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Ignazio Cassis meets with officials of Cantons of Ticino and Graubünden in heart of Switzerland

06.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
A trilateral meeting between Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, and the State Councils of Ticino and Graubünden took place today in Schwyz, as part of the regular policy dialogue established with the two Cantons of Italian- and Romansch-speaking Switzerland. Mr Cassis chose a symbolic location, in the heart of Switzerland, for this exchange. Discussions focused on topics of common interest, in particular cross-border relations and the promotion of multilingualism, as well as on the situation in the Mesolcina and Alta Vallemaggia, where the weather caused major damage this summer.

Marianne Jenni appointed new director general of the FDFA's consular directorate

04.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
Bern, 04.09.2024 – At its meeting on 4 September 2024, the Federal Council appointed Marianne Jenni as the new director general of the FDFA's Consular Directorate (CD). Marianne Jenni, currently serving as the Swiss ambassador to Ecuador, will assume her new post on 1 January 2025. She succeeds David Grichting, who was appointed director general of the FDFA's Directorate for Resources in early June 2024.

Jacques Gerber appointed Federal Council Delegate for Ukraine

04.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
Bern, 04.09.2024 – At its meeting on 4 September 2024, the Federal Council appointed Jacques Gerber to act as Federal Council Delegate for Ukraine. Mr Gerber, who is currently councillor of state for the canton of Jura, will carry out preparatory work for and manage the Federal Council's consolidated 'Ukraine country programme'. The 51-year-old will take up his new post on 1 January 2025.

Swiss embassy in Baghdad reopens

03.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland reopened its embassy in Iraq today, 33 years after closing its previous representation due to the 1991 Gulf War. By reopening the embassy, the Federal Council aims to strengthen bilateral relations with the populous country and deepen cooperation in economic, security and migration matters. This move also fulfils an objective of the Federal Council's MENA Strategy 2021–24.

Presentation of credentials

03.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present credentials

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis commemorates 75 years of the Geneva Conventions

26.08.2024 — Press releases EDA
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis was in Geneva on Monday to mark the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions. After opening a panel discussion in the presence of the members of the Security Council invited to the United Nations’ Geneva headquarters, the Federal Councillor took part in a symbolic moment on the Place des Nations. Ignazio Cassis called on States and all international actors to renew their commitment to international humanitarian law and to make the Geneva Conventions a political priority.

Switzerland working to improve situation in Sudan

23.08.2024 — Press releases EDA
Civil war has been raging in Sudan since April 2023, ravaging the civilian population and spawning one of the world's largest humanitarian crises. As part of its good offices, Switzerland is providing a platform for diplomatic talks on a way out of the crisis.

UN Security Council members to visit Geneva

20.08.2024 — Press releases EDA
At Switzerland's invitation, members of the UN Security Council will visit Geneva on 25 and 26 August 2024. On 26 August, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will participate in an exchange between the members of the Security Council together with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone, currently President of the Council, which will focus on respecting and strengthening international humanitarian law 75 years after the adoption of the Geneva Conventions. The visit will also showcase the expertise of International Geneva in the prevention of emerging threats to peace and security.

Ignazio Cassis meets Italy's foreign affairs minister Antonio Tajani, with whom he attends Locarno Film Festival

12.08.2024 — Press releases EDA
Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani paid an official visit to Switzerland today, where he met with the head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis. On the Brissago Islands, they discussed bilateral relations and international affairs. The two ministers then attended the traditional Diplomacy Day, an event promoted by the Locarno Film Festival, which this year enjoys the support of the Italian embassy in Switzerland.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to visit Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games

26.07.2024 — Press releases EDA
Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, will be in Paris from 30 to 31 July 2024 to attend the Olympic Games and meet the Swiss delegation. He will also visit the Maison Suisse, where he will meet members of the Swiss community living in France. Mr Cassis' visit underscores the Confederation's commitment to promoting cooperation and Switzerland's image at the Games.

State Secretary Alexandre Fasel concludes tour of South East Asia

26.07.2024 — Press releases EDA
The visit, which lasted from 22 to 26 July, saw Mr Fasel meet with a number of counterparts and high-level representatives of countries in the region, including Singapore, Vietnam and Laos. It also aimed to strengthen Switzerland’s ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Head of Directorate of International Law signs agreement on legal status of NATO liaison office in Geneva

15.07.2024 — Press releases EDA
NATO is opening a multilateral liaison office in Geneva to engage with the international and non-governmental organisations based there. In Bern today, the director general of the Directorate of International Law at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Franz Perrez, and John Swords, the legal adviser and director of the NATO Office of Legal Affairs, signed an agreement governing the office's legal status.

Media (3344)

Ignazio Cassis meets with officials of Cantons of Ticino and Graubünden in heart of Switzerland

Marianne Jenni appointed new director general of the FDFA's consular directorate

Jacques Gerber appointed Federal Council Delegate for Ukraine

Swiss embassy in Baghdad reopens

Presentation of credentials

03.09.2024 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present credentials

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis commemorates 75 years of the Geneva Conventions

Switzerland working to improve situation in Sudan

UN Security Council members to visit Geneva

Ignazio Cassis meets Italy's foreign affairs minister Antonio Tajani, with whom he attends Locarno Film Festival

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to visit Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games

State Secretary Alexandre Fasel concludes tour of South East Asia

Head of Directorate of International Law signs agreement on legal status of NATO liaison office in Geneva

Other news (300)

Guy Parmelin and Ignazio Cassis receive heads of government of the International Lake Constance Conference

21.11.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillors Guy Parmelin and Ignazio Cassis held talks with the heads of government of the International Lake Constance Conference in Bern on 21 November. Talks focused on cross-border cooperation in the Lake Constance area, the New Regional Policy of the Federal Government and Switzerland's European policy.

Switzerland elected to the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

20.11.2019 — EDA
UNESCO strives to promote peace and sustainable development through international cooperation in education, science, culture and media development. UNESCO's General Conference has now elected Switzerland to the organisation's Executive Board for 2019–23. The new Executive Board's mandate will include drafting UNESCO's next medium-term strategy for 2022–29.

Federal Council expands cooperation with the UN on military peace support training

20.11.2019 — EDA
At its meeting on 20 November 2019, the Federal Council approved an agreement between Switzerland and the UN on training cooperation in the context of international peace support. The agreement will provide a legal framework for closer longer-term cooperation between Switzerland and the UN in the training sector.

30 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets two school classes on the occasion

20.11.2019 — EDA
The right to education, protection, play and leisure – children have certain rights that, alongside their general welfare, states are obliged to guarantee. These obligations are enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was adopted 30 years ago today. To mark the occasion, Mr Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, opened the doors of the Federal Palace in Bern to two school classes from the canton of Ticino.

US statements on Israeli settlements: Switzerland’s statement

19.11.2019 — EDA
Following yesterday's American statements on Israeli settlements, Switzerland confirms its position.

The Federal Council concludes an agreement on privileges and immunities with the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers’ Association

18.11.2019 — EDA
On 18 November 2019 Switzerland and the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers’ Association (ICoCA) signed an agreement on the privileges and immunities accorded to the association in Switzerland. ICoCA plays a major role in ensuring compliance with the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers and in promoting the responsible provision of security services.

Zukunftstag 2019: Was die jungen Gäste im EDA beeindruckte (de/fr/it)

14.11.2019 — EDA
Rund 90 Kinder und Jugendliche haben am Zukunftstag 2019 ihren Eltern oder Bekannten bei der Arbeit im Eidgenössischen Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA über die Schulter und hinter die Kulissen des Departements geschaut. Generalsekretär Markus Seiler zeigte den jungen Gästen das Bundesratszimmer sowie das Büro von Bundesrat Ignazio Cassis, der sich an diesem Tag in Paris befand. An verschiedenen Workshops konnten die Kinder und Jugendlichen verschiedene Aspekte aus der Arbeit des EDA vertieft kennenlernen und eine Medienmitteilung schreiben.

UNESCO General Conference (fr)

14.11.2019 — EDA
Paris, 14.11.2019 – Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis – Check against delivery

UNESCO General Conference: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis advocates Executive Board seat for Switzerland

14.11.2019 — EDA
Speaking at the UNESCO General Conference in Paris, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis called for minorities to be respected, pointing out that this is essential to democratic processes. He also said that Switzerland supports the reform proposals intended to enhance the organisation’s effectiveness and explained the strengths Switzerland can bring to the UNESCO Executive Board. Switzerland is campaigning to gain a seat on the Executive Board in the election on 20 November 2019.

Linking of the Swiss and EU emissions trading systems: Federal Council approves revision of the CO2 Ordinance

13.11.2019 — EDA
At its meeting on 13 November 2019, the Federal Council approved the revised Ordinance on the Reduction of CO2 Emissions. This, together with the amendment to the CO2 Act adopted in March 2019 and the agreement with the EU, will enter into force on 1 January 2020. From 2020, emissions from civil aviation and fossil fuel power stations will also be included in the Swiss ETS, as is already the case in the EU. Linking the two schemes allows companies in the Swiss ETS to trade emission allowances in the larger EU emissions market.

Education, environment and protection of minorities – Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travels to UNESCO General Conference in Paris

12.11.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will represent Switzerland at the UNESCO General Conference on 14 November 2019. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) will call for respect for minorities, which is a key element of the democratic process. New members of the UNESCO Executive Board will also be elected during the three-week session. Switzerland – one of the candidates – is one of the biggest contributors to UNESCO measured by population.

Escalation of violence between Israel and Gaza – statement by the FDFA

12.11.2019 — EDA
The FDFA is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East and calls on all parties to restore calm immediately.

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