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.

New Brexit deadline

28.10.2019 — Article DEA

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.

Dossier Brexit

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.

Switzerland and Slovenia stress strong ties and dynamic exchanges

19.09.2019 — Press release DEA
Slovenian President Borut Pahor paid an official visit to Switzerland on Thursday, 19 September. President Ueli Maurer and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received the Slovenian delegation at the Lohn country residence. Both sides stressed the strong ties between the two countries and the dynamic state of relations.

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

12.06.2013 — Press release DEA
Two decisions were adopted at the 4th meeting of the Switzerland/European Union Statistical Committee (Joint Committee) which took place in Geneva. One replaces Annex A of the bilateral agreement in the field of statistics with the European Union (EU) whereas the second approves the specific Switzerland/EU annual statistical programme for 2013. These decisions were approved by the Federal Council and enter into force immediately.

Swiss economy: between a rising domestic demand and subdued exports

11.06.2013 — Press release DEA

Bern, Economic forecasts from the Federal Government’s Expert Group – Summer 2013* - Despite the ongoing recession in the Euro zone, the Swiss economy continued to perform relatively well in the beginning of 2013. There is however still an imbalance between a robust domestic demand and subdued exports. This pattern of economic activity is likely to continue during the further course of the year. Growth dynamic should remain moderate overall and unemployment should continue to rise slightly. The Expert Group essentially reaffirms in June its assessment of a slow economic growth in 2013, with a GDP increase of 1.4%, a forecast mostly unchanged from last March. For 2014 it expects a broadly based economic recovery, extending to exports and the labour market (GDP-forecast: +2.1%). This does however assume a recovery in the global economy and, in particular, that the Euro zone will finally move out of recession, which is currently still surrounded by considerable uncertainty.

Meeting of the Joint Swiss-EU Committee in the Fields of Research and Euratom

06.06.2013 — Press release DEA
This year’s meeting of the Joint Committee between Switzerland and the EU in the areas of research and Euratom that took place in Brussels today provided an opportunity for mutual exchange on the implementation of existing agreements and for informal exchanges with regard to “Horizon 2020”, the new EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and to Euratom’s next programme. These two programmes are scheduled to begin on 1 January 2014. The issue of Swiss participation is currently being discussed in the Federal Assembly.

Federal Council invokes safeguard clause for EU-17 and EU-8 states (last modification, the 24.04.2013)

24.04.2013 — Press release DEA
In the coming 12 months, workers from EU states will have only restricted access to the Swiss labour market. The Federal Council decided today to invoke the safeguard clause contained in the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. The quotas apply to category B residence permits for persons from EU-8 states, and, provided the requirements are met by the end of May, from EU-17 states.

IMF supports Switzerland’s stability-oriented economic policy

18.03.2013 — Press release DEA

Bern, 18.03.2013 - In its preliminary findings, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) acknowledged Switzerland's stability-oriented fiscal and monetary policy. It is expecting growth to pick up only slightly this year. The IMF continues to see risks for Switzerland in developments in the euro area as well as in the fiscal policy of major advanced countries. It recommended that the SNB should maintain the exchange rate floor of CHF 1.20 per euro. It welcomed the advances made in financial sector regulation. Furthermore, the IMF supports the measures introduced since mid-2012 to stem the risks in the mortgage and real estate market.

Cross-border Commuter Statistics for 4th quarter 2012 – Continued increase in cross-border commuters

04.03.2013 — Press release DEA

Neuchâtel, According to the Cross-border Commuter Statistics of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the number of foreign cross-border commuters working in Switzerland rose by 4.8% last year. In the Lake Geneva region and in Northwestern Switzerland, about one in ten employed persons is a cross-border commuter; in Ticino, the figure is one in four. Comparing the numbers over a five-year period, there has been an above-average increase among office workers, unskilled workers and managers.

Continuing successful participation in EU Framework Programmes

27.02.2013 — Press release DEA

Berne, The Federal Council has referred to parliament two dispatches on funding for Swiss participation in the EU Framework Programmes in the areas of Research and Innovation on the one hand, and education, training, youth and sport on the other. The former is intended to give researchers in Switzerland continued access to the second most significant source of public funding and to the European research network. The second dispatch is designed to continue the mobility opportunities of students in education, training and on youth and sport courses. The total budget set in both dispatches is approximately 4.7 billion Swiss francs (including reserves) for the years 2014 to 2020. Their approval by parliament will allow the Federal Council to conduct negotiations with the EU on renewing both bilateral agreements.

Swiss project achieves FET Flagship status

28.01.2013 — Press release DEA

Bern, In the drive to secure EU research funding, Switzerland has achieved a leading position in the area of Future and Emerging Technologies. For Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, this confirms the strength of the Swiss education, research and innovation model. Research groups from both of Switzerland’s federal institutes of technology were involved in five (as project leaders in three) of the six FET Flagship project proposals that reached the final phase of the selection process. The EPFL’s “Human Brain Project” was one of the two projects chosen. Starting in 2013, this project will receive substantial FP7 and FP8 funding over a ten-year period.

Statistik 2012: Anstieg der Asylgesuche – Zunahme der Erledigungen und Ausreisen

22.01.2013 — Press release DEA

Bern - Im Jahr 2012 wurden 28 631 Asylgesuche in der Schweiz eingereicht, was einer Zunahme um 27 % gegenüber 2011 entspricht. Es wurden mehr Asylgesuche erledigt, wobei die erstinstanzlichen Erledigungen um 28 % zunahmen. Auch bei den Ausreisen war ein deutlicher Anstieg zu verzeichnen: Die kontrollierten Ausreisen auf freiwilliger Basis nahmen um 84 % zu, die Rückführungen in die Herkunfts- und Drittländer sowie in die Dublin-Staaten um 22 %.

Bilateral relations at the heart of foreign economic policy

09.01.2013 — Press release DEA

Bern, 09.01.2013 - On 9 January 2013 the Federal Council approved the 2012 Foreign Economic Policy Report. The report's main topic focusing on the importance of border regions from a business location and foreign economic policy perspective reaffirms the intention of the Federal Council to strengthen cross-border cooperation in border regions. The Federal Council regards such cooperation as vital to good relations both with Switzerland's neighbouring states and the European Union. Further progress has been made on free trade agreements with non-EU countries. In the year under review, issues relating to sustainability and raw materials continued to assume greater importance in foreign economic policy. Moreover, the strategic focus and financial basis for international development cooperation were confirmed.

Federal Council approves the 2012 Foreign Policy Report

09.01.2013 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 9 January 2013, the Federal Council approved the 2012 Foreign Policy Report. The report provides an overview on all aspects of Swiss foreign policy and gives an account of Switzerland’s most important foreign policy activities in 2012. It is structured to address the Federal Council’s foreign policy strategy for the period 2012-2015. In addition, it deals with the priority question of Switzerland’s relations with its neighbouring states.

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.

Switzerland to support the reform of the civilian security sector in Mali and Ukraine

13.04.2016 — DEA
Today, Switzerland and the European Union (EU) have signed two agreements on Switzerland's participation in EUCAP Sahel Mali, the EU's civilian mission for the reform of the security sector in Mali, and in EUAM Ukraine, the EU advisory mission for civilian security sector reform in Ukraine. These two agreements form the basis for the secondment of Swiss civilian experts to these missions.

EU and Swiss regulators sign confidentiality arrangement

22.07.2015 — Article DEA

Arrangements will improve oversight of medicines for better protection of public and animal health.

Popular vote Ecopop

30.11.2014 — Article DEA

In a popular vote held on 30 November 2014, 74.1% of the Swiss people and all the cantons have rejected the popular initiative «Stop overpopulation – safeguard our natural environment» (Ecopop initiative).

Switzerland takes further step towards introduction of automatic exchange of information

19.11.2014 — DEA
Today, the Federal Council approved a declaration on Switzerland joining the multilateral agreement on the automatic exchange of information in tax matters. This international agreement, which was developed within the framework of the OECD, forms a basis for the future introduction of the cross-border automatic exchange of information. The question regarding the countries with which Switzerland should introduce this exchange of data is not affected by the signing of the multilateral agreement; it will be presented to Parliament separately at a later stage.