Micheline Calmy-Rey
 Speeches
 Interviews
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 ABC of International Law

Switzerland takes over the Chairmanship of the Council of Europe 
From 18 November 2009 to 11 May 2010, Switzerland holds the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, for a period of 6 months. It will focus on following three areas: protection of human rights and the primacy of law, strengthening of democratic institutions, and increasing the transparency and the effectiveness of the Council of Europe.
 Dossier

German Foreign Minister Westerwelle in Bern
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey received the visit of German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle for working discussions in Bern on 12 November 2009. Before the working meeting began, the German Foreign Minister paid a courtesy call on Swiss President Hans-Rudolf Merz.
 Media Release 12.11.2009

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Annual Conference on Cooperation with Eastern Europe - 5 November 2009
At the Annual Conference on Cooperation with Eastern Europe, Federal Coun-cillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, the General Secretary of the Regional Cooperation Council for South East Europe, Hido Biščević, together with other guest speakers from home and abroad, examined the question as to how the spirit of enterprise and innovation can be further promoted in the Western Balkans.
 Dossier

Signing of Protocols Armenia - Turkey in Zurich
A ceremony to mark the signing of the Protocols between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey took place on Saturday, 10 October 2009 in Zurich. Armenia’s Foreign Minister, Edouard Nalbandian, and Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, signed the Protocols in the presence of Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey.
 Dossier

The 2009 Foreign Policy Report
Key foreign policy objectives such as security and continued prosperity essentially depend on greater international co-operation and inherent strength of the international system. At the same time, international co-operation has become both more complex and demanding. The 2009 Foreign Policy Report, which was approved by the Federal Council on 2 September 2009, notes in response to such developments that a strong and active foreign policy is necessary to ensure that Switzerland can efficiently and effectively safeguard its interests in the international context.
 The Report

The future begins in the past
Dealing with the past is a decisive part of Switzerland’s commitment to promoting peace in the world. It was the theme of the 2009 Annual Conference of Political Affairs Division IV of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), which has taken place on Thursday 15 October 2009 in Bern.
 Media Release 15.10.2009
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Switzerland implements the OECD standard and reaches a settlement with the USA regarding UBS
Since its decision of principle of 13 March 2009, the Federal Council has consistently implemented the adoption of the OECD standard regarding administrative assistance in fiscal matters in accordance with Article 26 of the OECD Model Convention. After having signed 12 double taxation agreements containing the new standard, Switzerland has been removed from the OECD’s ‘grey list’. The new arrangement permits the exchange of information in response to specific requests also in cases of tax evasion.
 Dossier

60 Years of the Geneva Conventions
International Conference of Experts in Geneva
The four Geneva Conventions were adopted 60 years ago in an effort to provide protection to the victims of armed conflict. Today, their implementation is being imperiled by new threats. At the International Conference being organized by the FDFA and the ICRC, which has taken place in Geneva on 9 and 10 November 2009, government experts and international specialists will seek answers on how to tackle the current and future challenges.
 Media Release 09.11.2009
 Dossier