Switzerland is a member of the OSCE Troika

Local news, 31.01.2015

In the year following its Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Switzerland continues to take an active part at the helm of the organisation within the Troika as part of its commitment to maintain security and stability in the OSCE area. Together with Switzerland in the Troika are the current OSCE Chair, Serbia, and the country that takes over the Chairmanship in 2016, Germany.  Ukraine remains a major priority.

The OSCE Troika in 2015 is composed of Didier Burkhalter, Ivica Dačić and Frank-Walter Steinmeier. © MFA Serbia
The OSCE Troika in 2015 is composed of Didier Burkhalter, Ivica Dačić and Frank-Walter Steinmeier. © MFA Serbia

Switzerland held the OSCE Chairmanship in 2014 – for the second time since it first held the post in 1996. In 2015, Switzerland continues at the helm of the OSCE within the framework of the Troika, which comprises the current Chair, Serbia, the previous year's Chair, Switzerland, and the country that takes over the Chair in the following year, Germany. The purpose of the Troika is to ensure continuity in the OSCE's political priorities.

Of prime important for the OSCE is the need to continue in 2015 its efforts to de-escalate and overcome the crisis in Ukraine. Switzerland remains committed to finding a political solution to the conflict on the basis of the Minsk agreements of September 2014 that were negotiated between the Trilateral Contact Group and representatives of the separatist groups from eastern Ukraine. The Trilateral Contact Group comprises representatives of Ukraine and Russia. Ambassador Heidi Tagliavini of Switzerland continues to work in this body as special envoy of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.  Switzerland supports the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (SMMU) financially and by seconding experts. The SMMU was established on 21 March 2014 under the Swiss Chairmanship and with the agreement of all OSCE participating States.

The Ukraine crisis has brought to the surface a crisis of confidence among the participating States. For this reason Switzerland attaches great importance to cooperative security and restoring confidence within Europe. In close cooperation with Serbia and Germany, Switzerland set up a group of 15 eminent persons mandated to draw conclusions from the Ukraine crisis and to support the OSCE participating States in conducting an inclusive and constructive dialogue on security in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian region.

Local news, 16.09.2015

Switzerland has abolished the former visa category for Cabaret dancers. No more visas of this type are established as of September 1st, 2015.