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Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne

07.05.2021 — Press release EDA
On Friday 7 May 2021, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis held an official working meeting in Geneva with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne. Bilateral relations between the two countries and multilateral cooperation were the main topics of discussion.

COVID-19 in India: Switzerland sends hundreds of oxygen concentrators and 50 respirators

06.05.2021 — Press release EDA
Switzerland is supporting India in its fight against COVID-19. Swiss Humanitarian Aid has sent several hundred oxygen concentrators and 50 respirators, worth about CHF 3 million, to assist hospitals in India.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives Burundi's foreign minister in Bern

03.05.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received the foreign minister of Burundi, Albert Shingiro, on a courtesy visit to Bern on 3 May 2021. Switzerland has a long-standing bilateral and multilateral commitment to peace and sustainable development in Burundi. During his stay in Bern, Mr Shingiro also met with the deputy state secretary of the FDFA, the director general of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and the heads of the FDFA's Africa and Peace and Human Rights divisions.

FDFA calls for Palestinian elections to be held without further delay

03.05.2021 — Press release EDA
The FDFA notes with regret the decision to postpone the Palestinian legislative and presidential elections, scheduled for 22 May and 31 July. Holding these elections is essential to restore the legitimacy of Palestinian institutions, re-establish Palestinian political unity and preserve a two-state solution. Switzerland calls for restraint during this volatile period and for a date for the elections to be set as soon as possible.

Cancellation of the House of Switzerland at the Olympic Games in Tokyo

29.04.2021 — Press release EDA
The current health measures in Japan and the travel restrictions during the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo have compelled the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) to cancel the presence of the House of Switzerland in Tokyo this summer.

COVID-19 in India: Switzerland sends aid to support Indian hospitals

28.04.2021 — Press release EDA
Switzerland is supporting India, which is facing a dramatic situation in the health sector due to the COVID-19 crisis. Switzerland's Humanitarian Aid will deliver several hundred oxygen concentrators and respirators. The Confederation has earmarked an amount of one million Swiss francs to provide this assistance within the next few days.

COVID-19: Switzerland is contributing CHF 300 million to global health protection

28.04.2021 — Press release EDA
Bern, 28 April 2021 – The Federal Council is committed to ensuring equitable access to vaccines, tests and medicines worldwide in order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic sustainably. Accordingly, it decided at its meeting today to support the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator initiative with CHF 300 million. This initiative aims to improve access to immunization, testing and medication in developing countries and bolster local healthcare systems.

Commodities: Federal Council remains committed to a competitive, integrated business hub

21.04.2021 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council has approved on 21 April 2021 the first status report on the implementation of the recommendations of the 2018 report on the Swiss commodities sector, which shows that significant progress has been made in improving the framework conditions for the commodities sector, while at the same time strengthening its integrity.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó

20.04.2021 — Press release EDA
On Tuesday 20 April 2021, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó, for an official working meeting in Bern. Their talks focused on bilateral relations, Hungary's upcoming chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, and the socio-political and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pierre von Arx appointed head of the OSCE mission in Uzbekistan

20.04.2021 — Press release EDA
The chairperson-in-office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Swedish foreign minister Ann Linde, has appointed Swiss diplomat Pierre von Arx as head of the OSCE mission in Uzbekistan.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives Belarusian Foreign Minister in Bern

20.04.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, received the Foreign Minister of Belarus, Uladzimir Makei, on a courtesy visit to Bern on 20 April 2021. Their talks focused on the current situation in Belarus and the case of Natallia Hersche, a Swiss-Belarusian dual citizen who is currently serving a prison term.

Science diplomacy and cross-border cooperation focus of German-speaking foreign ministers' meeting in Lugano

16.04.2021 — Press release EDA
At the invitation of Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the annual meeting of foreign ministers from the five German-speaking countries took place today in Lugano. The talks focused on cross-border cooperation, including the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, science diplomacy in digital foreign policy and other topics of European and international interest.

Media (2670)

No signing of Swiss–EU institutional agreement

26.05.2021 — Press release EDA
At its meeting on 26 May, the Federal Council undertook an overall evaluation of the outcome of the negotiations on the institutional framework agreement (InstA). It concluded that there remain substantial differences between Switzerland and the EU on key aspects of the agreement. The conditions are thus not met for the signing of the agreement. The Federal Council today took the decision not to sign the agreement, and communicated this decision to the EU. This brings the negotiations on the draft of the InstA to a close. The Federal Council nevertheless considers it to be in the shared interest of Switzerland and the EU to safeguard their well-established cooperation and to systematically maintain the agreements already in force. It therefore wishes to launch a political dialogue with the EU on continued cooperation. Meanwhile, it has tasked the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) to consider how autonomous amendments to Swiss legislation might contribute to the stabilisation of Swiss–EU relations.

Human rights in the digital age: Ignazio Cassis underlines Council of Europe's key role

21.05.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, took part today in the 131st ministerial session of the Council of Europe (CoE), held online because of the pandemic. In his speech, he hailed the CoE's key role in protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law in the digital age. At the session, the foreign ministers of the 47 member states reaffirmed their commitment to keeping the European Court of Human Rights effective.

Switzerland sends 30 tonnes of humanitarian supplies to Nepal for COVID-19 relief

21.05.2021 — Press release EDA
Switzerland is helping Nepal cope with an extremely difficult health situation caused by COVID-19. Today, Friday, Swiss Humanitarian Aid, part of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), dispatches 1.1 million antigen tests, 40 respirators, 10 oxygen concentrators and personal protective equipment to Kathmandu. This humanitarian aid shipment is worth around CHF 7.5 million.

La Suisse salue la conclusion d’un cessez-le-feu au Proche-Orient

21.05.2021 — Press release EDA
La Suisse salue la conclusion d’un cessez-le-feu au Proche-Orient. Elle appelle les parties à se pencher sérieusement sur les causes profondes du conflit. Il est temps de mettre un terme à ces cycles de violence dont les populations civiles palestiniennes et israéliennes n’ont que trop souffert.

Federal Councilor Berset opens the World Health Assembly of the WHO

21.05.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councilor Alain Berset opened the 74th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva. In his speech, Alain Berset praised the work of the World Health Organization (WHO) and asked the member states to make sustainable investments in a global health protection structure. During their attendance at the Assembly, Federal Councilor Berset and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus signed a cooperation agreement as part of the WHO BioHub initiative.

Switzerland and Nigeria sign an agreement for the release of the vessel San Padre Pio

20.05.2021 — Press release EDA
The FDFA and the Federal Ministry of Justice of Nigeria have signed an agreement under which Nigeria will immediately release the ship San Padre Pio. The vessel, which flies the Swiss flag, was detained in January 2018 in Nigeria's exclusive economic zone.

Intentional starvation of civilians should be considered a war crime worldwide: Federal Council supports International Criminal Court

19.05.2021 — Press release EDA
Intentionally starving civilians is often used as a tactic of war. In Switzerland, it is classified as a war crime. Based on a Swiss initiative, in December 2019 the states parties to the Rome Statute declared the intentional use of starvation of civilians to be a war crime before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in civil wars as well. Previously, it had only been classified as such in wars between states. At its meeting on 19 May 2021, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch for the Federal Assembly to approve the corresponding amendment to the Rome Statute of the ICC. Ratifying the new amendment would not require any changes to Swiss law. It would however improve protection for people in war zones, which is also one of the objectives of the Federal Council's Foreign Policy Strategy 2020–23.

Middle East: Switzerland calls for immediate de-escalation and respect for international law

12.05.2021 — Press release EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is extremely concerned about the ongoing escalation of violence in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian territory. It reiterates its call on all parties to respect their obligations under international law.

Innovation and responsibility: Switzerland to showcase its strengths in France in 2024 and in Japan in 2025

11.05.2021 — Press release EDA
At its meeting of 12 May 2021, the Federal Council decided to capitalise on the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris and the 2025 World Expo in Osaka to promote Switzerland. In France, the House of Switzerland will serve as a platform for sport, politics, business, science and sustainability. A new Swiss pavilion will be designed for the world expo in Japan. The Federal Council has instructed the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) to submit a dispatch to the Federal Assembly at the beginning of 2022 requesting a guarantee credit for both projects. In Paris and Osaka, the focus will be on Switzerland's innovativeness, sustainability and economic strengths.

150th anniversary of the ICRC's Central Tracing Agency: Switzerland and the ICRC put the spotlight on the global response for missing persons

11.05.2021 — Press release EDA
On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Central Tracing Agency (CTA) of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and State Secretary Livia Leu have paid tribute to the indispensable work carried out by the CTA and pledged Switzerland's continued support to it.

First bug bounty programme in the Federal Administration

10.05.2021 — Press release EDA
On 10 May 2021, the Federal Administration and Bug Bounty Switzerland GmbH will launch a joint pilot project. The aim of the two-week test, which will be overseen by the National Cybersecurity Centre (NCSC), is to gather initial experience with bug bounty programmes and assess their future use in relation to the security of infrastructures in administrations and companies.

Escalation of violence in Jerusalem: Switzerland reiterates call for calm to all parties

09.05.2021 — Press release EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is very concerned about the escalation of violence in Jerusalem, particularly on the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount and in Sheikh Jarrah. On 3 May, the FDFA called for calm in these fragile times, and today calls again on all parties to take immediate action to defuse the tension.

Other news (148)

Official opening of the Ceneri Base Tunnel

04.09.2020 — EDA
Camorino, 04.09.2020 - Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the Inauguration Ceremony "Ceneri2020" - Check against delivery

Passaggio di testimone tra generazioni (de-fr-it)

25.08.2020 — EDA
Bern, 25.08.2020: Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the retirement of the ambassadors and the welcoming of the young diplomats who are taking up their posts in the service of the FDFA. Check against delivery.

75 years of the United Nations (fr)

26.06.2020 — EDA
Geneva, 26.06.2020: Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the 75th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter - Check against delivery

Opening of the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council (fr)

24.02.2020 — EDA
Geneva, 24.02.2020 - Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis - Check against delivery

Discover the world with the FDFA and with peace mind

17.01.2020 — Article EDA
Just what is the perfect trip abroad? And where would it take you? Swiss travellers have different needs and expectations – some prefer to go on their own, others would rather choose an organised tour. It doesn't matter if you're a backpacker or a jet-setter: the FDFA provides a wide range of services for anyone who wants to travel abroad.

Switzerland and Italy reach an agreement on Campione d'Italia

20.12.2019 — EDA
At its meeting on 20 December 2019, the Federal Council approved an exchange of notes between Switzerland and Italy regarding the change of the customs status of the Italian enclave of Campione d'Italia. This exchange of notes is necessary to ensure legal certainty and facilitates the transition of Campione d'Italia into the European Union's customs territory, scheduled for 1 January 2020.

Third meeting of the Working Group on Unresolved Issues established by the Joint Committee supervising the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation

19.12.2019 — EDA
On 16 and 17 December 2019 a third meeting of the Working Group on Unresolved Issues established by the Joint Committee, supervising the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation on the basic principles for a mechanism of customs administration and monitoring of trade in goods, signed on 9 November 2011, took place in Bern.

First Global Refugee Forum in Geneva brings together actors committed to finding shared solutions

17.12.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has opened the Global Refugee Forum together with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. The purpose of the forum, which takes place on 17 and 18 December at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, is to find shared solutions to meet the needs of refugees and their host communities.

National human rights institution to be established in Switzerland

13.12.2019 — EDA
On 13 December 2019, the Federal Council approved the proposal to establish a national human rights institution (NHRI). The Federal Council has thereby strengthened its constitutionally enshrined commitment to human rights. With the model of a public corporation, it takes into account the results of the consultation procedure. The NHRI will be independent, include members from across society and receive an annual financial support from the Confederation.

Federal Council extends freeze on assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine

13.12.2019 — EDA
On 13 December 2019, the Federal Council decided to extend for one year the preventive freeze on the assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine. The purpose of this decision is to support the judicial cooperation between Switzerland and these two states.

Humanitarian aid responds to digital and climate challenges – 33rd Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent comes to a close

12.12.2019 — EDA
The 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent ended today in Geneva. The conference adopted six resolutions that will enable the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to improve its actions and adapt them to the needs of vulnerable groups, in a world where the demand for humanitarian aid has never been so high. The topic of digitalisation was on the agenda for discussion, for example in restoring family links broken by crisis situations. The conference was opened by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on Monday 9 December.

Ignazio Cassis calls for international humanitarian law to be strengthened at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

09.12.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis called for international humanitarian law to be strengthened in his opening speech at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent taking place in Geneva from 9 to 12 December. Mr Cassis praised the vital work of the 17 million volunteers who make up the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

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