Investigation Report on the Überlingen aircraft accident - Federal Council accepts errors were made and expresses apologies

19.05.2004 — Press release EDA
The circumstances that led to the collision of two aircraft in the airspace over Überlingen (Ger.) on 1 July 2002 have been clarified. Errors that brought about the disaster and the deaths of 71 people were also made in Switzerland. In a letter to the President of the Russian Federation on behalf of the Federal Council, President Joseph Deiss has offered his sincerest apologies. The accident led to an immediate and thorough examination of the Swiss air traffic control system. The reorganisation of safety management in air transport already underway will be continued to its logical conclusion.

Personal Envoy Guldimann says situation in Crimea calm but very tense

— Press release EDA

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Upcoming Transdniestrian talks would send a positive signal about potential for decreasing tensions, says OSCE Special Representative Bogojević

— Press release EDA

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OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minsk Group Co-Chairs deeply concerned about developments at Line of Contact, call for immediate action to defuse tensions

— Press release EDA

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Upcoming Transdniestrian talks would send a positive signal about potential for decreasing tensions, says OSCE Special Representative Bogojević

— Press release EDA

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OSCE Chair welcomes commitment to addressing issue of missing persons in the Western Balkans

— Press release EDA

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Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected by all sides and at all times, says Chair

— Press release EDA

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OSCE Chair in Office and Secretary General at NATO to present the Organization’s contribution to co-operative security response regarding Ukraine

— Press release EDA

Press release

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

SDC Newsletter: Africa, CO2 reduction and WEF

29.01.2020 — DEZA
The FDFA has showcased some innovative technology at the 50th WEF, which could reduce global CO2 emissions by millions of tonnes per year. The SDC undertakes a range of projects in the construction industry, working in cooperation with academia and the private sector. The aim of these projects, which are located in emerging economies, is to tackle global warming effectively.

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.

Honeyland Oscar nominee

14.01.2020 — Article DEZA
Honeyland has been nominated for an Oscar in the categories Best International Feature Film and Best Documentary.  The film’s hero, Hatidze Muratova, champions environmental protection and the sustainable management of natural resources. She was discovered through the Nature Conservation Programme launched by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

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.