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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 — Press release 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.

Close, dynamic relations between Switzerland and Croatia

08.07.2019 — Press release DEA
Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović paid an official visit to Switzerland on Monday, 8 July. Relations between the two countries are good and this is reflected in the fact that around 30,000 Croatian nationals live in Switzerland and that some 300,000 Swiss tourists visit Croatia every year. Croatia is also Switzerland’s second most important trade partner in southeast Europe; last year, the volume of bilateral trade reached an all-time high. The visit by President Grabar-Kitarović took place prior to Croatia assuming the EU Council presidency for the first time.

AVIS28: a report to outline Switzerland's future foreign policy

02.07.2019 — Press release EDA
The AVIS28 Working Group set up by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in October 2018 submitted its report in Bern today. Entitled 'Switzerland in the world in 2028', the document analyses the challenges ahead and proposes a range of options for adapting Swiss foreign policy instruments to future realities. To consolidate Switzerland's position in an increasingly unstable world, the working group recommends developing a whole-of-Switzerland approach involving all national stakeholders, as well as a more targeted, better interconnected and more reactive foreign policy.

FDF activates protective measure to protect stock exchange infrastructure

27.06.2019 — Press release DEA
As announced last Monday, 24 June 2019, the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) updated the list of jurisdictions that restrict their market participants in trading equity securities of companies with registered office in Switzerland today, Thursday, 27 June 2019. The new list will apply from Monday, 1 July 2019. The FDF is thereby activating the measure to protect the Swiss stock exchange infrastructure.

FDF prepared to activate measure to protect Swiss stock exchange infrastructure

24.06.2019 — Press release DEA
The stock market equivalence granted by the European Commission to Switzerland for a limited period expires at the end of June. In order to create clarity for market participants, today the Federal Department of Finance FDF is notifying that it will activate the measure to protect the Swiss stock exchange infrastructure in the event of non-extension.

Record efficiency for a gas engine

20.06.2019 — Press release DEA
At the end of May, the final meeting of the "Horizon 2020" project "GasOn" with the EU Commission took place in Brussels. The aim of this EU project was the further development of gas engines for cars and vans. Around 20 partners participated, including ETH Zurich and Empa as well as four European automobile manufacturers and well-known suppliers. Gas-powered vehicles generally emit less pollutants than petrol or diesel cars. They are likely to gain importance in the future due to their possibility of being powered by renewable energy.

Institutional agreement Switzerland-EU: Federal Council to demand clarifications

07.06.2019 — Press release DEA
The Federal Council intends to consolidate and further develop the bilateral approach, the cornerstone of relations between Switzerland and the EU. This also requires the search for solutions to the institutional issues. At its meeting of 7 June 2019, it approved the report on the consultations on the institutional agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) and decided to demand clarifications. The Federal Council also underlined that maintaining the current level of wage protection was a key Swiss demand and that the social partners and the cantons would be closely involved in the next steps of the process.

ESA and EU member states highlight the importance of the space sector

28.05.2019 — Press release DEA
The State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, Martina Hirayama, participated to the ‘Space Council’ of ESA and EU member states in Brussels today. A joint resolution entitled ‘Space as an Enabler’ was adopted, emphasising the role of space as a significant socio-economic tool, its importance in expanding the frontiers of knowledge, and its contribution to the development and implementation of policy in various sectors.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis discusses multilateral cooperation and security in Europe with Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajčák

16.05.2019 — Press release DEA
Mr Cassis, who is the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), has met Mr Lajčák in Bratislava during a working visit to Slovakia. Both foreign ministers highlighted the positive development of their countries bilateral ties and discussed the institutional agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU). Talks concerning multilateral cooperation focused on security in Europe and the work of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Mr Lajčák is the current Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE. Slovakia also currently holds the presidency of the Visegrad Group (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland) and will soon assume the chairmanship of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Brexit: Federal Council opens consultation proceedings on trade agreement between Switzerland and the UK

15.05.2019 — Press release DEA
On 15 May the Federal Council opened consultation proceedings on the trade agreement with the United Kingdom and on an additional agreement extending the provisions of the trade agreement to the Principality of Liechtenstein. The agreements are intended to ensure to a large extent the continuation of existing trade relations after the UK’s departure from the European Union.

President Ueli Maurer travels to Poland to mark anniversary of diplomatic relations

14.05.2019 — Press release DEA
Switzerland and the Republic of Poland, which was restored after the First World War, established diplomatic relations 100 years ago. To mark the occasion, President Ueli Maurer travelled to Warsaw on Tuesday, 14 May, where he was received by Polish President Andrzej Duda.

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Coronavirus: Switzerland to reopen its borders with all EU/EFTA states on 15 June

05.06.2020 — Press release DEA
Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter informed the Federal Council at its meeting on 5 June that the Federal Department of Justice and Police FDJP intends to lift the existing entry restrictions applicable with regard to all EU/EFTA states and the United Kingdom as of 15 June.

Coronavirus: Easing of travel restrictions between Austria, Germany and Switzerland

15.05.2020 — Press release DEA
Bern-Wabern, 15.05.2020 - The borders between Switzerland, Germany and Austria are to open again for unmarried couples in long-term cross-border relationships, and for those wishing to visit relatives or attend important family events. Restrictions will also be lifted for people who own a property for personal use, tend allotments, or maintain agricultural or hunting land or woodland. People needing to take care of animals may also cross the border.

Coronavirus: Am 27. September 2020 findet eine eidgenössische Volksabstimmung statt

29.04.2020 — Press release DEA
Der Bundesrat hat entschieden, dass am 27. September 2020 über fünf eidgenössische Vorlagen abgestimmt werden soll: die Begrenzungsinitiative, das Jagdgesetz, die Steuerabzüge für Kinder, den Vaterschaftsurlaub und die Beschaffung neuer Kampfflugzeuge. Zudem hat er entschieden, den geltenden Fristenstillstand für eidgenössische Volksbegehren nicht über den 31. Mai hinaus zu verlängern.

Coronavirus: Restrictions on entry to be gradually relaxed from 11 May

29.04.2020 — Press release DEA
The Federal Council plans to gradually relax the restrictions on entry imposed as a result of the coronavirus crisis in step with the gradual reopening of the economy. From 11 May onwards, applications submitted by workers from the EU/EFTA and third countries before 25 March will be processed (the backlog will be reduced). From this date, it should also be possible for family members of Swiss citizens and EU citizens to enter Switzerland. Border controls, however, will remain in place. The Federal Council has tasked the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) with preparing these measures to ease the lockdown.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis calls for coordinated easing of COVID-19 restrictions

21.04.2020 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, met by videoconference earlier today, 21 April, with his counterparts from the other German-speaking countries. He called on neighbouring countries and the EU to proceed in a coordinated manner to ease COVID-19 restrictions as quickly as possible. He also thanked his counterparts for the excellent cooperation which made the repatriation flights to bring Swiss and foreign citizens home possible.

Swiss travellers abroad should register on the "Travel Admin App”

19.03.2020 — Press release EDA
Earlier this week, the Federal Council called on Swiss travellers to return home quickly. In order to better support those who are still blocked abroad, they should register on the "Travel Admin App" of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA.

Bundesrat verschärft Massnahmen gegen das Coronavirus zum Schutz der Gesundheit und unterstützt betroffene Branchen

13.03.2020 — Press release EDA
Um die Ausbreitung des Coronavirus in der Schweiz einzudämmen und um die Bevölkerung und die Gesundheitsversorgung zu schützen, hat der Bundesrat an seiner Sitzung vom 13. März 2020 weitere Massnahmen beschlossen: Er verbietet ab sofort und bis Ende April Veranstaltungen mit mehr als 100 Personen, in Restaurants, Bars und Diskotheken dürfen sich maximal 50 Personen aufhalten. Damit kann das gegenseitige Abstandhalten einfacher eingehalten werden. An den Schulen darf bis am 4. April vor Ort kein Unterricht stattfinden. Die Einreise aus Italien wird weiter eingeschränkt. Der Bundesrat stellt zudem bis zu 10 Milliarden Franken als Soforthilfe zur Verfügung, um die wirtschaftlichen Auswirkungen der Pandemie rasch und unbürokratisch abzufedern.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on official visit to Paris

10.03.2020 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), paid an official visit to Paris from 9 to 10 March 2020. Talks with his French counterpart, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, focused on bilateral relations, Switzerland's European policy and international current affairs. Measures adopted by the international community to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus were also discussed.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on official visit to Paris

09.03.2020 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will pay an official visit to Paris on 9 and 10 March. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) will travel to Paris at the invitation of Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The discussions will focus on bilateral and cross-border issues, European policy and current international events.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visits multilateral organisations in Vienna

20.02.2020 — Press release EDA
Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), is to attend talks in 'multilateral Vienna' today and tomorrow. Meetings with the OSCE, IAEA and UN agencies are on the agenda.

UK’s withdrawal from the EU: bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU continue to apply

31.01.2020 — Press release DEA
The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union at midnight on 31 January 2020 will not change the relationship between Switzerland and the UK in the near future: the bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU will continue to apply to the UK until the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020 (which may be extended). Switzerland can use the transition period to continue to work out together with the UK their future relationship as part of the Swiss “Mind the Gap” strategy.

Federal Council delegation meets new EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Davos

20.01.2020 — Press release DEA
A delegation of the Federal Council led by President Simonetta Sommaruga today met with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Ms Sommaruga was accompanied at the meeting, which took place during the WEF Annual Meeting, by federal councillors Ignazio Cassis and Karin Keller-Sutter. Talks focused on the state of bilateral relations between Switzerland the EU, particularly with regard to the institutional agreement. They also discussed joint efforts to tackle climate change. Cooperation in the field of migration should be continued.

Other news (35)

Coronavirus: Further easing of entry restrictions from 8 June

27.05.2020 — DEA
The Federal Council is to further relax entry restrictions in connection with the coronavirus pandemic. The restrictions will be lifted in step with the reopening of the economy. From 8 June, the cantons will begin processing applications from workers from the EU/EFTA member states. In addition, Swiss companies will be allowed to employ highly skilled workers from third countries if this is in the public interest, or if they are urgently required. To benefit the domestic workforce, companies will again be required to give notification of job vacancies, a measure that was temporarily suspended during the lockdown. Lastly, the Federal Council plans to lift all travel restrictions and re-establish the free movement of persons across the Schengen area no later than 6 July. Border controls with Germany, Austria and France will be lifted as early as 15 June, as previously announced.

Securing access to research cooperation and funding programmes in Europe

20.05.2020 — DEA
Horizon Europe, the EU’s next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, is due to start in 2021. Along with three other European initiatives, Horizon Europe forms the ‘2021–2027 Horizon package’. On 20 May 2020 the Federal Council adopted a dispatch on funding requesting Parliament to approve CHF 6,154 million in funding to secure Switzerland’s participation in the Horizon package. Provided Parliament approves this funding, the Federal Council and the EU will be able to renew their bilateral research agreement and secureSwitzerland’s continued and uninterrupted participation in the Horizon package as an associated state.

Coronavirus: Switzerland reaches agreement with Germany, Austria and France on opening borders

13.05.2020 — DEA
Switzerland plans to open all borders with Germany, Austria and France on 15 June 2020, if the epidemiological situation allows. Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter has reached agreement on this move following talks with the interior ministers of these three neighbouring countries. She advised the Federal Council of the agreement at its meeting on 13 May 2020.

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.

Serbian Prime Minister Brnabić attends working meeting with President Maurer

03.09.2019 — DEA
On Tuesday, 3 September, President Ueli Maurer received Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić at the Bernerhof for a working visit on the fringes of Swiss Digital Day. Discussions covered bilateral issues such as business and digital transformation, Serbia’s relations with the European Union, and the situation in the Western Balkans.

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

Switzerland and EU adapt their insurance agreement

05.07.2018 — DEA
Switzerland and the EU have been adapting their Direct Insurance Agreement which has existed since 1989 to the new regulatory requirements. The mixed committee with representatives from both sides adopted the changes on 3 July 2018 and brought them into effect. Thereby the agreement is also in line with the future requirements of the Swiss insurance business.

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.

Linking of the Swiss and European emissions trading systems: big step forward

16.08.2017 — DEA
Switzerland and the European Union are preparing to link their emissions trading systems. The Federal Council approved the signing of the corresponding agreement at its meeting of 16 August 2017. The European Commission has also adopted proposals for the signature and ratification of the agreement and has submitted them to the Council of the European Union for approval. The agreement could be signed before the end of this year. Its ratification must then be approved by the Swiss and European parliaments.

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