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.

President Leuthard in Copenhagen for working meeting

07.08.2017 — Press releases Europa
President Doris Leuthard held talks with Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen on Monday, 7 August. In addition to bilateral relations between the two countries, the main subjects discussed were Switzerland’s policy towards the European Union (EU) and global climate policy.

Taxes retained on behalf of the EU in 2016 amount to CHF 74,8 million

10.07.2017 — Press releases Europa

The gross revenue generated from the system of tax retention on interest payments made in Switzerland to EU taxpayers amounted to CHF 74,8 million for the tax year 2016. It was CHF 169,3 million in 2015.

Ten years of the European Research Council: positive record from Swiss perspective

06.07.2017 — Press releases Europa
An event was held in Geneva on 6 July to mark the tenth anniversary of the European Research Council (ERC). The ERC awards valuable grants to excellent scientists across all disciplines to carry out pioneering research at institutions in an EU member state or associated state. Scientists active in Switzerland have been particularly successful with their applications for ERC grants. State Secretary Mauro Dell’Ambrogio praised the pioneering role of the ERC and its importance for the entire European research area – as well as for Switzerland.

Switzerland-EU relations: Federal Council sets priorities and agenda

28.06.2017 — Press releases Europa
At its meeting on 28 June 2017, the Federal Council set out its priorities for Switzerland's relationship with the European Union. It acknowledged the social and economic importance of the bilateral path, which allows the country to prosper while maintaining its independence. The government reiterated its intention to maintain and build on this relationship, particularly in regard to market access. It plans to assess the situation in the next few months based on the tangible outcomes obtained following the resumption of talks on outstanding dossiers. To this end it has scheduled a number of phases for next autumn.

Swiss enlargement contribution: 10 country programmes in central and eastern Europe come to a successful close

19.06.2017 — Press releases EDA
The 10-year implementation period for Switzerland’s enlargement contribution to the 10 central and eastern European countries that joined the EU in 2004 came to an end on 14 June 2017. Under the contribution, Parliament approved a total of CHF 1 billion to implement 210 projects which have helped reduce economic and social disparities among broad sections of the population living in the EU. In so doing, Switzerland has demonstrated its solidarity with these countries and has been able to consolidate ties with the new EU member states in a number of areas, including Swiss businesses.

Federal Council adopts dispatch on automatic exchange of information with 41 states and territories

16.06.2017 — Press releases Europa
During its meeting on 16 June 2017, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the introduction of the automatic exchange of financial account information (AEOI) with 41 states and territories. Implementation is planned for 2018, and the first sets of data should be exchanged in 2019. Switzerland is boosting its international position by extending its AEOI network to most of the G20 and OECD states, as well as other important financial centres around the world.

Emissions trading scheme: acquisition of aviation data in 2018

02.06.2017 — Europa
The integration of greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation sector into the emissions trading scheme (ETS) is a necessary step in order to link the Swiss and European schemes. At its session on 2 June 2017 the Federal Council approved the Ordinance governing the acquisition and reporting of data from the aviation sector. In line with the intention of the European Union, it is only domestic flights in Switzerland or flights from Switzerland to member states of the European Economic Area (EEA) that are concerned.

Federal Council adopts dispatch on European Border and Coast Guard

17.05.2017 — Press releases Europa

During its meeting on 17 May 2017, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the adoption and implementation of the EU regulation on the new European Border and Coast Guard Agency. This regulation forms the basis for reinforcing the protection of external borders and returns of illegally staying third-country nationals in the Schengen area.

Entry into force of the Federal Act on Cooperation with the States of Eastern Europe

17.05.2017 — Press releases Europa
On 17 May 2017 the Federal Council confirmed that the Federal Act on Cooperation with the States of Eastern Europe (Eastern Europe Cooperation Act) will come into force on 1 June 2017. The act was passed by Parliament on 30 September 2016.

Visit to Bern by the Danish foreign minister: strengthening exchanges and cooperation between Switzerland and Denmark

03.05.2017 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter met Danish Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen on Wednesday 3 May 2017 during an official visit to Bern. Both countries have expressed the wish to strengthen their exchanges and cooperation, in particular with regard to relations with the EU, security in Europe – specifically within the framework of the OSCE and the Council of Europe – and cooperation at the multilateral level and in the context of Africa.

Switzerland steps up cooperation with the EU in the fields of humanitarian aid and civil protection

28.04.2017 — Press releases EDA
The frequency and magnitude of disasters have increased significantly in recent years. Switzerland and the EU have agreed to strengthen their cooperation in order to respond more effectively to emergencies in Europe and worldwide. On 28 April 2017, the two partners signed an administrative agreement to facilitate the exchange of information and best practices.

President Keller-Sutter to travel to Rome for inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV

13.05.2025 — Press releases Europa
President Karin Keller-Sutter will represent Switzerland at the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV in Rome on Sunday, 18 May. She has already sent a letter of congratulations to the new head of the Catholic Church on behalf of the Federal Council.

President Keller-Sutter to attend European Political Community Summit in Tirana

12.05.2025 — Press releases Europa
On 16 May, in the Albanian capital Tirana, President of the Swiss Confederation Karin Keller-Sutter will represent Switzerland at the sixth summit of the European Political Community. Heads of state and government from around 45 countries across the continent are expected to attend, along with representatives of EU institutions and other European organisations.

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin on a working visit to Poland

12.05.2025 — Press releases Europa
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin will visit Poland on 14 and 15 May. During his visit he will sign a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in education, research and innovation (ERI). Bilateral ministerial meetings are also planned, focusing on ERI and business. The programme will conclude with a visit to the renowned Impact'25 innovation fair.

Direct rail connection between Switzerland and London: Parties sign Memorandum of Understanding

09.05.2025 — Press releases Europa
Federal Councillor Albert Rösti, head of the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), met the UK’s Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander in London on 8 May. They signed a joint memorandum of understanding on increased cooperation in international rail passenger transport. The aim of the MoU is to establish a direct railway link between Switzerland and the UK.

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to visit Bulgaria

05.05.2025 — Press releases Europa
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin will travel to Sofia on 7 May for a one-day visit. His programme includes meetings with Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev and Prime Minister Rosen Jeliazkov, as well as a visit to the renowned Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT).

Ignazio Cassis meets with Hungarian foreign minister in Bern

05.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, today received the Hungarian foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó, in Bern for an official working visit. The talks centred on bilateral relations, European policy and current geopolitical issues.

Swiss–EU package: Federal Council calls for optional referendum

30.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 30 April 2025, the Federal Council took stock of the ongoing work on the Swiss–EU package. It decided to call an optional referendum on the agreements with the European Union (EU). In taking this decision, the Federal Council is signalling political continuity and coherence and giving Parliament and the cantons room for manoeuvre. Parliament will ultimately determine the nature of the referendum in the course of its deliberations.

National Armaments Director receives the Deputy National Armaments Director of Poland in Switzerland

17.04.2025 — Press releases Europa
On 16 April, National Armaments Director Urs Loher met with the Deputy National Armaments Director of Poland, Colonel Krzysztof Komorowski, for bilateral discussions in Switzerland. The focus was on an exchange of ideas about current armaments policy topics.

Switzerland–EU: Federal Council approves EU Programmes Agreement

10.04.2025 — Press releases Europa
At its meeting on 9 April 2025, the Federal Council approved the EU Programmes Agreement (EUPA) along with the associated protocols on education, research, innovation and health. It also authorised Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to sign the agreement. Signature of the EUPA will enable Swiss association in Horizon Europe, the Euratom programme and the Digital Europe Programme to be applied retroactively from 1 January 2025. The agreement will come into effect following ratification of the Switzerland-EU package

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to travel to Slovenia

10.04.2025 — Press releases Europa
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin will travel to Slovenia on 11 April for a one-day bilateral visit. The programme includes talks with the prime minister and the minister for economic affairs, visits to Swiss companies and discussions with the business community. Mr Parmelin will also sign the bilateral implementation agreement relating to Switzerland's second contribution to Slovenia.

President Karin Keller-Sutter to attend meeting of EU's Economic and Financial Affairs Council

07.04.2025 — Press releases Europa
On 11 April 2025, Karin Keller-Sutter, President of the Swiss Confederation, will attend the informal meeting of the EU's Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) in Warsaw. The purpose of the meeting is to promote European exchanges on international financial and tax issues.

Working meeting between Ignazio Cassis and Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger

01.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met with his Austrian counterpart Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Bern on Tuesday. This is the first visit to Switzerland by Austria's new minister for European and international affairs. Discussions focused on bilateral relations, European policy and security, and current international affairs.

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.