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

Ignazio Cassis to visit North and West Africa

04.02.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will pay an official visit to North and West Africa from 7 to 13 February. The trip will take him to Algeria, Mali, Senegal and The Gambia. Talks will focus on the priorities of the new strategies for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and sub-Saharan Africa in 2021–24. Key issues to be covered include the promotion of dialogue, economic development, and cooperation in relation to digitalisation. The public health crisis surrounding Covid-19 will also be discussed.

Private security services abroad: no further need for action

03.02.2021 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council has decided not to amend the Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad (PSSA) at this time. At its meeting of 3 February 2021, it concluded that the amended ordinance to the PSSA of last November would meet the requirements for ensuring consistency with export control legislation. The legal basis will be reviewed again in three years.

Swiss foreign policy under the COVID-19 pandemic

03.02.2021 — Press release EDA
At its meeting on 3 February 2021, the Federal Council approved the 2020 Foreign Policy Report. The report provides an overview of the priorities of Swiss foreign policy in the past year, most of which was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Other priorities were European policy and the implementation of the Foreign Policy Strategy 2020–23.

Federal Council adopts dispatch on UN Global Compact for Migration

03.02.2021 — Press release EDA
At its meeting on 3 February 2021, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the UN Global Compact for Migration ('Global Compact'). The dispatch reiterates the view, adopted by the Federal Council in autumn 2018, that Parliament's assent to the Global Compact is in Switzerland's interests. The objectives set out in the Global Compact are consistent with the priorities set out in Switzerland's migration policy. Assenting to the Global Compact would not require any action on domestic policy or create any new financial commitments or responsibilities. The dispatch provides the basis for Parliament to scrutinise the Global Compact, which was adopted by UN member states in 2018.

FDFA statement on the seizure of power by the military in Myanmar

01.02.2021 — Press release EDA
Switzerland is deeply concerned about the recent incidents in Myanmar. It calls for the release of all those detained and for the immediate resumption of dialogue and the democratic process leading to greater freedom, peace, respect for human rights and development in the country.

IC: more impact in cooperation with the private sector

28.01.2021 — Press release EDA
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) concretises its principles for cooperation with the private sector. Two new documents outline the main action areas for the next few years, which are aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Switzerland's International Cooperation Strategy (IC).

Head of FDFA Communication announces departure

25.01.2021 — Press release EDA
Sebastian Hueber is leaving his post as head of FDFA Communication after two years. Having completed the division’s reorganisation, he will now be turning his attention to new tasks.

Stepping up education in emergencies through enhanced cooperation

25.01.2021 — Press release EDA
The Geneva Global Hub for Education in Emergencies was officially launched on 25 January 2021. During the 2019 Global Refugee Forum held in Geneva, Switzerland pledged to position International Geneva as a global centre for education in emergencies. Over 127 million children in humanitarian crises and conflict regions cannot go to school. More than 40% of the 80 million displaced people are children; the majority of these children have no access to education, resulting in a lack of prospects, increased violence against children and lost generations. The Hub, the development of which Switzerland has played a major role in, aims to change this.

Earthquake in Croatia: Switzerland responds to appeal for emergency shelters

22.01.2021 — Press release EDA
Thousands lost their homes as a result of the earthquake that hit Croatia at the end of last year. In response to a request from the Croatian authorities, Swiss Humanitarian Aid is supplying emergency shelters to the earthquake survivors. A total of CHF 400,000 has been allocated to the relief operation.

Patric Franzen and Johannes Matyassy appointed Deputy State Secretaries in the restructured State Secretariat FDFA

13.01.2021 — Press release EDA
The newly restructured State Secretariat of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA started work at the beginning of 2021. It comprises six geographic, five thematic divisions as well as four divisions providing specific services. Now located under one roof, their close proximity will result in greater coherence in Swiss foreign policy as a whole. The State Secretariat is headed by State Secretary Livia Leu. She will be supported by two Deputy State Secretaries, Patric Franzen and Johannes Matyassy, who also have line management responsibilities. The Federal Council has been informed about the appointment of the two deputy state secretaries on 13 January 2021.

Federal Council stresses Africa’s importance and adopts first continent-wide strategy

13.01.2021 — Press release EDA
At its meeting on 13 January 2021 the Federal Council approved a strategy on Sub-Saharan Africa for the first time. The countries of North Africa are already covered by the MENA strategy adopted by the Federal Council on 14 October 2020. The new strategy recognises the great diversity of the African continent and the challenges and opportunities it presents. It sets out Switzerland's priorities and measures in the region for the 2021–24 period. In addition to peace, the core elements of the strategy are security and human rights, migration, prosperity, sustainability and digitalisation, areas in which the strategy builds on a tradition of partnership with the states of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Switzerland and The Gambia sign cooperation agreements on migration and civil aviation

12.01.2021 — Press release EDA
On 12 January Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, as vice president of the Federal Council, and Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter signed two cooperation agreements – on civil aviation and on migration – during the official visit to Bern by a delegation from the Republic of The Gambia, headed by Vice President Isatou Touray. The agreement on migration allows Switzerland and The Gambia to strengthen their respective efforts in fighting illegal migration.

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.