All news (763)
Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer attends meeting of EU and EFTA economics and finance ministers in Brussels

08.11.2016
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Press releases
Mission EU Brussels
Bern, 08.11.2016 - On Tuesday, 8 November 2016, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer attended the annual meeting of the economics and finance ministers of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the European Union (EU), the so-called Joint ECOFIN, in Brussels. The meeting focused on investing activity in Europe.
Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer attends meeting of EU and EFTA economics and finance ministers in Brussels
08.11.2016
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Press releases
Europa
On Tuesday, 8 November 2016, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer attended the annual meeting of the economics and finance ministers of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the European Union (EU), the so-called Joint ECOFIN, in Brussels. The meeting focused on investing activity in Europe.
Tax system for EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse: agreement initialled between Switzerland and France

04.11.2016
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Press releases
Europa
During political consultations between France and Switzerland, State Secretary of the FDFA, Yves Rossier, and the General Secretary of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, Christian Masset, have initialled the text of an intergovernmental agreement on the tax system applying to EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse (EAP).
Withdrawal of Switzerland’s membership application to the EU - EU's reply
26.10.2016
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Article
Europa
EU's reply letter of the 19.10.2016 (PDF, 1 Page, 110.9 kB, English)
Swiss Government's letter of the 27.7.2016 (in French) (PDF, 1 Page, 216.6 kB, French)
Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge Brende makes official visit to Switzerland
24.10.2016
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Press releases
Europa
President of the Swiss Confederation Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, and Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard received Norway's Foreign Minister Børge Brende for working meetings on 24 October 2016. The talks focused on bilateral political and economic relations and European policy. Further topics were cooperation between Switzerland and Norway in international forums such as the UN and issues in connection with current international events. Foreign Minister Brende also made a courtesy visit to Christa Markwalder, President of the National Council.
Slovak President Andrej Kiska pays official visit to Switzerland
21.10.2016
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Press releases
Europa
The Slovak president, Andrej Kiska, arrived in Switzerland for an official visit on Friday, 21 October. In the morning he toured the ETH Zurich with President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann. Later the Slovak president was received with military honours at the Lohn country residence. The official talks focused on the themes of European policy and bilateral relations, particularly from an economic perspective, and also covered education, research and innovation. Slovakia currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer receives Slovakian Finance Minister
19.10.2016
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Press releases
Europa
This afternoon, Finance Minister Ueli Maurer received his Slovakian counterpart, Peter Kažimír, in Bern. The talks focused on an exchange on the macroeconomic situation in Europe and the most important international financial and tax issues.
Federal Council receives Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

17.10.2016
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Press releases
Europa
On Monday, 17 October, President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann greeted Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in Geneva at the start of his state visit to Switzerland. The two presidents then went on to visit the Campus Biotech research centre. In the afternoon Portugal’s head of state was received by the full Federal Council in Bern. The main themes covered during the official discussions included cooperation in the fields of education and research, energy, environmental and climate policy, and European policy issues.
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter receives Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström
11.10.2016
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Press releases
Europa
Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) Didier Burkhalter received the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström for a working visit today. The talks, held at Hôtel DuPeyrou in Neuchâtel, covered bilateral relations and EU policy. Cooperation between Switzerland and Sweden in international forums and topical international issues were also on the agenda for discussion.
Implementation of the Mass Immigration Initiative: quick ratification of the Croatia protocol possible
30.09.2016
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Press releases
Europa
At its meeting on 28/29 September 2016 the ETH Board made key decisions in order to invest in strategic research areas which are crucial for Switzerland. It also discussed the current implementation status of the Mass Immigration Initiative. In the view of the ETH Board, the National Council’s recent decision lays the foundations for the Croatia protocol to be quickly ratified by the Federal Council so that Switzerland could remain within Horizon 2020.
Federal Council amends Heavy Vehicle Charge Ordinance
23.09.2016
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Press releases
Europa
During its meeting today, the Federal Council amended the tariffs for vehicles which are subject to the mileage-related heavy vehicle charge (LSVA). The new tariffs will enter into force on 1 January 2017. In this way, the decisions to promote the shift of transalpine goods transport which the Federal Council took in principle with the 2015 report on the transfer of traffic will be implemented.
Debate in the national council about immigration

21.09.2016
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Press releases
Mission EU Brussels