All news (687)
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin meets with Slovenia’s Minister for Economic Affairs Matjaž Han
10.04.2024
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Press releases
Europa
On 10 April, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research Guy Parmelin received Slovenia’s Minister of the Economy, Tourism and Sport Matjaž Han. The excellent economic relations between Switzerland and Slovenia were at the centre of the exchange in Bern.
Horizon package: Federal Council to finance transitional measures in 2024
10.04.2024
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Press releases
Europa
On 10 April, the Federal Council decided on transitional measures for the 2024 calls for proposals under the European Union's Horizon package 2021-2027 (Horizon Europe, Euratom programme, ITER and Digital Europe Programme). A maximum amount of CHF 650 million has been set aside for this purpose. This allocation is drawn from funding earmarked by Parliament at the end of 2020 for Switzerland's participation in the Horizon package. The Federal Council remains committed to achieving Swiss association to the Horizon package as soon as possible.
Discussions between the National Cyber Security Centre and the French Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI)
03.04.2024
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Press releases
Europa
Florian Schütz, Director of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), will meet with his French counterpart, Vincent Strubel, Director General of the French Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI), on 3 April to discuss cybersecurity issues and strengthen relations between the two countries.
More and more Swiss nationals are living abroad, especially in Europe (last modification, the 28.03.2024)
28.03.2024
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Press releases
Europa
At the end of 2023, 813 400 Swiss nationals were living abroad. This number has increased since 2022 (+13 400 people or +1.7%). Almost two-thirds of the Swiss abroad live in Europe and more than a quarter in France, but many also live on other continents.
Swiss life satisfaction is highest in Europe – yet inequalities persist
26.03.2024
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Press releases
Europa
In European comparison, life satisfaction in Switzerland is consistently high and in 2022 was the highest of all European countries. The overall standard of living also remained high in European comparison. However, almost one in ten people had difficulty making ends meet and 4.9% of the population had to go without important goods, services and social activities for financial reasons. The poverty rate was 8.2%. These are some of the findings from the 2022 Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) conducted by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Switzerland and Denmark strengthen relations in higher education, research and innovation
20.03.2024
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Press releases
Europa
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and Denmark’s Minister of Higher Education and Science Christina Egelund signed a memorandum of understanding in Copenhagen on 20 March to enhance cooperation between the universities, researchers, innovation stakeholders and funding bodies of both countries.
President Amherd and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen open negotiations between Switzerland and the EU
18.03.2024
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Press releases
EDA
On Monday, 18 March, President Viola Amherd and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen officially opened negotiations between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) in the presence of the chief negotiators from both sides. While in Brussels, Ms Amherd also met with Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice President of the European Commission. In addition to bilateral relations between Switzerland and the EU, geopolitical and security policy challenges facing Europe were also discussed.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to travel to East Africa
14.03.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will travel to Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya from 17 to 22 March 2024. Discussions will focus on bilateral relations and regional geopolitical issues. Possible avenues for a peace process in Ukraine will also be explored. The Greater Horn of Africa is one of the most dynamic regions in the world, but is also one of the most fragile and severely affected by conflict. Mr Cassis will meet with the presidents and foreign ministers of all three countries. A meeting is also scheduled with the chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission. The AU joined the G20 earlier this year.
Swiss–EU relations: Federal Council approves definitive negotiating mandate
08.03.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 8 March 2024, the Federal Council approved the negotiating mandate with the EU in its definitive form. The mandate adopted takes account of the results of the consultation with the foreign affairs committees (FACs) and other interested parliamentary committees, the cantons and the views of the social and economic partners. Negotiations will begin as soon as the European Commission has adopted its own definitive mandate, expected sometime in March 2024.
Swiss President Amherd discusses bilateral relations and the European security situation at Bucharest meeting
07.03.2024
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Press releases
Europa
President of the Swiss Confederation, Viola Amherd, concluded her trip to Romania by meeting with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu on Thursday, 7 March to discuss bilateral relations, European policy issues and the current security situation. On Wednesday Ms Amherd met with President Klaus Iohannis and Finance Minister Marcel Bolos. She also attended the European People’s Party Congress in Bucharest, where her meeting with Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova, also focused on security issues.
Federal Councillor Beat Jans attends the meeting of justice and home affairs ministers in Brussels
05.03.2024
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Press releases
Europa
Federal Councillor Beat Jans attended the meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA Council) on 4 and 5 March in Brussels. The JHA Council is made up of the justice and home affairs ministers of all the EU member states and the four non-EU countries that are part of the Schengen agreement, of which Switzerland is one. The talks focused on combating organised crime, drug trafficking, people smuggling and irregular migration. Mr Jans, who is head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP), also took part on the fringes of the meeting in a round table discussion on cross-border data exchange and data protection.
State Secretary Hirayama attends informal meeting of EU ministers for higher education
04.03.2024
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Press releases
Europa
On 29 February and 1 March, State Secretary Martina Hirayama took part in an informal meeting in Brussels of ministers for higher education in EU member states. The event focused on international mobility in higher education and how it could be better promoted in the future. Ms Hirayama also held bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Belgium, Denmark and Spain and exchanged views with representatives of the European Commission.