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President Amherd invited to pay state visit to Portugal

12.12.2024 — Press releases Europa
President Viola Amherd has been invited to pay a state visit to Portugal, which will take place next week. At the meeting with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro on Monday, 16 December, discussions will focus on relations between Switzerland and Portugal, European policy, the security situation and global developments.

Federal Councillor Beat Jans attends Schengen ministerial meeting in Brussels

12.12.2024 — Press releases Europa
On 12 December, Federal Councillor Beat Jans attended a meeting of the justice and home affairs ministers of the Schengen countries in Brussels. This was the first meeting since the new EU Commission was confirmed. The talks focused on cooperation with third countries in curbing irregular migration, and the implementation of the EU’s Pact on Migration and Asylum. During the bilateral meetings, Mr Jans, the head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP), also held talks with the new EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner.

Switzerland and the United Kingdom strengthen cooperation in science and innovation

09.12.2024 — Press releases Europa
On 9 December, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and State Secretary Martina Hirayama welcomed UK Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation Lord Vallance to Bern. Their assessment of cooperation and innovation was extremely positive.

Strengthening bilateral relations and international cooperation: Ignazio Cassis makes official visit to Rome

29.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
During his two-day visit to Rome, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis opened the 7th Forum for Dialogue between Switzerland and Italy, together with Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani. The two officials praised this platform, which was designed to further enhance bilateral relations. In Rome, the head of the FDFA also participated in the international congress on the abolition of the death penalty hosted by the Community of Sant’Egidio. Various other bilateral meetings with UN agencies were also on the agenda.

Dispatch on the Neutrality Initiative: Federal Council recommends rejection without counterproposal

27.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 27 November 2024, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the popular initiative 'Safeguarding Swiss neutrality' (Neutrality Initiative). It recommends that the Federal Assembly reject the initiative without a counterproposal. The Federal Council is of the opinion that enshrining a rigid understanding of neutrality in the Federal Constitution is not in Switzerland's interests and would restrict its room for manoeuvre in foreign policy terms.

Ignazio Cassis holds meeting with Maroš Šefčovič on 27 November 2024 in Bern

27.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, has met with Maroš Šefčovič, the European Commission's vice-president for interinstitutional relations and foresight. The exchange, which was held on 27 November in Bern, allowed the two politicians to take stock of the Swiss-EU negotiations and discuss the next steps, with the shared objective of concluding negotiations ideally by the end of the year.

Federal Council to develop Armaments Policy Strategy

27.11.2024 — Press releases Europa
The continuing deterioration in the security situation calls for a revision of the existing armaments policy and for the Federal Council to exercise greater strategic control. At its meeting on 27 November, the Federal Council therefore instructed the DDPS to develop an Armaments Policy Strategy to be adopted by mid-2025.

Federal Council lifts quotas for Croatian nationals in 2025

27.11.2024 — Press releases Europa
From 1 January, Croatian nationals coming to work in Switzerland will benefit once again from full freedom of movement. At its meeting on 27 November, the Federal Council adopted an amendment to the Ordinance on the Free Movement of Persons (FMPO) to this effect.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to attend 7th Forum for Dialogue between Switzerland and Italy in Rome

26.11.2024 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, will travel to Rome on 28 and 29 November to open the Forum for Dialogue between Switzerland and Italy together with Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani. On the margins of the forum, Mr Cassis will participate in an international congress on the abolition of the death penalty hosted by the Community of Sant'Egidio.

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin on working visit to the Netherlands

25.11.2024 — Press releases Europa
On 28 and 29 November, Guy Parmelin, the head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), will visit the Netherlands with a high-level scientific delegation. In The Hague, he will sign a memorandum of understanding with Eppo Bruins, the Dutch minister for Education, Culture and Science, to strengthen cooperation in education, research and innovation. A ministerial-level meeting on economic issues is also on the programme.

Rethinking timber buildings: Launch of EU project on sustainable timber construction

25.11.2024 — Press releases Europa
A new European research project, TIMBERHAUS, aiming at promoting timber construction in Europe, was launched in Copenhagen in early November. The goal is to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions in the construction sector by developing innovative timber construction technologies and design solutions. The pan-European consortium consists of 19 partners from ten countries, including Empa.

Federal Council adopts dispatch on amendment of DTA with Hungary

20.11.2024 — Press releases Europa
During its meeting on 20 November 2024, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the protocol of amendment to the double taxation agreement (DTA) with Hungary. The protocol implements the OECD's minimum standards from the base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project with regard to double taxation agreements.

Media (660)

President Amherd invited to pay state visit to Portugal

Federal Councillor Beat Jans attends Schengen ministerial meeting in Brussels

Switzerland and the United Kingdom strengthen cooperation in science and innovation

Strengthening bilateral relations and international cooperation: Ignazio Cassis makes official visit to Rome

Dispatch on the Neutrality Initiative: Federal Council recommends rejection without counterproposal

Ignazio Cassis holds meeting with Maroš Šefčovič on 27 November 2024 in Bern

Federal Council to develop Armaments Policy Strategy

Federal Council lifts quotas for Croatian nationals in 2025

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to attend 7th Forum for Dialogue between Switzerland and Italy in Rome

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin on working visit to the Netherlands

Rethinking timber buildings: Launch of EU project on sustainable timber construction

Federal Council adopts dispatch on amendment of DTA with Hungary

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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