| 15.12.2023 |
At its meeting on 15 December, the Federal Council approved the draft negotiating mandate with the European Union (EU). The mandate sets out guidelines for the negotiations, which will get under way once the mandate is definitively adopted, after consultation with Parliament and the cantons. Press release, 15.12.2023: Federal Council approves draft negotiating mandate with European Union |
| 14.12.2023 |
The transitional solution with the European Railway Agency (ERA) will be extended until the end of 2024. It enables joint vehicle approvals and safety certificates for cross-border passenger and freight transport. Press release, 14.12.2023: Transitional solution with the European Railway Agency (de) |
| 05.12.2023 (de) |
On December 5, 2023, the 18th meeting of the Joint Committee on the Agreement on Mutual Recognition in relation to Conformity Assessment (MRA) took place in Bern. Switzerland and the EU discussed the implementation of the agreement and developments in EU legislation. Press release, 05.12.2023: Joint Committee on the Agreement on Mutual Recognition in relation to Conformity Assessment (de) |
| 29.11.2023 (de) |
At its meeting on November 29, 2023, the Federal Council decided to reinforce the Swiss contingent in KFOR with 20 additional members of the armed forces from April 2024. The contingent will be increased to replace the transport unit that Austria is withdrawing from the mission in spring 2024. The additional costs for increasing the maximum number of troops will be covered by the DDPS budget. Press release, 29.11.2023: Federal Council decided to reinforce the Swiss contingent in KFOR (de) |
| 22.11.2023 |
At its meeting on 22 November, the Federal Council decided to extend for a further year the safeguard clause provided for in the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons for Croatian nationals coming to work in Switzerland. The number of new work permits for 2024 will remain at the same level as 2023. Press release, 22.11.2023: Federal Council extends safeguard clause for Croatia |
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| 21.11.2023 |
State Secretary Alexandre Fasel was received by the secretary-general of the European External Action Service (EEAS), Stefano Sannino, in Brussels on 21 November for the biannual consultations on foreign and security policy. In this context, Mr Fasel and Mr Sannino agreed to establish a structured dialogue on security and defence, with the aim of strengthening cooperation in this area. They also discussed the topic of cooperation and solidarity in response to current crises, and exchanged views on various multilateral issues. Press release, 21.11.2023: Cooperation in Foreign and Security Policy: State Secretary Alexandre Fasel meets EU counterpart Stefano Sannino |
| 13.11.2023 |
On Monday, 13 November 2023, State Secretary Alexandre Fasel travelled to London for the annual strategic dialogue between Switzerland and the United Kingdom. He met with Christian Turner, political director, and Peter Wilson, director general for Europe, at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. The discussions centred on the intensive and diverse bilateral relations between Switzerland and the UK, current international affairs, and European matters. The primary objective of the discussions was to enhance political, economic and scientific cooperation between the two nations. Press release, 13.11.2023: New round of strategic dialogue between Switzerland and UK |
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08.11.2023 |
At its meeting on 8 November 2023, the Federal Council reviewed the outcomes of internal discussions and the exploratory talks with the EU. On this basis, it decided to draw up a negotiating mandate. Before the end of the year, it will decide whether or not to adopt it and submit it to the foreign affairs committees (FACs) and the Conference of Cantonal Governments (CCG) for consultation. Press release, 08.11.2023: Federal Council decides to prepare mandate for negotiations with EU |
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21.09.2023 |
11th and final round of exploratory talks between Switzerland and the EU Commission. |
18.07.2023 |
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets Vice-President of the EU Commission Maroš Šefčovič in Brussels. Talks focus on the progress made in the exploratory talks at the technical and diplomatic level as well as the outstanding issues and next steps to be clarified in the coming months. Press release, 18.07.2023: Ignazio Cassis meets with Maroš Šefčovič in Brussels |
21.06.2023 |
The Federal Council takes stock of its European policy and adopts the parameters of a negotiating mandate with the EU. Press release, 21.06.2023: Federal Council approves parameters for EU negotiating mandate |
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30.05.2023 |
10th round of exploratory talks between Switzerland and the EU Commission: Livia Leu, State Secretary of the FDFA, meets Juraj Nociar, Head of Cabinet of Vice-President of the EU Commission Maroš Šefčovič, in Brussels. Article, 30.05.2023: Tenth round of exploratory talks between Livia Leu and Juraj Nociar |
20.04.2023 |
9th round of exploratory talks between Switzerland and the EU Commission: Livia Leu, State Secretary of the FDFA, meets Juraj Nociar, Head of Cabinet of Vice-President of the EU Commission Maroš Šefčovič, in Brussels. Article, 20.04.2023: Ninth round of exploratory talks between State Secretary Livia Leu and Juraj Nociar, head of cabinet of the Vice-President of the European Commission |
29.03.2023 |
The Federal Council decides on how to proceed with a view to a negotiating mandate. Article, 29.03.2023: Federal Council decides on next steps regarding negotiating mandate |
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15.03.2023 |
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič in Bern. Article, 15.03.2023: Switzerland and EU in dialogue: Šefčovič and Cassis exchange views in Bern |
07.03.2023 |
8th round of exploratory talks between Switzerland and the EU Commission: Livia Leu, State Secretary of the FDFA, meets Juraj Nociar, Head of Cabinet of Vice-President of the EU Commission Maroš Šefčovič, in Brussels. Article, 07.03.2023: More in-depth discussion at the eighth round of exploratory talks |
20.01.2023 |
7th round of exploratory talks between Switzerland and the EU Commission: Livia Leu, State Secretary of the FDFA, meets Juraj Nociar, Head of Cabinet of Vice-President of the EU Commission Maroš Šefčovič, in Brussels. Article, 20.01.2023: Seventh round of exploratory talks with the EU |
