All news (3620)
50 years of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and San Marino: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis welcomes his counterpart, State Secretary Luca Beccari
19.05.2025
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Press releases
EDA
On Monday 19 May 2025, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received Luca Beccari, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Political Affairs, International Economic Cooperation and Digital Transition of the Republic of San Marino, who was on an official working visit, at Münchenwiler Castle in the canton of Bern. The highlight of the visit was the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and San Marino. An agreement on the exchange of young professionals was also signed.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives Costa Rican foreign minister André in Bern to discuss geopolitics, trade and democracy
16.05.2025
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Press releases
EDA
On 16 May 2025 Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received the foreign minister of Costa Rica, Arnoldo André Tinoco, for bilateral talks in Bern. The meeting focused on current geopolitical and trade policy challenges as well as bilateral issues. The visit follows Mr Cassis' trip to Costa Rica in July 2024, the first by a federal councillor. Switzerland and Costa Rica are celebrating 160 years of bilateral relations in 2025.
President Keller-Sutter attends sixth European Political Community Summit in Tirana
16.05.2025
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Press releases
EDA
On 16 May, in the Albanian capital Tirana, President Karin Keller-Sutter attended the sixth summit of the European Political Community (EPC). With Denmark set to hold the EU Council Presidency in the second half of the year, she met with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The summit focused on Europe’s competitiveness, democratic resilience and security.
Private security services provided abroad in 2024: ninth FDFA report on PSSA implementation
14.05.2025
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 14 May 2025, the Federal Council took note of the ninth annual report on the implementation of the Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad (PSSA). In 2024, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) received 111 declarations from companies. No activities were prohibited.
Swiss–EU package: all Federal Assembly members given access to Swiss–EU agreement texts
14.05.2025
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 14 May 2025, the Federal Council decided to give members of the Federal Assembly access, upon request, to the texts of the agreements negotiated with the EU. In making this decision, it is responding to the exceptionally high level of interest shown by Parliament in the Swiss–EU dossier. The Federal Council intends to make a decision before the summer recess on launching the consultation procedure. In this context, the texts of the agreements, applicable implementing legislation, and accompanying national measures will be published in three official languages, as previously planned.
Committee of Ministers: FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel underlines Switzerland's support for Council of Europe values
14.05.2025
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Press releases
EDA
FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel was in Luxembourg on 13 and 14 May, representing Switzerland at the 134th session of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers. The discussions, which were chaired by Luxembourg, focused on the Council of Europe's response to the war against Ukraine and democratic backsliding.
Second edition of Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building held in Geneva
13.05.2025
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Press releases
EDA
Switzerland hosted the second edition of the Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building (GC3B) between 13 and 14 May. The conference focused on the secure use of new digital technologies in development cooperation work, especially in the Global South. International Geneva served as a platform to bring together stakeholders from the cybersecurity and digital development sectors. The GC3B was also a key event of the inaugural Geneva Cyber Week.
President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, to pay state visit to Switzerland
12.05.2025
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Press releases
EDA
In recognition of the close and multifaceted relations between Switzerland and Kosovo, the Federal Council has invited Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu and her husband Prindon Sadriu to pay a state visit to Switzerland. President Karin Keller-Sutter will lead the Federal Council in corpore in welcoming President Osmani with military honours on Bundesplatz on Wednesday, 21 May. This will be followed by official speeches and political discussions. The programme the following day will focus on business and innovation.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives Foreign Minister Sabine Monauni from Liechtenstein
12.05.2025
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Press releases
EDA
Mr Cassis received Liechtenstein's new deputy prime minister and minister for foreign affairs, environment and culture, Sabine Monauni, for an official inaugural visit in Bern on Monday. Talks focused on the two countries' traditionally close bilateral relations, European policy, regional cooperation under the EU Strategy for the Alpine region (EUSALP), international issues and the current geopolitical context. The two ministers also signed a revised agreement on environmental levies.
Palazzo Trevisan to remain outpost of Swiss excellence in Venice
09.05.2025
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Press releases
EDA
Federal councillors Ignazio Cassis and Elisabeth Baume-Schneider announced in Venice today the future set-up for the Palazzo Trevisan. As of 1 January 2026, the main floor of the palace will be turned into a platform managed by the FDFA which will not only build on the palace's important role in promoting Swiss culture but will also incorporate new activities in the fields of innovation, research and sustainability. This development is the result of collaboration between the FDFA and the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA), with the dual aim of strengthening the Palazzo Trevisan as a vector of Swiss excellence in Venice, and of further enriching the dense network of relations between Switzerland and Italy.
International trade: Karin Keller-Sutter and Guy Parmelin hold meetings with delegations from the United States and China
09.05.2025
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Press releases
EDA
On Friday, 9 May 2025 in Geneva, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Karin Keller-Sutter, and the Vice President of the Federal Council, Guy Parmelin, met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Prior to that, they met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.
International cooperation: targeted Swiss support for UN agencies and International Geneva
08.05.2025
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has decided the FDFA will grant CHF 39 million to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), UN Women, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for 2025. By renewing these contributions, the FDFA is also sending out a strong signal in support of International Geneva.
