Swiss budget for Syrians in desperate need increased by CHF 20 million

23.09.2014 — Press release Slovakia

Bern, 23.09.2014 - To improve the desperate situation of people affected by the conflict in Syria, Switzerland’s Humanitarian Aid has increased its support measures both for people in Syria and the over three million refugees in the neighbouring states. Switzerland’s budget since the start of the Syrian crisis totals CHF 105 million.

Switzerland takes further measures to fight the Ebola epidemic

23.09.2014 — Press release Slovakia

Bern, 23.09.2014 - Switzerland is making an additional CHF 5 million available to support efforts to prevent the further spread of the Ebola epidemic and provide the people living in affected countries with the assistance they need. This announcement was made by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, in New York in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly. The contribution is intended to support Switzerland's multilateral partner organisations in the field of humanitarian aid in their activities in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, as well as its bilateral aid projects in Liberia.

Switzerland promotes tourism in Slovakia

07.07.2014 — Press release Slovakia

The high point of a regional development project in Slovakia was the official opening of a tourist information centre on 28 June 2014. The centre is located in the Slovak Paradise (Slovenský raj) National Park, which attracts some 700,000 visitors every year. The aim of the project is to promote tourism in this high potential region and to create jobs and opportunities for the local people.

La Svizzera promuove il turismo in Slovacchia

03.07.2014 — Article EB

Il 28 giugno 2014 ha aperto ufficialmente i battenti in Slovacchia un centro d’informazione turistica che rappresenta il fulcro del progetto di sviluppo regionale nel Paese. Il centro si trova nel Parco nazionale del Paradiso slovacco (Slovenský raj), che attira ogni anno 700’000 visitatori. Scopo del progetto è promuovere il turismo in questa promettente regione e creare così nuovi posti di lavoro e nuove opportunità per la popolazione locale.

Biosphere reserve as an advantage

07.02.2014 — Press release Slovakia

The Swiss – Slovak partnership project ‘Nature to people − people to nature’ was launched with a seminar on 6 February 2014.

The Poľana Mountains Protected Landscape Area is an UNESCO biosphere reserve since 1990. The middle Slovakian NGO "o.z. Pronatur" is implementing a project focused on fully utilising the advantages of the region's biosphere-reserve status and of concepts behind the biosphere idea.

Official talks with Slovakian foreign minister Miroslav Lajčák

09.01.2014 — Press release EDA
After taking part in the cantonal governments' annual seminar in Interlaken, President of the Confederation and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter met the Slovakian foreign minister, Miroslav Lajčák, for an official working lunch. The discussions centred on bilateral relations, relations with the EU, the Swiss OSCE chairmanship and international issues.

Un impegno da 67 milioni nella Repubblica slovacca

06.01.2014 — Article EB
Formazione, integrazione dei Rom, aiuto ai senzatetto, salvaguardia degli ecosistemi, gestione delle acque reflue: con un budget di 67 milioni di franchi, la cooperazione svizzera è impegnata su vari fronti nella Repubblica slovacca. Qui di seguito sono riportati alcuni progetti in corso al momento della visita in Svizzera del ministro degli affari esteri slovacco Miroslav Lajčák il 9 gennaio 2014.

Swiss government names new Ambassadors

13.11.2013 — Press release EDA
The Swiss government (Federal Council) has approved the list of diplomatic staff transfers scheduled for 2014 submitted by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. The changes will be made in accordance with the normal rate of transfers, to be communicated at the time of the decision by the Federal Council. The appointments of Heads of Mission take effect as soon as the authorities in the host country communicate their approval. The Federal Council takes this opportunity to express its gratitude to the Ambassadors due to retire for the services rendered.

Bratislava: The Head of the FDFA meets with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic

14.08.2013 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter is travelling to Slovakia on Thursday, 15 August 2013, for a working visit, during which he will in particular be meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Minister of Foreign Affairs Miroslav Lajcak. Some of the principal items on the discussion agenda include Switzerland’s relations with the European Union, the Swiss 2014 Chairmanship of the OSCE, the Swiss contribution to EU enlargement, and cooperation in the issuing of visas.

Switzerland

31.05.2013 — Press release EDA
More than 200 projects are now being implemented as part of the enlargement contribution. At the annual conference of Swiss Cooperation with Eastern Europe on 31 May 2013 in Bern, government representatives and experts from Switzerland and abroad discussed the importance and the impact of these projects. About 750 people took part in the annual conference in the Hotel National, an exceptionally high turnout.

Official visit of the President of Slovakia

10.09.2012 — Press release EDA
President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf received the President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič in Bern on an official visit. President Gašparovič was accompanied by the Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Miroslav Lajčák, who met his opposite number Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter for a working meeting. Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann met the Slovak Minister for Economic Affairs Tomáš Malatinský, who was also part of the official delegation.

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.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis discusses multilateral cooperation and security in Europe with Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajčák

16.05.2019 — Press release EDA
Mr Cassis, who is the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), has met Mr Lajčák in Bratislava during a working visit to Slovakia. Both foreign ministers highlighted the positive development of their countries bilateral ties and discussed the institutional agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU). Talks concerning multilateral cooperation focused on security in Europe and the work of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Mr Lajčák is the current Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE. Slovakia also currently holds the presidency of the Visegrad Group (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland) and will soon assume the chairmanship of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Contributo all’allargamento: bilancio positivo dopo 10 anni

19.06.2017 — Press release EB
Il 14 giugno 2017 è scaduto il termine di attuazione di dieci anni del contributo svizzero all’allargamento ai dieci Paesi dell’Europa centrale e dell’Est entrati a far parte dell’UE nel 2004. La Svizzera ha realizzato complessivamente 210 progetti con il fondo di un miliardo di franchi approvato dal Parlamento, fornendo così un contributo solidale alla riduzione delle disparità economiche e sociali nell’UE.

Switzerland’s enlargement contribution rated highly

21.03.2016 — Press release EDA
An independent evaluation has confirmed the federal authorities responsible have achieved good results in implementing Switzerland’s enlargement contribution to the new EU member states. The in-depth assessment showed that the projects, of which there are some 300, are making a positive contribution towards promoting social and economic development in the 13 partner states. The objectives are being attained or even exceeded in the vast majority of projects. Various recommendations encourage further efficiency and greater thematic and geographic focus.

Swiss-EU relations at the focus of visit to Malta and Slovakia by the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

09.03.2016 — Press release EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Didier Burkhalter, met with his Maltese counterpart George W. Vella on Wednesday in Valletta. The two foreign ministers mainly discussed the issue of Switzerland's relationship with the European Union (EU) and the political situation in the Mediterranean region. The Federal Councillor then gave a speech at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies on mediation and Switzerland's policy of providing good offices.

Official working visit to Switzerland by the Slovak foreign minister

25.06.2015 — Press release EDA
On Thursday, 25 June 2015, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter received Slovakia ’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miroslav Lajčák, for an official visit to Switzerland. In addition to bilateral relations, the main agenda item was Switzerland’s policy on the European Union (EU). Slovakia will assume the presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2016. Talks also covered various regional and multilateral issues as well as current international affairs. Afterwards, Mr Lajčák paid the President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, a courtesy visit.

Visegrad summit: Switzerland strengthens dialogue and cooperation with Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary

09.12.2014 — Press release EDA
At his meeting with Prime Ministers Robert Fico (Slovakia), Bohuslav Sobotka (Czech Republic), Ewa Kopacz (Poland) and Viktor Orban (Hungary) at the Visegrad summit in Bratislava, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, and his partners adopted a declaration providing for a regular exchange of views and seeking to promote the development of joint initiatives in areas such as education, research and economic cooperation. President Burkhalter also used his stay in Bratislava to hold bilateral talks with Slovakia's President, Andrej Kiska, Prime Minister Robert Fico and Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak.

Political talks, innovation and regional cooperation: Swiss President Didier Burkhalter visits Slovakia

08.12.2014 — Press release EDA
On Tuesday 9 December 2014, President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter will take part in the summit of the Visegrad Group, which comprises Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary alongside Slovakia. The Visegrad countries will be represented in Bratislava by their prime ministers. In addition, Mr Burkhalter is to meet with Slovakian President Andrej Kiska, Prime Minister Robert Fico and Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák for bilateral talks.

“It’s by talking with people from the local population that you see how effective development cooperation is“

29.09.2014 — Press release Slovakia

Martin Dahinden served as head of the SDC from 2008 to 2014. At the end of September 2014, he leaves Switzerland to become the country’s new ambassador in Washington. In this interview, Martin Dahinden looks back on his years with the SDC, recalls personal highlights, talks about the changes in Swiss development cooperation over the years, and names future challenges.

Switzerland’s role in negotiations for a new development agenda: building bridges, influencing outcomes, offering concrete proposals

25.09.2014 — Press release Slovakia

The UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will expire in 2015. Switzerland is working with the international community towards developing new global development goals. Ambassador Michael Gerber, special representative for global sustainable development, is representing Switzerland at the international negotiations for the post-2015 development agenda. In this interview he looks back on the MDGs, highlights what is different about the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and talks about Switzerland’s position.

Swiss budget for Syrians in desperate need increased by CHF 20 million

23.09.2014 — Press release Slovakia

Bern, 23.09.2014 - To improve the desperate situation of people affected by the conflict in Syria, Switzerland’s Humanitarian Aid has increased its support measures both for people in Syria and the over three million refugees in the neighbouring states. Switzerland’s budget since the start of the Syrian crisis totals CHF 105 million.

Switzerland takes further measures to fight the Ebola epidemic

23.09.2014 — Press release Slovakia

Bern, 23.09.2014 - Switzerland is making an additional CHF 5 million available to support efforts to prevent the further spread of the Ebola epidemic and provide the people living in affected countries with the assistance they need. This announcement was made by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, in New York in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly. The contribution is intended to support Switzerland's multilateral partner organisations in the field of humanitarian aid in their activities in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, as well as its bilateral aid projects in Liberia.

Un miliardo ben investito

05.06.2018 — Article EB
I dieci Paesi che hanno aderito all’Unione europea nel 2004 hanno concluso i progetti svolti nel quadro del contributo all’allargamento. La SECO e la DSC tracciano un bilancio e pubblicano i risultati nel rapporto annuale 2017. I progetti hanno notevolmente contribuito alla riduzione delle disparità sociali ed economiche in Europa. La Svizzera ha potuto apportare le proprie conoscenze specifiche in numerosi progetti.

Procedura di consultazione su un secondo contributo svizzero

28.03.2018 — Article EB
In occasione della sua seduta del 28 marzo 2018 il Consiglio federale ha deciso di avviare la procedura di consultazione su un secondo contributo della Svizzera ad alcuni Stati dell’Unione europea, volto a ridurre, anche in futuro, le disparità economiche e sociali nell’UE. Le priorità tematiche di questo contributo, formazione professionale e migrazione, erano già state fissate dal Consiglio federale lo scorso anno

La Svizzera promuove il turismo in Slovacchia

03.07.2014 — Article EB

Il 28 giugno 2014 ha aperto ufficialmente i battenti in Slovacchia un centro d’informazione turistica che rappresenta il fulcro del progetto di sviluppo regionale nel Paese. Il centro si trova nel Parco nazionale del Paradiso slovacco (Slovenský raj), che attira ogni anno 700’000 visitatori. Scopo del progetto è promuovere il turismo in questa promettente regione e creare così nuovi posti di lavoro e nuove opportunità per la popolazione locale.

Un impegno da 67 milioni nella Repubblica slovacca

06.01.2014 — Article EB
Formazione, integrazione dei Rom, aiuto ai senzatetto, salvaguardia degli ecosistemi, gestione delle acque reflue: con un budget di 67 milioni di franchi, la cooperazione svizzera è impegnata su vari fronti nella Repubblica slovacca. Qui di seguito sono riportati alcuni progetti in corso al momento della visita in Svizzera del ministro degli affari esteri slovacco Miroslav Lajčák il 9 gennaio 2014.