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.

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.

The Federal Council concludes an agreement on privileges and immunities with the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers’ Association

18.11.2019 — EDA
On 18 November 2019 Switzerland and the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers’ Association (ICoCA) signed an agreement on the privileges and immunities accorded to the association in Switzerland. ICoCA plays a major role in ensuring compliance with the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers and in promoting the responsible provision of security services.

UNESCO General Conference: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis advocates Executive Board seat for Switzerland

14.11.2019 — EDA
Speaking at the UNESCO General Conference in Paris, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis called for minorities to be respected, pointing out that this is essential to democratic processes. He also said that Switzerland supports the reform proposals intended to enhance the organisation’s effectiveness and explained the strengths Switzerland can bring to the UNESCO Executive Board. Switzerland is campaigning to gain a seat on the Executive Board in the election on 20 November 2019.

Zukunftstag 2019: Was die jungen Gäste im EDA beeindruckte (de/fr/it)

14.11.2019 — EDA
Rund 90 Kinder und Jugendliche haben am Zukunftstag 2019 ihren Eltern oder Bekannten bei der Arbeit im Eidgenössischen Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA über die Schulter und hinter die Kulissen des Departements geschaut. Generalsekretär Markus Seiler zeigte den jungen Gästen das Bundesratszimmer sowie das Büro von Bundesrat Ignazio Cassis, der sich an diesem Tag in Paris befand. An verschiedenen Workshops konnten die Kinder und Jugendlichen verschiedene Aspekte aus der Arbeit des EDA vertieft kennenlernen und eine Medienmitteilung schreiben.

UNESCO General Conference (fr)

14.11.2019 — EDA
Paris, 14.11.2019 – Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis – Check against delivery

Linking of the Swiss and EU emissions trading systems: Federal Council approves revision of the CO2 Ordinance

13.11.2019 — EDA
At its meeting on 13 November 2019, the Federal Council approved the revised Ordinance on the Reduction of CO2 Emissions. This, together with the amendment to the CO2 Act adopted in March 2019 and the agreement with the EU, will enter into force on 1 January 2020. From 2020, emissions from civil aviation and fossil fuel power stations will also be included in the Swiss ETS, as is already the case in the EU. Linking the two schemes allows companies in the Swiss ETS to trade emission allowances in the larger EU emissions market.

Escalation of violence between Israel and Gaza – statement by the FDFA

12.11.2019 — EDA
The FDFA is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East and calls on all parties to restore calm immediately.

Education, environment and protection of minorities – Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travels to UNESCO General Conference in Paris

12.11.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will represent Switzerland at the UNESCO General Conference on 14 November 2019. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) will call for respect for minorities, which is a key element of the democratic process. New members of the UNESCO Executive Board will also be elected during the three-week session. Switzerland – one of the candidates – is one of the biggest contributors to UNESCO measured by population.

FDFA calls for end to violence and new elections in Bolivia

11.11.2019 — EDA
The FDFA is closely following recent political developments in Bolivia with concern and calls for new elections to reflect the political will of the people. The FDFA stands ready to support Bolivia in preparing for such elections.

International Law Day 2019: FDFA Directorate of International Law launches discussion on 'soft law'

08.11.2019 — EDA
The FDFA Directorate of International Law (DIL) held its annual International Law Day on 8 November. This year’s event focused on soft law. The event provided an opportunity to discuss this topical issue in the presence of Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and a broad audience, and in particular to consider how to better involve Parliament in soft law matters.

Swiss woman injured in Jordan

06.11.2019 — EDA
The FDFA is assisting a Swiss woman wounded in a knife attack on 6 November in the Jordanian city of Jerash. She has received medical treatment and her life is not in danger. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis was informed directly by his counterpart, Jordan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi, who reassured him that the Swiss tourist is being cared for in Jordan.

FDFA notes resignation of UNRWA Commissioner-General

06.11.2019 — EDA
The United Nations (UN) has announced the resignation of the Commissioner-General for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Pierre Krähenbühl. The announcement follows the launch of an investigation into misconduct allegations involving UNRWA's management. The FDFA notes the resignation and calls for a full and thorough clarification of the facts. Switzerland will withhold payment of its project contributions pending the outcome of the investigation.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization

05.11.2019 — EDA
Switzerland ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) precisely 20 years ago. To mark the occasion, Federal Councillor and Head of the FDFA Ignazio Cassis met with the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Lassina Zerbo, in Bern. During the meeting, Mr Cassis emphasised the CTBT’s indispensable role in building a world without nuclear weapons. The CTBTO works closely with scientific institutions, including the Swiss Seismological Service at ETH Zurich in Davos, to monitor compliance with the ban. These monitoring activities are also an example of how science and diplomacy can work together to solve political problems.