All news (89)
State Secretary Alexandre Fasel leads third strategic partnership dialogue between Switzerland and US
17.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
State Secretary Alexandre Fasel received a US delegation for political consultations in Bern on 17 April. The delegation was led by Assistant Secretary James O'Brien, who is in charge of European and Eurasian affairs at the US Department of State. On the agenda were the many ongoing or recently concluded bilateral negotiations, particularly in the area of taxation, which are concrete examples of the dynamism of bilateral relations.
International space cooperation: Switzerland signs Artemis Accords
15.04.2024
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Press releases
Europa
On 15 April Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin signed the Artemis Accords in Washington on Switzerland’s behalf. The Artemis Accords are a political declaration of intent reflecting the signatory states' common understanding of the principles by which they intend to explore and use the moon, Mars and other celestial bodies.
Switzerland at 2024 IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings and G20 Finance Ministers Meeting in Washington
11.04.2024
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Press releases
Europa
Federal Councillors Karin Keller-Sutter and Guy Parmelin, together with Swiss National Bank Chairman Thomas Jordan, will attend the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington from 17 to 19 April 2024. A meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors, as well as a ministerial meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), will also take place as part of this gathering. In addition, the two Federal Councillors will take this opportunity to hold bilateral meetings.
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to travel to the USA with a science and business delegation
11.04.2024
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Press releases
Europa
The trip will take place from 15 to 17 April and focus on various economic, scientific and space-related topics. The programme in Washington DC includes talks with the NASA space agency and representatives of Swiss companies operating in the USA.
Beatrice Maser Mallor is Switzerland’s new representative at World Bank
21.02.2024
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Press releases
Europa
On 21 February the Federal Council named Beatrice Maser Mallor as Switzerland’s executive director at the World Bank in Washington DC and appointed her ambassador. From the summer of this year, Ms Maser Mallor (62) will take on the chair of the constituency headed by Switzerland. In 2026 to 2028, she will represent Switzerland as deputy executive director, when Poland takes on the chair.
Second year of war in Ukraine: Ignazio Cassis at UN headquarters in New York
20.02.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, will address the United Nations in New York on 22 and 23 February 2024 to mark the two-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine. He will take part in the UN Security Council and General Assembly debates on the situation in Ukraine, as well as a side event focusing on humanitarian mine action. He will also participate in various bilateral meetings.
Federal Council signs agreement on privileges and immunities with the foundation “Fund for the Afghan People”
01.02.2024
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Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council and the foundation “Fund for the Afghan People” (Afghan Fund) have signed an agreement on privileges and immunities of the Foundation in Switzerland, which entered into force on February 1, 2024. With this agreement, the Federal Council recognizes the international significance of the Afghan Fund and ensures the protection and preservation of the fund's assets in Switzerland.
New Swiss ambassadors
22.11.2023
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Press releases
EDA
A number of staff changes and conferments of ambassadorial titles have been announced for 2023/24 for several Swiss representations abroad and at the head office of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), and the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) as part of the usual transfer rotation and on the basis of appointments made by the Federal Council.
President Berset speaks at UN Security Council debate on Ukraine
20.09.2023
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Press releases
Europa
On 20 September, President Alain Berset attended a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine. Other highlights of his stay in New York during the opening week of the 78th UN General Assembly were Switzerland's address in the general debate and the Summit on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, which is held only once every four years.
Switzerland welcomes US-Iran prisoner swap
18.09.2023
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Press releases
EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) welcomes the humanitarian gesture of the US and Iran that has led to the successful exchange of five American and five Iranian prisoners, who can now go home to their families. Switzerland helped facilitate the prisoner exchange by providing its good offices. The FDFA would like to thank all the countries involved for the trust they placed in Switzerland.
Swiss Air Force to train with U.S. Air Force in Switzerland
18.09.2023
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Press releases
Europa
The Swiss Air Force and the U.S. Air Force will conduct a joint training exercise in Swiss airspace from 18–21 September 2023. The training is part of Switzerland's efforts to strengthen its defence capabilities through international cooperation.
Swiss diplomats from around the world meet to discuss foreign policy
21.08.2023
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Press releases
EDA
This year's Ambassadors and International Network Conference is taking place from 21 to 24 August 2023 in Bern. The unique forum allows diplomats from Switzerland's entire external network to discuss and help shape foreign policy documents and projects. This year's edition will focus on the 2024–27 foreign policy strategy.