All news (2819)
No signing of Swiss–EU institutional agreement
26.05.2021
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
