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Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Conference: global security and bilateral relations at centre of talks

11.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 10 and 11 July, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Malaysia. His participation underlines South East Asia's growing economic importance to Switzerland. Mr Cassis used the platform to discuss economic ties, bilateral relations and global challenges with his counterparts from Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore. For the first time, he also met the new Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand on the margins of the conference.

Victims of National Socialism: Call for proposals to design the memorial in Bern

11.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
In April 2023, the Federal Council decided to establish a memorial in the centre of Bern for the victims of National Socialism. The Federal Council considers it vital to keep alive the memory of the consequences of National Socialism, as well as the fate of the six million Jews and all other victims of the Nazi regime. On the recommendation of the communal parliament of the City of Bern, the Casinoterrasse near the Federal Parliament was selected as the location for the site of remembrance. A call is now being organised to gather proposals for the its creation from multidisciplinary teams in the fields of art, architecture and history.

Switzerland reaffirms its commitment to reconstruction at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome

11.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
The Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) has been held since 2022 to coordinate reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. At this year's conference, which took place in Rome from 10 to 11 July, the head of the Swiss delegation, Jacques Gerber, signed an international treaty with Ukraine. This forms the legal basis for increased cooperation with the Swiss private sector in reconstruction. Projects in the areas of health, education and war risk insurance were also approved.

Strengthening economic ties is focus of talks by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in Nepal and Bhutan

09.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visited Nepal and Bhutan during his week-long trip to Asia from 7 to 9 July. The official talks with government representatives centred on bilateral relations and opportunities for deeper economic cooperation.

Les droits des femmes et la non-discrimination au cœur du travail de la Suisse pendant la 59e session du Conseil des droits de l’homme.

08.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Dans un contexte global marqué par le recul de l’Etat de droit, la Suisse travaille avec détermination en faveur des droits de l’homme. Pour cette 59ème session du Conseil des droits de l’homme (CDH) des Nations Unies, un accent particulier a été placé sur la promotion des droits des femmes et de l’égalité de genre, ainsi que sur les droits des personnes LGBT. La session, qui s'est clôturée aujourd’hui après trois semaines et demie de débats, a été marquée par une adaptation du travail imposée par les restrictions budgétaires affectant l’ensemble du système onusien.

Switzerland reopens its embassy in Iran – ambassador returns to Tehran

06.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
As of today, 6 July 2025, the Swiss embassy in Tehran is open again after having temporarily closed on 20 June due to the unstable situation in Iran. Ambassador Nadine Olivieri Lozano and a small team returned to Tehran yesterday overland via Azerbaijan. The embassy will gradually resume operations.

Ignazio Cassis in Asia for ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and bilateral talks

03.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, will be travelling to Asia from 7 to 13 July 2025. He will attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. His participation highlights the growing economic and geopolitical importance of the South East Asian states. Official working visits to Nepal, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore are also planned around the conference.

Presentation of credentials

02.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present their credentials

FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel in Germany for political consultations

01.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Alexandre Fasel, the state secretary of the FDFA, was in Berlin on 1 July 2025 to hold political consultations with his German counterpart, the state secretary of the Federal Foreign Office, Géza Andreas von Geyr. Talks focused on current geopolitical developments, bilateral issues and the opening of the consultation procedure in Switzerland on the agreements in the new Swiss-EU package. Mr Fasel also met with the state secretary of Germany's Federal Chancellery, Jörg Semmler.

Switzerland attends 4th International Conference on Financing for Development

30.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland will be participating in the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, Spain, from 30 June to 3 July 2025. Organised under the auspices of the United Nations, this global event aims to address financing challenges in order to help achieve the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals. The conference will cover a wide range of issues relating to development policy, environmental, economic and social sustainability, and macroeconomics. The Swiss delegation is being led by Patricia Danzi, director general of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Karin Keller-Sutter to meet Emmanuel Macron in Paris

27.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Karin Keller-Sutter, is to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Tuesday, 1 July. The geopolitical situation and security issues will be at the centre of their discussions. Also on the agenda are bilateral relations between Switzerland and France, European policy and competitiveness.

Switzerland to host a global summit on artificial intelligence in 2027

25.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 25 June 2025, the Federal Council expressed its intention to host an artificial intelligence (AI) summit in Geneva in 2027.

Media (3504)

Switzerland demands an action plan on nuclear disarmament

04.05.2010 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland calls on the signatories of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to adopt an action plan on nuclear disarmament. Furthermore, nuclear weapons should generally no longer be considered legitimate.

Minister of Foreign Affairs to attend Non Proliferation Treaty Conference

30.04.2010 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), is to attend the high-level meetings of 3-4 May opening the 8th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in New York.

Expert meeting on the return of the illicit assets of politically exposed persons to the countries of origin

30.04.2010 — Press releases EDA
From 28.-30.04.2010 in Lausanne, over 40 government experts from 25 countries discussed the problems of returning the illicitly acquired assets of politically exposed persons to the countries of origin. The seminar was organised by Switzerland in conjunction with the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (StAR) which is co-financed by the UN and the World Bank. StAR will publish the seminar findings in a conference journal.

The Federal Council presents a draft law on the restitution of illicit assets to the two chambers of parliament

28.04.2010 — Press releases EDA
Following the consultation procedure which opened on 24 February 2010, the Federal Council decided today to present to the two chambers of parliament a draft law on the restitution of the illicit assets of politically exposed persons (PEPs). The vast majority of participants in the consultation procedure welcomed the draft law, which underlines Switzerland's global pioneering role in the restitution of illicitly acquired assets.

Democracy and Decentralisation

27.04.2010 — Press releases EDA
On 3 and 4 May 2010, the University of St. Gallen’s Executive Campus will host the International Conference on Democracy and Decentralisation. The conference takes place under the patronage of the Swiss Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The first day of the Conference will be open to the general public.

Human rights dialogue between Switzerland and Vietnam

25.04.2010 — Press releases EDA
A Vietnamese delegation visited Bern from 22 to 24 April for the eighth round of dialogue on human rights and international organisations. The talks focused on legal issues, the protection of minority rights, freedom of religion and the rights of women, as well as international human rights questions.

Visit by Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey to Sarajevo for the Council of Europe

23.04.2010 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, Chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, held talks with representatives of the authorities and of political parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 22 April. The main purpose of the talks was to identify and to discuss ways of bringing the constitutional and legal framework of Bosnia-Herzegovina into line with its commitments and obligations as a member of the Council of Europe.

IMF and World Bank Group 2010 Spring Meetings

22.04.2010 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Hans-Rudolf Merz as head of the Swiss delegation, Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard and Philipp Hildebrand, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), will take part in the joint Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Washington from 24 to 25 April 2010. The most important topics of discussion in the meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) will be the exit strategies from the extraordinary support measures and the strengthening of the mandate and the governance structure of the IMF. The focus of the discussions in the Development Committee (DC) will be the strategy of the World Bank, the current governance reforms and the progress on achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Switzerland ratifies the United Nations Convention on Jurisdictional Immunities of States and Their Property

16.04.2010 — Press releases EDA
Today, Switzerland has ratified the United Nations Convention of 2 December 2004 on Jurisdictional Immunities of States and Their Property. It is the ninth State to ratify the Convention which, once it enters into force, will contribute to enhancing legal certainty in the area of immunities both for foreign States in Switzerland and for Switzerland abroad.

Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina on behalf of the Council of Europe

16.04.2010 — Press releases EDA
In her capacity as President of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Micheline Calmy-Rey will travel to Sarajevo on Monday 19 April 2010 for a series of talks.

Switzerland condemns the execution of two Palestinians in a Gaza prison

16.04.2010 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland strongly condemns the execution of two Palestinians accused of collaboration. The execution took place on 15 April 2010 in a prison in Gaza on the orders of the Gaza authorities.

Signing of an agreement on nuclear disarmament between the United States and Russia

08.04.2010 — Press releases EDA
The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) welcomes the signing in Prague today of a new agreement on reducing strategic nuclear weapons by the United States and the Russian Federation.

Other news (151)

SwissInTouch, Switzerland in your pocket

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.

Speech - 150e anniversaire du passage de la frontière de l’armée du général Bourbaki

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.

"Digitalisation - an opportunity for Europe's democratic values"

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.

Official opening of the Ceneri Base Tunnel

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

Passaggio di testimone tra generazioni (de-fr-it)

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.

75 years of the United Nations (fr)

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

Opening of the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council (fr)

24.02.2020 — EDA
Geneva, 24.02.2020 - Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis - Check against delivery

Discover the world with the FDFA and with peace mind

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.

Switzerland and Italy reach an agreement on Campione d'Italia

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.

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

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.

First Global Refugee Forum in Geneva brings together actors committed to finding shared solutions

17.12.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has opened the Global Refugee Forum together with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. The purpose of the forum, which takes place on 17 and 18 December at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, is to find shared solutions to meet the needs of refugees and their host communities.

Federal Council extends freeze on assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine

13.12.2019 — EDA
On 13 December 2019, the Federal Council decided to extend for one year the preventive freeze on the assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine. The purpose of this decision is to support the judicial cooperation between Switzerland and these two states.

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