Here you will find media information on matters concerning European policy. Press releases and other information for the media from the various federal departments and offices can be accessed via the Federal Administration’s media portal.
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14.12.2018
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Press release
DEA
At its meeting on 14 December the Federal Council approved the text of a trade agreement with the UK aiming to maintain existing economic and trade relations with the country after its departure from the European Union. The conclusion of this agreement forms part of the Federal Council’s ‘Mind the Gap’ strategy.
25.10.2018
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Press release
DEA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met his British counterpart Jeremy Hunt in Bern for bilateral talks. During a working breakfast, the two foreign ministers discussed, among other things, the status of the Brexit negotiations. They also discussed the Federal Council's 'Mind the gap' strategy, which aims to ensure that bilateral relations between Switzerland and the United Kingdom continue as smoothly as possible after the UK's departure from the EU.
25.04.2018
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Press release
DEA
The Federal Council wishes to ensure that the existing mutual rights and obligations between Switzerland and the UK will continue to apply after the UK leaves the EU. In view of the EU-UK transition period, the Federal Council has, at its meeting on 25 April 2018,adjusted its Mind the Gap Strategy adopted in October 2016 and introduced the next steps to be taken.
26.01.2018
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Press release
DEA
President Alain Berset held lengthy talks with around a dozen heads of state and government on the fringes of this year’s WEF Annual Meeting. The main topics addressed during the discussions included international cooperation, economic and trade contacts, and Switzerland’s relations with the European Union and the UK.
23.11.2017
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Press release
DEA
President Doris Leuthard met with the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker today in Bern. Ms Leuthard, who was accompanied by Federal Councillors Alain Berset and Ignazio Cassis, and Mr Juncker reiterated the importance and diversity of bilateral relations between Switzerland and the European Union (EU). They drew a positive assessment of the progress made this year in several areas and agreed on the next steps. Ms Leuthard and Mr Juncker also reiterated their desire to develop the bilateral approach.
Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), is attending the annual meeting of the ministers of economic affairs and of finance of EFTA and the EU (ECOFIN) in Brussels on 7 November 2017. He is also meeting two Vice Presidents of the European Commission, Andrus Ansip and Jyrki Katainen.
31.03.2017
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Press release
DEA
On 31 March, Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann met Liam Fox, the UK’s Secretary of State for International Trade, for a working meeting on the future shape of bilateral economic relations following Brexit. The head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) also met with Andrea Leadsom, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The electorate of the United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union in a referendum. The current regulations regarding Swiss citizens and companies will remain valid for the time being. A list of answers to frequently asked questions is available on the website of the DEA.
25.04.2018 —
Press release
DEA
The Federal Council wishes to ensure that the existing mutual rights and obligations between Switzerland and the UK will continue to apply after the UK leaves the EU. In view of the EU-UK transition period, the Federal Council has, at its meeting on 25 April 2018,adjusted its Mind the Gap Strategy adopted in October 2016 and introduced the next steps to be taken.
26.01.2018 —
Press release
DEA
President Alain Berset held lengthy talks with around a dozen heads of state and government on the fringes of this year’s WEF Annual Meeting. The main topics addressed during the discussions included international cooperation, economic and trade contacts, and Switzerland’s relations with the European Union and the UK.
23.11.2017 —
Press release
DEA
President Doris Leuthard met with the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker today in Bern. Ms Leuthard, who was accompanied by Federal Councillors Alain Berset and Ignazio Cassis, and Mr Juncker reiterated the importance and diversity of bilateral relations between Switzerland and the European Union (EU). They drew a positive assessment of the progress made this year in several areas and agreed on the next steps. Ms Leuthard and Mr Juncker also reiterated their desire to develop the bilateral approach.
Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), is attending the annual meeting of the ministers of economic affairs and of finance of EFTA and the EU (ECOFIN) in Brussels on 7 November 2017. He is also meeting two Vice Presidents of the European Commission, Andrus Ansip and Jyrki Katainen.
31.03.2017 —
Press release
DEA
On 31 March, Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann met Liam Fox, the UK’s Secretary of State for International Trade, for a working meeting on the future shape of bilateral economic relations following Brexit. The head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) also met with Andrea Leadsom, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
26.11.2019 —
Article
DEA
Switzerland enjoys close, important and diverse relations with the European Union. They are based on the bilateral approach and influence many aspects of citizens’ lives, both in Switzerland and in the EU.
Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK) are linked by a close and important partnership, which today is largely based on the bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU. After the UK has left the EU, these treaties will no longer be applicable, at the latest after a transitional period. In the context of its ‘Mind the gap’ strategy, Switzerland has concluded a number of new agreements with the UK. This ‘Mind the gap’ strategy aims to secure and, where appropriate, extend existing mutual rights and obligations. They cover, among others, trade, migration, road and air transport and insurances.
The electorate of the United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union in a referendum. The current regulations regarding Swiss citizens and companies will remain valid for the time being. A list of answers to frequently asked questions is available on the website of the DEA.