Optimierung Flankierende Massnahmen: Schulung für Vollzugsorgane

09.10.2014 — Press releases Europa
Am 9. Oktober 2014 fand in Gordola im Kanton Tessin eine Schulung für Vollzugsorgane der Flankierenden Massnahmen (FlaM) statt. Bundesrat Johann N. Schneider-Ammann sicherte den Vollzugsorganen im Rahmen der Veranstaltung Unterstützung zu. Regierungsrat Paolo Beltraminelli überbrachte die Grussworte der Tessiner Regierung.

Federal Council presents concept for implementing the new article on immigration

20.06.2014 — Press releases Europa
On Friday, the Federal Council approved the concept for implementing the new article of the Federal Constitution on immigration. The concept outlines how the Federal Council will set the quantitative limits and quotas for controlling migration to Switzerland from February 2017. The Federal Council will base its decision not only on the needs reported by the cantons, but also on the analyses of an advisory committee. Social partners will also be consulted. Quotas will apply to all types of permit valid for four months or more. To meet the needs of the labour market, it is planned to foster and exploit the potential of the workforce already available in Switzerland. The proposals are set out in the Federal Council's concept for implementing the new provisions of the Constitution on immigration. In the concept, which it approved on Friday, the Federal Council lays down important benchmarks for the draft legislation due to follow at the end of year.

Flankierende Massnahmen: ein verstärktes und wirksames Instrumentarium

05.05.2014 — Press releases Europa
Die Kontrolltätigkeit der Vollzugsorgane hat 2013 erneut zugenommen. Insgesamt haben die tripartiten und paritätischen Kommissionen die Lohn- und Arbeitsbedingungen bei über 40'000 Betrieben und 158'000 Personen kontrolliert. Dank verschiedener Verbesserungen auf Gesetzesebene und der Professionalisierung der Kontrollorgane können Lohnunterbietungen nun noch gezielter und effizienter bekämpft werden. Gleichzeitig mit dem Bericht über die Umsetzung der flankierenden Massnahmen hat das SECO am 5. Mai 2014 eine Standortbestimmung betreffend Gesamtarbeitsverträge veröffentlicht.

The Federal Council takes steps to re-launch discussions with the EU on Switzerland’s participation in EU programmes and market access

30.04.2014 — Press releases Europa
The Federal Council wishes to re-launch negotiations and discussions on Switzerland’s participation in framework programmes and market access. To that end it approved a declaration envisaging a number of measures. These include a solution to the admission under quotas of Croatian citizens to the Swiss labour market. In addition, the Federal Council confirmed the enlargement contribution for Croatia.

New system for immigration: Federal Council discusses next steps

26.03.2014 — Press releases Europa
On Wednesday, the Federal Council discussed next steps with regard to the various EU-policy dossiers, following the adoption of the "against mass immigration" initiative. It has mandated the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) to enter into consultations with the European Union, in cooperation with the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) and in agreement with other departments concerned. In particular clarification must be obtained on how discrimination against Croatia can be avoided.

Cross-border Commuter Statistics in 4th quarter 2013 – Rise in number of cross-border commuters continues

03.03.2014 — Press releases Europa

Neuchâtel, According to the Cross-border Commuter Statistics of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the number of foreign nationals crossing the border to work in Switzerland rose by 3.8% during 2013. More than half of the cross-border workforce lives in France (52.4%). Approximately a quarter lives in Italy (23.7%) and a fifth in Germany (20.5%). The cross-border workforce still tends to work in lower-skilled jobs.

Change in immigration system: Yes to popular initiative aimed at stopping mass immigration

09.02.2014 — Press releases Europa
The Swiss population has adopted a popular initiative aimed at stopping mass immigration. This brings with it a change of system in Switzerland’s immigration policy. The new constitutional provisions require that immigration be restricted by means of quantitative limits and quotas. The Federal Council will set to work on implementing these without delay.

Working visit of Federal Councillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf to Greece

04.02.2014 — Press releases Europa

Bern, 04.02.2014 - Federal Councillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, Head of the Federal Department of Finance (FDF), paid a working visit to Athens today, where the focus was on talks with the Greek Finance Minister, Yannis Stournaras.

Zuwanderung: Effekte der Standortförderung gering und überwiegend im ländlichen Raum

19.12.2013 — Press releases Europa
Der Bericht "Standortförderung und Zuwanderung" im Auftrag des Staatssekretariats für Wirtschaft (SECO) analysiert die Wirkungszusammenhänge zwischen den Standortförderungsmassnahmen des Bundes und der Zuwanderung. Die Studie von Ecoplan untersucht insbesondere die Standortpromotion, Steuererleichterungen im Rahmen der Regionalpolitik und die Förderung der Beherbergungswirtschaft. In dem die Standortförderung zum Erhalt und zur Schaffung von Arbeitsplätzen beiträgt, wird auch eine leicht erhöhte Zuwanderung von rund vier Prozent ausgelöst. Rund drei Viertel des Zuwanderungseffektes entfallen auf ländliche oder strukturschwache Gebiete abseits der Ballungszentren. Weiter kommt die Studie zum Schluss, dass geförderte Unternehmen ihr Personal nicht wesentlich stärker im Ausland rekrutieren als übrige Unternehmen.

Federal Council recommends rejection of the "Stop mass immigration" Initiative

25.11.2013 — Press releases Europa

Bern, The Federal Council recommends the rejection of the "Stop mass immigration” Initiative, which is being put to a popular vote on 9 February 2014. The initiative calls for quotas for all foreign nationals. This would be a reversal of the current proven system of admission and would make it difficult for businesses to recruit the staff they require from abroad. Furthermore, it would jeopardise the bilateral agreements and consequently relations with the European Union.

Flankierende Massnahmen: Informationsveranstaltung zur Verbesserung der Umsetzung

14.11.2013 — Press releases Europa
Vertreter der Interessengemeinschaft der paritätischen Berufskommissionen, der Kantone und des Bundes haben am 14. November 2013 im Rahmen einer gemeinsam durchgeführten Veranstaltung über die Massnahmen zur Verbesserung des Vollzugs der flankierenden Massnahmen (FlaM) informiert. Bundesrat Johann N. Schneider-Ammann und der Berner Volkswirtschaftsdirektor Regierungsrat Andreas Rickenbacher verschafften sich einen persönlichen Eindruck von den Verbesserungen und sicherten den Vollzugsorganen ihre Unterstützung zu.

Federal Council rejects Ecopop Initiative

23.10.2013 — Press releases Europa

The information was corrected or amended after publication. (31.03.2014)

Bern, 23.10.2013 - The Federal Council has issued a dispatch on the federal popular initiative entitled ‘Stop overpopulation – safeguard our natural environment’. Parliament is requested to put the initiative to the vote among the electorate and cantons, with the recommendation to reject the proposal. Furthermore, no direct counter-proposal to the initiative is made. When it presented its discussion paper on 29 May 2013, the Federal Council was already of the opinion that the objectives and content of the initiative could not be reconciled either with Switzerland’s current immigration policy nor with Swiss practice in international development cooperation.

23rd meeting of the Swiss-EU Joint Committee on Free Movement

22.10.2020 — Press releases Europa
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the 23rd meeting of the Swiss – EU Joint Committee on the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP) was held today by video conference. The delegations from Switzerland and from the European Union and its member states discussed various matters relating to the AFMP’s application and development. The two partners stressed the importance of their close cooperation in managing the public health crisis.

Coronavirus: Restrictions on entry to be gradually relaxed from 11 May

29.04.2020 — Press releases Europa
The Federal Council plans to gradually relax the restrictions on entry imposed as a result of the coronavirus crisis in step with the gradual reopening of the economy. From 11 May onwards, applications submitted by workers from the EU/EFTA and third countries before 25 March will be processed (the backlog will be reduced). From this date, it should also be possible for family members of Swiss citizens and EU citizens to enter Switzerland. Border controls, however, will remain in place. The Federal Council has tasked the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) with preparing these measures to ease the lockdown.

Close, dynamic relations between Switzerland and Croatia

08.07.2019 — Press releases Europa
Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović paid an official visit to Switzerland on Monday, 8 July. Relations between the two countries are good and this is reflected in the fact that around 30,000 Croatian nationals live in Switzerland and that some 300,000 Swiss tourists visit Croatia every year. Croatia is also Switzerland’s second most important trade partner in southeast Europe; last year, the volume of bilateral trade reached an all-time high. The visit by President Grabar-Kitarović took place prior to Croatia assuming the EU Council presidency for the first time.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian pays official visit to Switzerland

24.08.2018 — Press releases Europa
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met France's Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian on 24 August 2018 for an official working visit to Bern, during which the two officials discussed European issues and topics of international concern. In the margins of the meeting, Foreign Minister Le Drian confirmed that President Macron would receive the President of the Confederation, Alain Berset, in Paris on 12 September 2018 for a working meeting.

Bekämpfung von Lohndruck und Schwarzarbeit

12.06.2018 — Press releases Europa
Die flankierenden Massnahmen sind seit 15 und das Bundesgesetz gegen die Schwarzarbeit ist seit 10 Jahren in Kraft. Der Bericht über die Umsetzung der flankierenden Massnahmen zum freien Personenverkehr Schweiz – Europäische Union und der Bericht über den Vollzug des Bundesgesetzes gegen die Schwarzarbeit zeigen, dass die Kontrolldichte im Jahr 2017 hoch war. Lohnunterbietungen und Schwarzarbeit wurden effektiv bekämpft. Die Kontrollen erfolgten dort, wo das Risiko von Verstössen am höchsten war.

Switzerland and Portugal to work together more closely on digitalisation

28.11.2017 — Press releases Europa

Switzerland and Portugal reaffirmed their close ties during President Doris Leuthard’s visit to Lisbon and defined areas in which cooperation could be further intensified, with the priority on digitalisation. The main topics of discussion during the official talks on Tuesday, 28 November, were European policy, economic relations and cooperation on education and research.

Cross-border Commuter Statistics for 4th quarter 2016 - Increase in the number of commuters

23.02.2017 — Press releases Europa

Neuchâtel, (FSO) – The number of foreign cross-border commuters working in Switzerland increased by 11,300 persons (+3.7%) in 2016. Just over half of the cross-border commuters (54.9%) were resident in France, around a quarter (22.6%) were resident in Italy and a fifth in Germany (19.3%). In Ticino, the proportion of commuters out of all employed persons was highest at 27.1%. These are the findings of the Cross-border Commuter Statistics, conducted by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) on a quarterly basis.    

Federal Council decides on basic parameters for counter-proposal to Rasa initiative

21.12.2016 — Press releases Europa
In October, the Federal Council decided to submit a direct counter-proposal to the Rasa initiative. At its meeting on 21 December 2016, it resolved to draw up two versions of a counter-proposal for consultation and determined the basic parameters for the contents of both versions.

Visit by the President of the Swiss Confederation to Kuwait underlines intensification of relations

28.11.2016 — Press releases Europa

Bern, - On Monday, 28 November, President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann was received for a state visit by Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s head of state. The visit by the Swiss president forms part of an intensified series of diplomatic visits to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Kuwait which began in 1966. The official talks focused on bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries at international level. At the weekend, the president attended the Francophonie Summit in Madagascar where he also met with a number of heads of state on the fringes of the conference, including French President François Hollande.        

Polish President Andrzej Duda pays official visit to Switzerland

14.11.2016 — Press releases Europa
On Monday, 14 November, President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann received Polish President Andrzej Duda in Bern for an official visit. The official talks, attended by two further members of the Federal Council, focused on bilateral relations and also covered European and economic policy issues. In connection with the theme of dual-track vocational education and training, the two presidents later visited a local business.

Slovak President Andrej Kiska pays official visit to Switzerland

21.10.2016 — 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.

President Schneider-Ammann meets European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker in Zurich

19.09.2016 — Press releases Europa
President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann met with the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, in Zurich on Monday to discuss the current state of relations between Switzerland and the European Union. One of the main topics was the implementation of Article 121a of the Federal Constitution on immigration. In the evening, the two presidents attended an event to mark the 70th anniversary of the historic speech on Europe given by Winston Churchill in Zurich.

New slides provide handy, up-to-date information on Switzerland’s European policy

26.11.2019 — Article Europa
Switzerland enjoys close, important and diverse relations with the European Union. They are based on the bilateral approach and influence many aspects of citizens’ lives, both in Switzerland and in the EU.

United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union

24.06.2016 — Article Europa

The electorate of the United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union in a referendum. The current regulations regarding Swiss citizens and companies will remain valid for the time being. A list of answers to frequently asked questions is available on the website of the DEA.

• FAQ Brexit
• Press Release FDFA: Brexit: FDFA Helpline offers advice for Swiss citizens

EU and Swiss regulators sign confidentiality arrangement

22.07.2015 — Article Europa

Arrangements will improve oversight of medicines for better protection of public and animal health.

Popular vote Ecopop

30.11.2014 — Article Europa

In a popular vote held on 30 November 2014, 74.1% of the Swiss people and all the cantons have rejected the popular initiative «Stop overpopulation – safeguard our natural environment» (Ecopop initiative).

French President François Hollande to pay a state visit to Switzerland in 2015

30.10.2014 — Europa
During President Didier Burkhalter’s working visit to Paris on Thursday, the French president, François Hollande, accepted the Federal Council’s invitation to pay a state visit to Switzerland. The visit will take place next year. During their discussions, the two presidents addressed the status of Basel-Mulhouse airport. Mr Burkhalter and Mr Hollande stressed the importance of the airport’s binational character for the region as a whole.