romanian President Klaus Werner Iohannis focused primarily on European policy issues.

Switzerland and Malta reaffirm their ties

30.10.2018 — Press release EDA
Switzerland and Malta maintain good and increasingly intensive relations. This was emphasised by both sides during an official visit to Switzerland by Maltese President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca on Tuesday, 30 October. In addition to bilateral issues, Malta’s head of state and President Alain Berset discussed European and migration policy issues, as well as developments in the conflict areas of North Africa and the Middle East.

Emissions trading scheme: acquisition of aviation data in 2018

02.06.2017 — DEA
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 — DEA
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 — DEA
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 DEA

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 — DEA
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 DEA

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 — DEA
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 — DEA
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 DEA

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 — DEA
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 — DEA
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 — DEA
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.