Working meeting in Bern between Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and Lithuanian Minister for Foreign Affairs Linas Antanas Linkevičius

15.11.2018 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has met his Lithuanian counterpart, Linas Antanas Linkevičius, at the Von Wattenwyl House in Bern. The talks focused on bilateral matters, European policy and security issues.

President Alain Berset visits Romania, next holder of EU Council presidency

01.11.2018 — Press release DEA
On Thursday, 1 November, President Berset paid a visit to Romania. The visit follows the tradition of establishing contact with the holder of the next EU Council presidency. Romania will assume the rotating six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first time in January. In addition to bilateral issues, the official talks with Romanian President Klaus Werner Iohannis focused primarily on European policy issues.

Switzerland and Malta reaffirm their ties

30.10.2018 — Press release EDA
Switzerland and Malta maintain good and increasingly intensive relations. This was emphasised by both sides during an official visit to Switzerland by Maltese President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca on Tuesday, 30 October. In addition to bilateral issues, Malta’s head of state and President Alain Berset discussed European and migration policy issues, as well as developments in the conflict areas of North Africa and the Middle East.

“Mind the gap”: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives British Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt in Bern

25.10.2018 — 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.

ESA ministerial Council sets the stage for the future

25.10.2018 — Press release DEA
The State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation Mauro Dell'Ambrogio participated in the ESA’s Intermediate Ministerial Meeting in Madrid today. This meeting brought together ministers in charge of space activities from the 22 ESA Member States, enabling ESA to prepare for the continuation of existing programmes and initiatives and launch new ones.

Federal Council to continue negotiations with EU under current mandate

28.09.2018 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 28 September 2018, the Federal Council – the executive branch of the Swiss government – conducted a fresh review of Switzerland's European policy strategy and decided to continue negotiations on an institutional agreement with the European Union (EU) as provided for under the current mandate. The Federal Council also wishes to maintain an ongoing dialogue with the social partners and the cantons. The government also adopted the dispatch on Switzerland's second contribution to the enlarged EU and a related dispatch on the revision of the Asylum Act.

ETH Board considers international cooperation and networking to be in jeopardy

27.09.2018 — Press release DEA
At its meeting of 26/27 September 2018, the ETH Board emphasised the great significance of international cooperation and networking for education, research and innovation. Without a framework agreement with the EU, there is a danger that Switzerland will be excluded from the EU’s research framework programmes. The Self-Determination Initiative, which will be put to the ballot in November, also jeopardises international cooperation and thus the success of the universities and of research in Switzerland.

Facts and figures on Switzerland’s participation in the European Framework Programmes for Research

20.09.2018 — Press release DEA
The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) today published a report on Switzerland’s involvement in the eighth European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (Horizon 2020; 2014–2020). This report shows that Swiss participation has recovered since 2016, but is weaker overall than in the previous programme generation (2007–2013). Several indicators bear witness to this decline. In the seventh programme (FP7), Swiss participations made up 3.2% of the total, whereas under Horizon 2020 this figure currently stands at only 2.4%; Switzerland’s share of coordinations has similarly fallen, from 3.9% to 2.6%; and funding received by Swiss research institutions has decreased from 4.3% under FP7 to 3.5% of all funds committed in the current programme to date. However, Switzerland’s thematic and institutional involvement in Horizon 2020 is very similar to that in FP7, with a slight increase in the degree of involvement of the ETH Domain and of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). Moreover, the quality and thus the success rate of research proposals from Switzerland remain very high.

Ignazio Cassis holds political talks in Bulgaria and visits project to promote vocational training

11.09.2018 — Press release EDA
On an official visit to Sofia, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva. Their talks focused on the experiences of the Bulgarian presidency of the EU Council, the status of institutional negotiations between Switzerland and the EU, and bilateral issues. Mr Cassis also visited a vocational training project in Sofia which Switzerland is supporting through its contribution to EU enlargement.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in Romania for talks on bilateral ties, linguistic minorities and Europe

10.09.2018 — Press release DEA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met today with Romanian Prime Minister Vasilica Viorica Dăncilă and Foreign Minister Teodor Meleșcanu in Bucharest during an official visit to the country. Talks centred on Romania's upcoming EU presidency, European policy, bilateral issues and Swiss-Romanian cooperation under the enlargement contribution. Prior to the talks, Mr Cassis met representatives of Romania's German-speaking minority in Sibiu/Hermannstadt.

Informal talks between Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and European Commissioner Johannes Hahn

24.08.2018 — Press release DEA
On Thursday 23 August 2018, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, who is responsible for relations with Switzerland at the European Commission, on the margins of the Salzburg Festival.                

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian pays official visit to Switzerland

24.08.2018 — Press release DEA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met France's Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian on 24 August 2018 for an official working visit to Bern, during which the two officials discussed European issues and topics of international concern. In the margins of the meeting, Foreign Minister Le Drian confirmed that President Macron would receive the President of the Confederation, Alain Berset, in Paris on 12 September 2018 for a working meeting.

President Alain Berset visits Latvia during its centenary year

14.05.2018 — Press release DEA
On Monday, 14 May, President Alain Berset was received in Latvia for a state visit. The Baltic republic is celebrating the centenary of its independence this year. The visit provides an opportunity to acknowledge the excellent bilateral relations that exist between the two countries and discuss ways of deepening them. The discussions also covered a range of international issues.

FTA transmits information on advance tax rulings to partner states for first time

08.05.2018 — Press release DEA
The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has for the first time transmitted information on advance tax rulings to spontaneous exchange of information partner states.

Federal Council receives German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier

25.04.2018 — Press release DEA
On Wednesday, 25 April, the German president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, arrived in Switzerland for a state visit, accompanied by his wife, Elke Büdenbender, and was greeted by the Federal Council, led by President Alain Berset. Official talks focused on bilateral relations, European policy, and cooperation between the two countries in an international context. Both sides stressed the advantages arising from their intensive cooperation.                

Federal Council agrees next steps in Switzerland–UK relations

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.

Consultation on a second Swiss contribution to EU-13 countries

28.03.2018 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 28 March 2018, the Federal Council decided to initiate the consultation procedure on a second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states. With this contribution, Switzerland aims to continue to contribute to the reduction of economic and social disparities in the EU member states. Last year, the Federal Council set two priorities for this contribution: vocational education and training and migration.

Federal Council wishes to secure jobs in long term with tax proposal 17

21.03.2018 — Press release DEA
During its meeting on 21 March 2018, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on tax proposal 17 (TP17). It wishes to quickly improve matters for domestic and foreign companies with the proposal, also on the basis of international developments in terms of corporate taxation. TP17 will make a decisive contribution to Switzerland being a competitive location and thus to added value, jobs and tax receipts for the Confederation, cantons and communes.

Research institutes and businesses given access to European funding initiative ECSEL

09.03.2018 — Press release DEA
On 9 March the Federal Council approved the agreement on Switzerland’s participation in the European funding initiative Joint Technology Initiative Electronic Components and Systems for European Leadership (JTI ECSEL). This initiative supports transboundary research and development projects in digitalisation, developing marketable products in the fields of micro- and nanoelectronics, system integration and intelligent systems. The project costs are met by the EU and by Switzerland; research institutions receive 70 per cent of their costs, SMEs between 50 and 60 per cent, and large corporations between 30 and 35 per cent.

Relations with the EU: Federal Council takes stock and clarifies the negotiating mandate

05.03.2018 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 2 March 2018, the Federal Council concluded the analysis it had started on 31 January and continued at its special meeting on 21 February. The object was to take stock of developments in Switzerland's relations with the European Union (EU) by reviewing the four years of negotiations on the institutional questions concerning EU market access. The Federal Council is seeking to improve these access conditions while respecting Swiss institutions and their independence. It thus set out its negotiating strategy and affirmed its commitment to proceed swiftly to ensure legal certainty for the export industry and for the stability of Switzerland's economy and our relations with the EU. The quality of the solutions put forward and the safeguarding of Swiss interests remain the criteria by which the Federal Council will determine the success of the negotiations.

Schengen/Dublin: economically and financially positive for Switzerland

22.02.2018 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 21 February 2018, the Federal Council adopted a report on the economic and financial consequences of Schengen/Dublin. The report concludes that Switzerland's participation in Schengen/Dublin is positive both from an economic and a financial perspective: the Schengen visa system and the abandonment of systematic border controls at internal borders, making travel easier, are of great importance for the Swiss economy, especially the border regions and the tourism sector. Because of the savings made possible by Dublin in the area of asylum, Schengen/Dublin has also been positive in financial terms.

Federal Council approves 2017 Foreign Policy Report

21.02.2018 — Press release DEA
The Federal Council approved the 2017 Foreign Policy Report at its meeting on 21 February 2018. The report gives an account of Switzerland's most important foreign policy activities in 2017 in the context of international developments.

Federal Council sets parameters for dispatch on tax proposal 17

31.01.2018 — Press release DEA
During its meeting on 31 January 2018, the Federal Council set the parameters for the dispatch on tax proposal 17. Based on the results of the consultation procedure, the Federal Council decided that the cantons' share of direct federal tax should be raised to 21.2%. The Federal Department of Finance (FDF) has been instructed to prepare the dispatch by the end of March.

Relations with the EU: The Federal Council examines new approaches to settling disputes

31.01.2018 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 31 January 2018, the Federal Council conducted an in-depth discussion on Swiss European policy. In particular, it discussed the current situation, the medium and long-term objectives of Swiss policy on the European Union (EU), and the way to proceed. The Federal Council would like to further develop Switzerland’s political and economic relations with the EU and for this reason is examining new approaches to settling disputes within the framework of negotiations. It is also mindful to develop solutions that find domestic support. In addition, it has appointed Roberto Balzaretti, currently head of the Directorate of International Law of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), as head of the Directorate of European Affairs (DEA). He will take up his new duties on 1 February 2018. In this capacity he will coordinate all the different negotiations under way with the EU. To carry out this task, he has been given the title of state secretary.

Official working visit to Brussels by Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann

30.03.2017 — DEA
On 30 March Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, the head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), met European Commission Vice President Andrus Ansip, who is responsible for the digital single market, and the Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmström. The main themes included cooperation in the field of digitalisation and bilateral trade relations, particularly updating the existing bilateral agreements.

Withholding tax agreement with United Kingdom to be terminated

14.11.2016 — DEA
The withholding tax agreement between Switzerland and the United Kingdom will be terminated on 1 January 2017. The agreement between Switzerland and the EU on the automatic exchange of information in tax matters will enter into force on that date. On 14 November 2016, Switzerland and the United Kingdom signed a corresponding agreement in London to ensure a smooth transition between the two models.

Withdrawal of Switzerland’s membership application to the EU - EU's reply

26.10.2016 — Article DEA

EU's reply letter of the 19.10.2016 (PDF, Page 1, 110.9 kB)

Swiss Government's letter of the 27.7.2016 (in French) (PDF, Page 1, 216.6 kB)

President Schneider-Ammann holds official talks with Maltese president and prime minister

10.09.2016 — DEA
President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann concluded his visit to Malta on Saturday by meeting Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. He was received for a state visit on Friday by the President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. The Republic of Malta will assume the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2017.

Federal Councillor Maurer at meeting of German-speaking finance ministers

23.08.2016 — DEA
Today, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer attended the informal working meeting of German-speaking finance ministers in Vaduz. He discussed current financial and fiscal policy issues with his counterparts Wolfgang Schäuble (Germany), Hans Jörg Schelling (Austria), Adrian Hasler (Liechtenstein) and Pierre Gramegna (Luxembourg).

Withdrawal of Switzerland’s membership application to the EU

27.07.2016 — Article DEA

Swiss Government's letter of the 27.7.2016 (in French) (PDF, Page 1, 216.6 kB)

Federal Council adopts dispatch on automatic exchange of tax information with eight states and territories

06.07.2016 — DEA
Today, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the introduction of the automatic exchange of financial account information with Iceland, Norway, Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man, Japan, Canada and the Republic of Korea, and submitted it to Parliament for approval. The proposal met with widespread approval in the consultation.

Federal Council extends transitional periods for financial market infrastructures

29.06.2016 — DEA
During its meeting today, the Federal Council adjusted the Financial Market Infrastructure Ordinance. The transitional periods for financial market infrastructures were extended by a year in line with developments in the EU.

United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union

24.06.2016 — Article DEA

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.

• FAQ Brexit
• Press Release FDFA: Brexit: FDFA Helpline offers advice for Swiss citizens

President Schneider-Ammann meets Slovakian president and prime minister

20.06.2016 — DEA
President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann travelled to Slovakia on Monday for a state visit where he was received in Bratislava by President Andrej Kiska. He also met the Slovakian prime minister, Robert Fico, economic affairs minister, Peter Žiga, and education minister, Peter Plavčan. In view of the fact that the visit is taking place shortly before Slovakia assumes the rotating presidency of the EU Council for the first time on 1 July, and a few days before the UK referendum, talks focused on European policy issues. The two presidents also attended the Business and Innovation Forum Slovakia-Switzerland 2016.

Everything ready for the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel

01.06.2016 — DEA
With the gathering this morning of the one thousand randomly selected representatives of the public for the first trips through the Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT), the opening festivities for the world's longest railway tunnel have begun. For the festival involving half a dozen heads of state and government, everything is ready. More than 2,000 individuals from the army, police, federal government, Swiss Federal Railways, AlpTransit Gotthard (ATG) and private companies are in action. In addition, 300 media professionals have been accredited from around 20 nations, including the USA, Canada, China, Japan, Kuwait and Chile as well as Switzerland's neighbouring countries.

Meeting of transport ministers in Lugano

31.05.2016 — DEA
Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard met the transport ministers of the Alpine countries today as part of the Zurich Process. The conference was held in Lugano this year to mark the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel. Transport ministers from the Alpine countries meet regularly to discuss issues of transport safety as well as the modal shift policy. The presidency passed from Slovenian infrastructure minister, Peter Gašperšič, to his Italian colleague Graziano Delrio.