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

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne

07.05.2021 — Press release EDA
On Friday 7 May 2021, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis held an official working meeting in Geneva with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne. Bilateral relations between the two countries and multilateral cooperation were the main topics of discussion.

COVID-19 in India: Switzerland sends hundreds of oxygen concentrators and 50 respirators

06.05.2021 — Press release EDA
Switzerland is supporting India in its fight against COVID-19. Swiss Humanitarian Aid has sent several hundred oxygen concentrators and 50 respirators, worth about CHF 3 million, to assist hospitals in India.

FDFA calls for Palestinian elections to be held without further delay

03.05.2021 — Press release EDA
The FDFA notes with regret the decision to postpone the Palestinian legislative and presidential elections, scheduled for 22 May and 31 July. Holding these elections is essential to restore the legitimacy of Palestinian institutions, re-establish Palestinian political unity and preserve a two-state solution. Switzerland calls for restraint during this volatile period and for a date for the elections to be set as soon as possible.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives Burundi's foreign minister in Bern

03.05.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received the foreign minister of Burundi, Albert Shingiro, on a courtesy visit to Bern on 3 May 2021. Switzerland has a long-standing bilateral and multilateral commitment to peace and sustainable development in Burundi. During his stay in Bern, Mr Shingiro also met with the deputy state secretary of the FDFA, the director general of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and the heads of the FDFA's Africa and Peace and Human Rights divisions.

Cancellation of the House of Switzerland at the Olympic Games in Tokyo

29.04.2021 — Press release EDA
The current health measures in Japan and the travel restrictions during the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo have compelled the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) to cancel the presence of the House of Switzerland in Tokyo this summer.

COVID-19: Switzerland is contributing CHF 300 million to global health protection

28.04.2021 — Press release EDA
Bern, 28 April 2021 – The Federal Council is committed to ensuring equitable access to vaccines, tests and medicines worldwide in order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic sustainably. Accordingly, it decided at its meeting today to support the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator initiative with CHF 300 million. This initiative aims to improve access to immunization, testing and medication in developing countries and bolster local healthcare systems.

COVID-19 in India: Switzerland sends aid to support Indian hospitals

28.04.2021 — Press release EDA
Switzerland is supporting India, which is facing a dramatic situation in the health sector due to the COVID-19 crisis. Switzerland's Humanitarian Aid will deliver several hundred oxygen concentrators and respirators. The Confederation has earmarked an amount of one million Swiss francs to provide this assistance within the next few days.

Commodities: Federal Council remains committed to a competitive, integrated business hub

21.04.2021 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council has approved on 21 April 2021 the first status report on the implementation of the recommendations of the 2018 report on the Swiss commodities sector, which shows that significant progress has been made in improving the framework conditions for the commodities sector, while at the same time strengthening its integrity.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives Belarusian Foreign Minister in Bern

20.04.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, received the Foreign Minister of Belarus, Uladzimir Makei, on a courtesy visit to Bern on 20 April 2021. Their talks focused on the current situation in Belarus and the case of Natallia Hersche, a Swiss-Belarusian dual citizen who is currently serving a prison term.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó

20.04.2021 — Press release EDA
On Tuesday 20 April 2021, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó, for an official working meeting in Bern. Their talks focused on bilateral relations, Hungary's upcoming chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, and the socio-political and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pierre von Arx appointed head of the OSCE mission in Uzbekistan

20.04.2021 — Press release EDA
The chairperson-in-office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Swedish foreign minister Ann Linde, has appointed Swiss diplomat Pierre von Arx as head of the OSCE mission in Uzbekistan.

Science diplomacy and cross-border cooperation focus of German-speaking foreign ministers' meeting in Lugano

16.04.2021 — Press release EDA
At the invitation of Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the annual meeting of foreign ministers from the five German-speaking countries took place today in Lugano. The talks focused on cross-border cooperation, including the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, science diplomacy in digital foreign policy and other topics of European and international interest.

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.