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Swiss–EU relations: Federal Council approves definitive negotiating mandate

08.03.2024 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 8 March 2024, the Federal Council approved the negotiating mandate with the EU in its definitive form. The mandate adopted takes account of the results of the consultation with the foreign affairs committees (FACs) and other interested parliamentary committees, the cantons and the views of the social and economic partners. Negotiations will begin as soon as the European Commission has adopted its own definitive mandate, expected sometime in March 2024.

Swiss President Amherd discusses bilateral relations and the European security situation at Bucharest meeting

07.03.2024 — Press releases Europa
President of the Swiss Confederation, Viola Amherd, concluded her trip to Romania by meeting with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu on Thursday, 7 March to discuss bilateral relations, European policy issues and the current security situation. On Wednesday Ms Amherd met with President Klaus Iohannis and Finance Minister Marcel Bolos. She also attended the European People’s Party Congress in Bucharest, where her meeting with Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova, also focused on security issues.

Federal Councillor Beat Jans attends the meeting of justice and home affairs ministers in Brussels

05.03.2024 — Press releases Europa
Federal Councillor Beat Jans attended the meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA Council) on 4 and 5 March in Brussels. The JHA Council is made up of the justice and home affairs ministers of all the EU member states and the four non-EU countries that are part of the Schengen agreement, of which Switzerland is one. The talks focused on combating organised crime, drug trafficking, people smuggling and irregular migration. Mr Jans, who is head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP), also took part on the fringes of the meeting in a round table discussion on cross-border data exchange and data protection.

State Secretary Hirayama attends informal meeting of EU ministers for higher education

04.03.2024 — Press releases Europa
On 29 February and 1 March, State Secretary Martina Hirayama took part in an informal meeting in Brussels of ministers for higher education in EU member states. The event focused on international mobility in higher education and how it could be better promoted in the future. Ms Hirayama also held bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Belgium, Denmark and Spain and exchanged views with representatives of the European Commission.

President Amherd to meet with Romanian heads of state and government

04.03.2024 — Press releases Europa
Viola Amherd, President of the Swiss Confederation, will visit Romania on 6 and 7 March to meet with President Klaus Iohannis and Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. Talks will focus on bilateral relations, with a particular emphasis on the second Swiss contribution, European policy and the security situation in Europe. Ms Amherd will also participate in the European People’s Party Congress in Bucharest.

Free trade agreement with Moldova: Federal Council launches approval process

21.02.2024 — Press releases Europa
On 21 February the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the free trade agreement between the EFTA countries and Moldova. The dispatch will now be referred to Parliament for approval. Moldova is the first partner country with which EFTA has agreed a comprehensive chapter on e-commerce and incorporated its new model chapter on trade and sustainable development.

State Secretary Hirayama takes part in informal EU ministerial meeting on research and innovation competition and international ministerial dialogue on international cooperation

16.02.2024 — Press releases Europa
On 14-15 February, State Secretary for Education Research and Innovation, Martina Hirayama, attended an informal meeting of research and innovation ministers from EU Member States in La Hulpe (Belgium). Discussions at this biannual meeting were centred on three main topics: the future of EU framework programmes for research and innovation; collaboration between research and industry; and the potential of technological developments in accelerating industrial decarbonisation. This informal ministerial meeting was followed by a second event: the international ministerial dialogue on principles and values in international research and innovation cooperation, which took place on 16 February.

Swiss-UK Agreement on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications: Dispatch sent to Parliament

14.02.2024 — Press releases Europa
At its meeting on 14 February 2024, the Federal Council submitted its dispatch to the Swiss Parliament on the agreement between Switzerland and the United Kingdom on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications. The agreement enables citizens of both countries to take up employment in regulated professional activities. Swiss professionals and companies benefit from the agreement as it will enable them to continue offering their services in the United Kingdom.

Switzerland and Norway emphasise common values and interests

07.02.2024 — Press releases Europa
President Viola Amherd met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on Wednesday, 7 February to discuss bilateral relations, the European policy of both countries and the security situation on the continent. A further topic of the talks was trade policy within the framework of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). An exchange with King Harald V is planned for Thursday, 8 February.

President Amherd meets President and Prime Minister of Estonia

06.02.2024 — Press releases Europa
On 6 February, President Viola Amherd met with President Alar Karis, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur in the Estonian capital of Tallinn. The main topics of discussion were European policy and the security situation. A visit to the Cyber Defence Centre was also on the agenda, with a view to cooperation on cyber defence issues.

Decline in social expenditure in 2022 in Switzerland and Europe

05.02.2024 — Press releases Europa
Expenditure on social benefits in Switzerland reached CHF 207.8 billion in 2022, a decline of CHF 4.2 billion (–2.0%) on 2021 in real terms. A fall in social expenditure was also recorded in most European countries (median: –3.5%). In 2020, expenditure had reached an all-time high in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend is largely explained by post-COVID-19 economic recovery and the rise in prices following the war in Ukraine. These are the latest findings from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

President Amherd to travel to Estonia and Norway

02.02.2024 — Press releases Europa
President Viola Amherd will pay a visit to Estonia and Norway next week. Switzerland maintains close relations with both countries. In Estonia, meetings are scheduled with President Alar Karis and Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on Tuesday, 6 February. Ms Amherd will then meet with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on Wednesday, 7 February. An exchange with King Harald V is also planned in Oslo.

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President Amherd to visit Hungary, holder of next EU Council presidency

15.04.2024 — Press releases Europa
In a few days’ time President Viola Amherd will travel to Hungary, which will assume the EU Council presidency in the second half of the year. The main topics for discussion at meetings with President Tamás Sulyok, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the Speaker of the National Assembly László Kövér on Friday, 19 April, will include bilateral relations between Switzerland and Hungary, European policy and the security situation in Europe. On Thursday, 18 April, Ms Amherd will give a speech on these topics at Andrássy University in Budapest.

Ignazio Cassis on official visit to Croatia

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.

Launch of the Horizon Europe project HEATWISE: Computers heat buildings

11.04.2024 — Press releases Europa
Zero heat waste: This is the goal of a dozen European companies and research institutions, including Empa, in the Horizon Europe project HEATWISE. The focus is on buildings with extensive IT loads. All waste heat from these systems is to be integrated and utilized in the buildings.

State Secretary Martina Hirayama visits Poland with science delegation

11.04.2024 — Press releases Europa
On 9 and 10 April, Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation (ERI), met with Polish government representatives in Warsaw. She opened the kick-off event of the Polish-Swiss research and innovation programme. The visit to Warsaw will strengthen bilateral relations between Switzerland and Poland in the ERI sector.

Horizon package: Federal Council to finance transitional measures in 2024

10.04.2024 — Press releases Europa
On 10 April, the Federal Council decided on transitional measures for the 2024 calls for proposals under the European Union's Horizon package 2021-2027 (Horizon Europe, Euratom programme, ITER and Digital Europe Programme). A maximum amount of CHF 650 million has been set aside for this purpose. This allocation is drawn from funding earmarked by Parliament at the end of 2020 for Switzerland's participation in the Horizon package. The Federal Council remains committed to achieving Swiss association to the Horizon package as soon as possible.

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin meets with Slovenia’s Minister for Economic Affairs Matjaž Han

10.04.2024 — Press releases Europa
On 10 April, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research Guy Parmelin received Slovenia’s Minister of the Economy, Tourism and Sport Matjaž Han. The excellent economic relations between Switzerland and Slovenia were at the centre of the exchange in Bern.

Discussions between the National Cyber Security Centre and the French Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI)

03.04.2024 — Press releases Europa
Florian Schütz, Director of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), will meet with his French counterpart, Vincent Strubel, Director General of the French Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI), on 3 April to discuss cybersecurity issues and strengthen relations between the two countries.

More and more Swiss nationals are living abroad, especially in Europe (last modification, the 28.03.2024)

28.03.2024 — Press releases Europa
At the end of 2023, 813 400 Swiss nationals were living abroad. This number has increased since 2022 (+13 400 people or +1.7%). Almost two-thirds of the Swiss abroad live in Europe and more than a quarter in France, but many also live on other continents.

Swiss life satisfaction is highest in Europe – yet inequalities persist

26.03.2024 — Press releases Europa
In European comparison, life satisfaction in Switzerland is consistently high and in 2022 was the highest of all European countries. The overall standard of living also remained high in European comparison. However, almost one in ten people had difficulty making ends meet and 4.9% of the population had to go without important goods, services and social activities for financial reasons. The poverty rate was 8.2%. These are some of the findings from the 2022 Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) conducted by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Switzerland and Denmark strengthen relations in higher education, research and innovation

20.03.2024 — Press releases Europa
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and Denmark’s Minister of Higher Education and Science Christina Egelund signed a memorandum of understanding in Copenhagen on 20 March to enhance cooperation between the universities, researchers, innovation stakeholders and funding bodies of both countries.

President Amherd and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen open negotiations between Switzerland and the EU

18.03.2024 — Press releases EDA
On Monday, 18 March, President Viola Amherd and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen officially opened negotiations between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) in the presence of the chief negotiators from both sides. While in Brussels, Ms Amherd also met with Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice President of the European Commission. In addition to bilateral relations between Switzerland and the EU, geopolitical and security policy challenges facing Europe were also discussed.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to travel to East Africa

14.03.2024 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will travel to Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya from 17 to 22 March 2024. Discussions will focus on bilateral relations and regional geopolitical issues. Possible avenues for a peace process in Ukraine will also be explored. The Greater Horn of Africa is one of the most dynamic regions in the world, but is also one of the most fragile and severely affected by conflict. Mr Cassis will meet with the presidents and foreign ministers of all three countries. A meeting is also scheduled with the chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission. The AU joined the G20 earlier this year.

Other news (33)

Coronavirus: Further easing of entry restrictions from 8 June

27.05.2020 — Europa
The Federal Council is to further relax entry restrictions in connection with the coronavirus pandemic. The restrictions will be lifted in step with the reopening of the economy. From 8 June, the cantons will begin processing applications from workers from the EU/EFTA member states. In addition, Swiss companies will be allowed to employ highly skilled workers from third countries if this is in the public interest, or if they are urgently required. To benefit the domestic workforce, companies will again be required to give notification of job vacancies, a measure that was temporarily suspended during the lockdown. Lastly, the Federal Council plans to lift all travel restrictions and re-establish the free movement of persons across the Schengen area no later than 6 July. Border controls with Germany, Austria and France will be lifted as early as 15 June, as previously announced.

Securing access to research cooperation and funding programmes in Europe

20.05.2020 — Europa
Horizon Europe, the EU’s next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, is due to start in 2021. Along with three other European initiatives, Horizon Europe forms the ‘2021–2027 Horizon package’. On 20 May 2020 the Federal Council adopted a dispatch on funding requesting Parliament to approve CHF 6,154 million in funding to secure Switzerland’s participation in the Horizon package. Provided Parliament approves this funding, the Federal Council and the EU will be able to renew their bilateral research agreement and secureSwitzerland’s continued and uninterrupted participation in the Horizon package as an associated state.

Coronavirus: Switzerland reaches agreement with Germany, Austria and France on opening borders

13.05.2020 — Europa
Switzerland plans to open all borders with Germany, Austria and France on 15 June 2020, if the epidemiological situation allows. Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter has reached agreement on this move following talks with the interior ministers of these three neighbouring countries. She advised the Federal Council of the agreement at its meeting on 13 May 2020.

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.

Serbian Prime Minister Brnabić attends working meeting with President Maurer

03.09.2019 — Europa
On Tuesday, 3 September, President Ueli Maurer received Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić at the Bernerhof for a working visit on the fringes of Swiss Digital Day. Discussions covered bilateral issues such as business and digital transformation, Serbia’s relations with the European Union, and the situation in the Western Balkans.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visits Samos refugee camp and meets new Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs

10.07.2019 — EDA
Mr Cassis's visit to Greece has mainly been concerned with the situation of refugees and the challenges posed by migration. On Tuesday, the head of the FDFA visited the refugee camp on Samos and today met Nikos Dendias, who was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs this week, and President Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

Switzerland and EU adapt their insurance agreement

05.07.2018 — Europa
Switzerland and the EU have been adapting their Direct Insurance Agreement which has existed since 1989 to the new regulatory requirements. The mixed committee with representatives from both sides adopted the changes on 3 July 2018 and brought them into effect. Thereby the agreement is also in line with the future requirements of the Swiss insurance business.

Switzerland and France give go-ahead to implementation of EuroAirport agreement

19.12.2017 — EDA
At their first meeting, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian brought the issue of the tax regime at Basel-Mulhouse (EuroAirport) to a conclusion: the agreement regulating Swiss companies operating at EuroAirport will be applicable from next year. The two foreign ministers' working meeting also focused on other bilateral issues, the situation in Europe and Switzerland's policy with regard to the EU.

EU-Switzerland Financial Regulatory Dialogue held in Bern

19.10.2017 — Europa
The Swiss State Secretariat for International Financial Matters and the European Commission held their 2017 Financial Regulatory Dialogue on October 19 in Berne. The Dialogue was co-chaired by Jörg Gasser, State Secretary for International Financial Matters, and Olivier Guersent, European Commission's Director General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union. Participants included staff from the European Commission, European Supervisory Authorities, Single Resolution Board, the Swiss federal administration, the Swiss National Bank and the Swiss Financial Supervisory Authority FINMA.

European Parliament’s PANA Committee to visit Switzerland

15.09.2017 — Europa
The Swiss authorities will receive a delegation from the European Parliament's PANA Committee on 15 September. The focus of the talks will be the current system and the ongoing work to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and tax offences.

Switzerland once again a full member of partnership-funded EU innovation programmes

23.08.2017 — Europa
On 23 August, the Federal Council approved the agreements on Switzerland’s participation in the Eurostars-2 and the Active and Assisted Living research and development programmes. This means that Switzerland is once again a full member of both programmes and is co-financed by the EU. The programmes are particularly interesting for research-intensive SMEs looking to enter new European or global markets through cross-border cooperation. Switzerland’s participation in the AAL programme is one of the many measures that form part of the federal government’s Skilled Workers Initiative.

Linking of the Swiss and European emissions trading systems: big step forward

16.08.2017 — Europa
Switzerland and the European Union are preparing to link their emissions trading systems. The Federal Council approved the signing of the corresponding agreement at its meeting of 16 August 2017. The European Commission has also adopted proposals for the signature and ratification of the agreement and has submitted them to the Council of the European Union for approval. The agreement could be signed before the end of this year. Its ratification must then be approved by the Swiss and European parliaments.

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