All news (2821)
Switzerland welcomes the release of US-Iranian citizen Saberi
11.05.2009
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Press release
EDA
Visit of the Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko to Bern
06.05.2009
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Press release
EDA
On 14 May 2009 President Merz will receive the Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko in Bern, in the presence of the Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey. Along with bilateral relations, topics of discussion will focus on the European policies and multilateral cooperation of both countries.
Official working visit to Bern by Macedonian foreign minister Antonio Milososki
04.05.2009
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Press release
EDA
On 4 May Macedonian foreign minister Antonio Milososki made an official working visit to Bern, where he held talks with his counterpart Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey.
Switzerland provides humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka and renews its appeals for compliance with international law
30.04.2009
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Press release
EDA
In light of the dramatic situation in the north of Sri Lanka, the FDFA is providing emergency humanitarian aid and continues to insist on compliance with international humanitarian law. The victims of the conflict must be protected and helped, and access by humanitarian actors must be guaranteed.
Mobutu assets to remain frozen awaiting outcome of complaints procedure
30.04.2009
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Press release
EDA
The Swiss government (Federal Council) was informed on 27 April 2009 of the lodging of a complaint with the Federal Criminal Court. This procedure was initiated by a private person in reaction to the decision of the Office of the Attorney General not to act upon the criminal complaint lodged in January 2009 with regard to the Mobutu assets. In order to give the Court sufficient time to consider the new complaint, the Federal Council has decided that the assets shall remain frozen until 31 October 2009, rather than as originally intended until 30 April 2009.
Appointment of a Head of Post in Genoa
30.04.2009
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Press release
EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs announces the following appointment:
Conclusion of the Durban Review Conference in Geneva
24.04.2009
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Press release
EDA
The Durban Review Conference has sent a strong message to the victims of racism thanks to the final text it adopted by consensus. It also constitutes an unequivocal statement by the international community in support of the fight against racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia. The follow-up process to the 2001 Durban Conference has advanced the fight against racism in Switzerland. Civil society was a very active partner both during the Conference itself as well as in the margins. The demonstrations organised by civil society this week were orderly and peaceful.
IMF and World Bank Group 2009 Spring Meetings
22.04.2009
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Press release
EDA
A delegation headed by President Hans-Rudolf Merz and consisting of Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard and Jean-Pierre Roth, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, will take part in the joint Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Washington from 25 - 26 April 2009. The key topics of discussion in the meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) will be the policy response to the financial crisis and the global downturn. The focus of the discussions in the Development Committee (DC) will be the impact of the financial crisis on poor countries and the role of the international financial institutions, and the current governance reforms in the World Bank.
JOINT STATEMENT OF THE SWISS FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND OF THE MINISTRIES OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA AND OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY
22.04.2009
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Press release
EDA
The FDFA appeals to all the conflicting parties in Sri Lanka to end the hostilities immediately and to respect international humanitarian law
21.04.2009
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Press release
EDA
The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka. The disregard for humanitarian standards shown by combatants in the north of the country has resulted in many victims and seriously endangered the lives of tens of thousands of civilians caught in the cross-fire. The FDFA again urgently calls on all the conflicting parties to respect international humanitarian law and to end the hostilities.
Date for freezing of Mobutu assets expires
21.04.2009
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Press release
EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has taken note of the decision by the state prosecutor (SP) not to pursue the complaint submitted in January 2009 concerning the assets of former president Mobutu. The Confederation has been trying since 1997 to find a solution to this case. The freezing of assets was due to expire on 30 April 2009. To prevent the repetition of such cases in future, in December 2008 the Federal Council mandated the FDFA to draft a law making it possible to confiscate and to restitute the illicit assets of politically exposed persons.
Visit to Bern by the President of the European Court of Human Rights
21.04.2009
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Press release
EDA
Today, Federal Councillors Micheline Calmy-Rey and Eveline Widmer Schlumpf have received the President of the European Court of Human Rights, Jean-Paul Costa, in Bern for talks.