Federal Council initiates consultation on extended European border and coast guard

13.12.2019 — Press release DEA
During its meeting on 13 December 2019, the Federal Council initiated the consultation on the adoption and implementation of the revised EU regulation on the European Border and Coast Guard. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) will thus be given a more robust mandate to work with the national authorities to better protect the external borders.

Linking of emissions trading schemes: Agreement ratified by Switzerland and EU

09.12.2019 — Press release DEA
The Agreement on the linking of the Swiss and EU emissions trading schemes (ETS) has been ratified by the representatives of both parties and will come into force on 1 January 2020. Linking the Swiss ETS with that of the EU will be beneficial for both environmental policy and the economy. From 2020 onwards, companies in the Swiss ETS will be able to trade emission allowances in the larger EU emissions market. In addition, emissions from civil aviation will be included in the Swiss ETS, as is already the case in the EU. The linking of the two schemes marks the first ETS linking between states anywhere in the world.

Federal Council adopts dispatch on the agreement between Switzerland and the UK on citizens’ rights

06.12.2019 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 6 December, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the agreement guaranteeing the existing rights of Swiss and UK citizens after the withdrawal of the UK from the EU. The agreement is part of the Federal Council’s ’Mind the Gap’ strategy.

Adaptation of the bilateral agreement in the area of statistics with the European Union

02.12.2019 — Press release DEA
During its 5th meeting held at Luxembourg on 2 December 2019, the Swiss-EU statistics committee adopted a decision concerning the revision of Annex A of the bilateral agreement in the area of statistics. This revision, which results from a decision of the Federal Council from 22 May 2019, thus makes it possible to continue the good statistical collaboration between Switzerland and the EU. The new Annex A comes into force with immediate effect.

Croatia’s EU Council presidency the focus of President Maurer’s visit

29.11.2019 — Press release DEA
The President of the Swiss Confederation Ueli Maurer travelled to Croatia on Friday, 29 November 2019, to visit President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović and other leading Croatian politicians. In the first six months of 2020, Croatia will hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first time. The discussions held during the visit thus focused on European policy issues.

ESA Ministerial Council Meeting: Switzerland to participate in new programmes and play a leading role in the removal of space debris

28.11.2019 — Press release DEA
On 27 and 28 November 2019, State Secretary Martina Hirayama attended the European Space Agency’s ESA Ministerial Council meeting in Seville (“Space 19+”). At this meeting, which brought together the ministers in charge of space affairs from the 22 ESA Member States, the Council conferred on ongoing programmes, new initiatives, and agreed on the Agency’s budget for the next three years.

Switzerland receives Liechtenstein's new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justice and Culture on her first official visit abroad

28.11.2019 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, received Liechtenstein's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justice and Culture Katrin Eggenberger in Bern on Thursday during her official working visit. The two foreign ministers discussed a number of topics, including this year's centenary of bilateral relations between Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. They also exchanged views on EU relations and on various current international issues.

New slides provide handy, up-to-date information on Switzerland’s European policy

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.

Guy Parmelin and Ignazio Cassis receive heads of government of the International Lake Constance Conference

21.11.2019 — Press release DEA
Federal Councillors Guy Parmelin and Ignazio Cassis held talks with the heads of government of the International Lake Constance Conference in Bern on 21 November. Talks focused on cross-border cooperation in the Lake Constance area, the New Regional Policy of the Federal Government and Switzerland's European policy.

Linking of the Swiss and EU emissions trading systems: Federal Council approves revision of the CO2 Ordinance

13.11.2019 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 13 November 2019, the Federal Council approved the revised Ordinance on the Reduction of CO2 Emissions. This, together with the amendment to the CO2 Act adopted in March 2019 and the agreement with the EU, will enter into force on 1 January 2020. From 2020, emissions from civil aviation and fossil fuel power stations will also be included in the Swiss ETS, as is already the case in the EU. Linking the two schemes allows companies in the Swiss ETS to trade emission allowances in the larger EU emissions market.

Swiss-Austrian high-level meeting to share information and perspectives on higher education, research and innovation

23.09.2019 — Press release DEA
On 23 September 2019, the head of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, Ms Martina Hirayama, met with the head of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research, Ms Iris Rauskala, in Bern to share information and perspectives. Given the considerable importance of cooperation in education, research and innovation (ERI) for both countries, dialogue between Switzerland and Austria takes place at regular intervals. The next meeting will be held in Austria in 2021.

Switzerland and the Netherlands present initiative for climate-friendly investments

20.09.2019 — Press release DEA
On 21 September 2019, ahead of the UN Climate Action Summit in New York, Switzerland and the Netherlands will present an initiative on how public and private investments can be tested for climate compatibility and aligned with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's 1.5 °C target. The initiative is based on a successful pilot project in Switzerland.

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.

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.

New director of Directorate for European Affairs and other appointments

31.01.2018 — Press release DEA
Personnel changes will take place in 2018 at several Swiss representations abroad and at the head office of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in Bern, within the framework of the usual transfer rotation based on appointments made by the Federal Council. The appointment of heads of mission abroad becomes effective following approval by the respective host state.

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.

International cooperation, the economy and Europe the focal points of President Alain Berset’s discussions in Davos

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.

Federal Councillor Cassis meets with Malta's Foreign Minister Abela in Bern (last modification, the 16.01.2018)

16.01.2018 — Press release DEA
Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, has hosted his Maltese counterpart, Foreign Minister Carmelo Abela, on an official visit to Bern. The discussions centred on European policy, bilateral matters and the situation in the Mediterranean region.

Federal Councillor Maurer visits Bulgaria

05.01.2018 — Press release DEA
On 5 January, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer met Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov in Sofia for a working visit.

Statement by President Doris Leuthard on the EU’s decision regarding stock market equivalence

21.12.2017 — Press release DEA
The Federal Council has addressed the issue of stock market equivalence on a number of occasions. In recent days and weeks, Switzerland has made approaches at various levels. It has made its position clear, in particular to member states, the Commission and the Commission president. That position is that Switzerland fulfils the conditions for recognition of stock market equivalence every bit as much as the other third countries that have been granted indefinite recognition. Switzerland therefore considers this limited recognition to be a clear case of discrimination. The linking of this technical dossier with institutional issues is extraneous and unacceptable.

New slides provide handy, up-to-date information on Switzerland’s European policy

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.

Ignazio Cassis discusses Cyprus question and Syrian crisis with Turkish counterpart

12.07.2019 — EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, culminated his trip to the eastern Mediterranean with a visit to Turkey. During his meeting with Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in Ankara, he spoke, among other things, about the open Cyprus question, human rights, and developments in Syria and their consequences for the region and Europe.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visits Samos refugee camp and meets new Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs

10.07.2019 — EDA
Mr Cassis's visit to Greece has mainly been concerned with the situation of refugees and the challenges posed by migration. On Tuesday, the head of the FDFA visited the refugee camp on Samos and today met Nikos Dendias, who was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs this week, and President Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis proposes Switzerland's good offices to Cyprus

09.07.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis's visit to Nicosia was marked by the Cyprus question, which has remained unresolved for decades. After a visit to the buffer zone between the north and the south of the island on Monday, Mr Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, met today with Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulides.

Switzerland and France give go-ahead to implementation of EuroAirport agreement

19.12.2017 — EDA
At their first meeting, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian brought the issue of the tax regime at Basel-Mulhouse (EuroAirport) to a conclusion: the agreement regulating Swiss companies operating at EuroAirport will be applicable from next year. The two foreign ministers' working meeting also focused on other bilateral issues, the situation in Europe and Switzerland's policy with regard to the EU.

EU-Switzerland Financial Regulatory Dialogue held in Bern

19.10.2017 — DEA
The Swiss State Secretariat for International Financial Matters and the European Commission held their 2017 Financial Regulatory Dialogue on October 19 in Berne. The Dialogue was co-chaired by Jörg Gasser, State Secretary for International Financial Matters, and Olivier Guersent, European Commission's Director General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union. Participants included staff from the European Commission, European Supervisory Authorities, Single Resolution Board, the Swiss federal administration, the Swiss National Bank and the Swiss Financial Supervisory Authority FINMA.

European Parliament’s PANA Committee to visit Switzerland

15.09.2017 — DEA
The Swiss authorities will receive a delegation from the European Parliament's PANA Committee on 15 September. The focus of the talks will be the current system and the ongoing work to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and tax offences.

Switzerland once again a full member of partnership-funded EU innovation programmes

23.08.2017 — DEA
On 23 August, the Federal Council approved the agreements on Switzerland’s participation in the Eurostars-2 and the Active and Assisted Living research and development programmes. This means that Switzerland is once again a full member of both programmes and is co-financed by the EU. The programmes are particularly interesting for research-intensive SMEs looking to enter new European or global markets through cross-border cooperation. Switzerland’s participation in the AAL programme is one of the many measures that form part of the federal government’s Skilled Workers Initiative.

Emissions trading scheme: acquisition of aviation data in 2018

02.06.2017 — DEA
The integration of greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation sector into the emissions trading scheme (ETS) is a necessary step in order to link the Swiss and European schemes. At its session on 2 June 2017 the Federal Council approved the Ordinance governing the acquisition and reporting of data from the aviation sector. In line with the intention of the European Union, it is only domestic flights in Switzerland or flights from Switzerland to member states of the European Economic Area (EEA) that are concerned.

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)