Here you can find the last 12 media releases and other news published by the FDFA, such as statements, announcements and articles, in chronological order.
All media releases can be found on the Administarions's website.
08.02.2010
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey will travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo and to Tanzania from 9-13 February 2010 to hold talks on ministerial level. While in the DRC, she will visit SDC programmes in South Kivu Province in the east of the country. The trip will focus on Switzerland’s cooperation and development activities, in particular in the health sector.
03.02.2010
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Press releases
EDA
In pursuing its policy to avoid allowing the Swiss financial centre to become a haven for illicitly acquired assets, the Federal Council has reached a decision to continue the freeze on the Duvalier assets on the basis of the Constitution. In view of the criminal origin of these funds, the Federal Council in this way avoids releasing the approximately USD 5.7 million for the benefit of the Duvalier clan, which the Federal Criminal Court deems to be a criminal organisation. At the same time, the Federal Council has instructed the FDFA to complete by the end of the month its work on drafting a federal law that would ultimately allow such assets to be confiscated, and to submit the draft law for consultation.
26.01.2010
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Press releases
EDA
The Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, LI Keqiang, today opened celebrations for the ‘60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and China’ with an official working visit. He was received at the Lohn Country Residence in Kehrsatz by President Doris Leuthard, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (FDEA), and Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). The talks addressed bilateral relations in general, economic relations, political dialogue as well as the financial crisis.
26.01.2010
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Press releases
EDA
On Tuesday, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey met the Foreign Minister of Singapore, George Yeo, in Bern for talks. In addition to a discussion on bilateral relations, the agenda of the meeting included international issues such as co-operation within the United Nations and the OECD, as well as other questions concerning global governance.
21.01.2010
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Press releases
EDA
On 21 January 2010, the Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, received the Croatian Foreign Minister, Gordan Jandroković, for a working visit. The talks covered issues including bilateral and international relations, Croatia’s EU prospects, and Switzerland’s chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. In addition, two treaties were signed.
21.01.2010
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Press releases
EDA
A team from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) was already on its way to Haiti within 10 hours after the devastating earthquake struck on 12 January. In the capital, Port-au-Prince, its first task was to reinforce the experts at the SDC Programme Office. In the meantime, the team in Haiti and the Dominican Republic has been expanded to more than 50 members.
18.01.2010
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Press releases
EDA
Switzerland weclomes the moratorium on capital punishment announced by the Mongolian President Elbegdorj on 14 January 2010.
17.01.2010
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers, was in Georgia on 16 and 17 January for discussions with representatives of the authorities, political parties and civil society. Her main purpose was to obtain first-hand information about the progress of reforms and the consequences of the August 2008 conflict. Mrs Calmy-Rey expressed satisfaction with these constructive discussions and noted that, while reforms had made progress, the work started needed to be continued. She assured Georgia of the Council of Europe’s continuing support.
17.01.2010
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Press releases
EDA
Swiss Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), met with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow for talks on Sunday. The two Ministers discussed bilateral and international topics including Switzerland’s representation of Georgian and Russian interests in the framework of its protection mandates and questions relating to Switzerland’s Chairmanship of the Council of Europe.
13.01.2010
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Press releases
EDA
Switzerland has decided to deploy immediately to Haiti an emergency rapid deployment team of 18 persons. Humanitarian aid shipments are also in preparation.
13.01.2010
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Press releases
EDA
President Doris Leuthard today greeted representatives of the diplomatic corps in Switzerland at the traditional New Year’s reception at the Federal Palace.
12.01.2010
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor and head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Micheline Calmy-Rey will travel to Ljubljana on Friday for a bilateral meeting with the Slovenian Foreign Minister Samuel Zbogar. On Saturday and Sunday she will hold talks in Tiflis in her capacity as president of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. She will have a working meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Sunday.
30.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has received the Brazilian foreign minister, Mauro Vieira, in Solothurn. Political and economic relations and collaboration in the fields of sustainability, science and multilateral forums were at the heart of the discussions. The Brazilian minister's Swiss origins were also discussed.
27.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
On Sunday 28 April, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will travel to Saudi Arabia for a World Economic Forum special meeting. In his capacity as head of the FDFA, Mr Cassis was invited by his Saudi counterpart to attend the two-day event which aims to bridge the growing North-South divide by promoting global collaboration.
25.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
On 24 April 2024, the UN General Assembly approved funding for an independent institution to investigate cases of missing persons in Syria, to be based in Geneva. As part of its peace policy, Switzerland is firmly committed to clarifying the fate of detained and missing persons. In doing so, it is making a significant contribution to dealing with the past, which is central to peace processes – including in Syria. Switzerland therefore welcomes the international community's decision for the institution to begin its work in International Geneva in 2024.
25.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
The r4d programme of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) came to a close today at a public event in Bern. The two institutions also took the opportunity to launch a new programme called Solution-oriented Research for Development (SOR4D). The two programmes involve the implementation of projects in the fields of health, food security, social conflicts, ecosystems, employment and income in developing countries.
24.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 24 April 2024, the Federal Council decided to proceed with the planned use of CHF 56 million of humanitarian funding earmarked for the Middle East. The FDFA has been instructed to consult with the foreign affairs committees on this matter. A decision on the disbursement of the Swiss contribution to UNRWA will be made at a later date.
23.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, received Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg in Bern today. Their discussions focused on the close bilateral relations between the two countries, Switzerland's European policy, current international affairs and the security situation. Both ministers reaffirmed their joint commitment to promoting global peace.
18.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
On 17–18 April, representatives from more than 50 countries and organisations gathered at an international workshop in Kyiv to discuss measures for identifying and clearing mines and unexploded ordnance in Ukraine. Good coordination of national activities and international support is crucial to ensure that this work can progress swiftly and effectively. The workshop was co-organised by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). Switzerland, whose delegation at the conference was led by Ambassador Simon Geissbühler, has a long history of supporting humanitarian demining through the GICHD and other organisations. Clearing the country of mines is a key prerequisite for Ukraine's recovery.
18.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Palestine's application for full UN membership will not be submitted to the UN General Assembly due to the veto by the United States on 18 April in the UN Security Council. Switzerland abstained from the vote. After assessing the situation and consulting with the chairs of the parliamentary foreign affairs committees, the Federal Council concluded that granting Palestine full UN membership at this time would not be conducive to easing the situation and peace efforts in the Middle East. Switzerland remains committed to the two-state solution.
17.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
State Secretary Alexandre Fasel received a US delegation for political consultations in Bern on 17 April. The delegation was led by Assistant Secretary James O'Brien, who is in charge of European and Eurasian affairs at the US Department of State. On the agenda were the many ongoing or recently concluded bilateral negotiations, particularly in the area of taxation, which are concrete examples of the dynamism of bilateral relations.
15.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
At the international donors' conference on 15 April 2024 in Paris, Switzerland pledged CHF 19 million to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Sudan. As a result of the ongoing hostilities over the past year, the country is experiencing one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our time. To date, 8.6 million people have been displaced, and the country is on the brink of a devastating famine. From the beginning of the crisis, Switzerland has been actively engaged at multiple levels to help end the conflict and improve the situation on the ground.
12.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis paid an official visit to Croatia today. He was received by his counterpart, Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman. The meeting focused on bilateral relations, Swiss–EU relations and the geopolitical context.
12.04.2024 —
Press releases
EDA
The third International Cooperation Forum (IC Forum) concluded today in Basel. Over 1,000 representatives from politics, business, science, and civil society gathered alongside President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd, FDFA head Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, and Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde to discuss the theme of peace promotion. Discussions centred on three core values: critical dialogue, trust, and innovation, all aimed at finding new pathways for tangible and sustainable progress. A highlight of the 2024 forum was the Swiss IC Awards, recognising innovative peace-building projects by Swiss companies.
24.11.2022 —
Article
EDA
Approximately 780,000 Swiss citizens abroad currently benefit from the wide range of services provided by a global network of representations offering advice and support. The FDFA Helpline is also on hand to answer queries 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Now there's a new app that makes staying in touch even easier: SwissInTouch keeps Switzerland at your fingertips.
29.01.2022 —
EDA
Allocution du président de la Confédération Ignazio Cassis, chef du Département fédéral des affaires étrangères, à l’occasion du 150e anniversaire du passage de la frontière de l’armée du général Bourbaki - Check against delivery.
21.05.2021 —
EDA
Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), on the occasion of the 131st (virtual) Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Check against delivery.
04.09.2020 —
EDA
Camorino, 04.09.2020 - Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the Inauguration Ceremony "Ceneri2020" - Check against delivery
25.08.2020 —
EDA
Bern, 25.08.2020: Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the retirement of the ambassadors and the welcoming of the young diplomats who are taking up their posts in the service of the FDFA. Check against delivery.
26.06.2020 —
EDA
Geneva, 26.06.2020: Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the 75th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter - Check against delivery
29.01.2020 —
DEZA
The FDFA has showcased some innovative technology at the 50th WEF, which could reduce global CO2 emissions by millions of tonnes per year. The SDC undertakes a range of projects in the construction industry, working in cooperation with academia and the private sector. The aim of these projects, which are located in emerging economies, is to tackle global warming effectively.
17.01.2020 —
Article
EDA
Just what is the perfect trip abroad? And where would it take you? Swiss travellers have different needs and expectations – some prefer to go on their own, others would rather choose an organised tour. It doesn't matter if you're a backpacker or a jet-setter: the FDFA provides a wide range of services for anyone who wants to travel abroad.
14.01.2020 —
Article
DEZA
Honeyland has been nominated for an Oscar in the categories Best International Feature Film and Best Documentary. The film’s hero, Hatidze Muratova, champions environmental protection and the sustainable management of natural resources. She was discovered through the Nature Conservation Programme launched by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
20.12.2019 —
EDA
At its meeting on 20 December 2019, the Federal Council approved an exchange of notes between Switzerland and Italy regarding the change of the customs status of the Italian enclave of Campione d'Italia. This exchange of notes is necessary to ensure legal certainty and facilitates the transition of Campione d'Italia into the European Union's customs territory, scheduled for 1 January 2020.
19.12.2019 —
EDA
On 16 and 17 December 2019 a third meeting of the Working Group on Unresolved Issues established by the Joint Committee, supervising the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation on the basic principles for a mechanism of customs administration and monitoring of trade in goods, signed on 9 November 2011, took place in Bern.