All news (850)
Swiss enlargement contribution: 10 country programmes in central and eastern Europe come to a successful close
19.06.2017
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Press release
EDA
The 10-year implementation period for Switzerland’s enlargement contribution to the 10 central and eastern European countries that joined the EU in 2004 came to an end on 14 June 2017. Under the contribution, Parliament approved a total of CHF 1 billion to implement 210 projects which have helped reduce economic and social disparities among broad sections of the population living in the EU. In so doing, Switzerland has demonstrated its solidarity with these countries and has been able to consolidate ties with the new EU member states in a number of areas, including Swiss businesses.
Le Conseil fédéral adopte le rapport 2016 sur la politique migratoire extérieure
16.06.2017
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Press release
EDA
Le Conseil fédéral a adopté, lors de sa séance du 16 juin 2017, son rapport 2016 sur les activités concernant la politique migratoire extérieure de la Suisse. L’année sous revue a été marquée par les conflits armés qui persistent en Syrie et en Irak et la situation difficile des personnes réfugiées dans les pays voisins, ainsi que par le contexte délicat de la Corne de l’Afrique. En 2016, la Suisse s’est fortement engagée en faveur de solutions durables dans les régions en crise. Son engagement s’est manifesté notamment par une aide humanitaire sur le terrain, des programmes de protection, et la promotion des droits de l’homme et de la paix. Au niveau multilatéral, une déclaration politique visant à protéger les réfugiés et les migrants a pu être adoptée lors du sommet de l’ONU consacré aux réfugiés et aux migrants.
Cross-border water management as an instrument for stability: Federal Councillor Burkhalter opens conference in Astana
15.06.2017
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter is scheduled to launch a Swiss initiative that sets a new course for cross-border water cooperation in central Asia. This will take place at a conference in the Kazakh capital Astana on 19 June 2017. In his opening speech, Mr Burkhalter will emphasise that structured water management is a factor for stability. The conference in Astana builds on Switzerland’s long-standing engagement for sustainable water use in the region.
Visit by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter to Ukraine focuses on humanitarian aid and peace efforts
06.06.2017
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), began a two-day visit to Ukraine on Tuesday with the aim of strengthening relations between the two countries, discussing peace-building efforts and seeing first-hand what support is being provided by Swiss Humanitarian Aid, particularly in the areas of medical assistance and water purification in the Donetsk region.
Swiss flower power at Expo 2017 Astana
06.06.2017
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Press release
EDA
On 10 June, the Swiss pavilion will open its doors at Expo 2017 Astana. The first world exhibition to be held in Central Asia is dedicated to the theme of ‘Future Energy’. The Swiss pavilion, organised by Presence Switzerland, showcases Switzerland as an innovative country with an interactive and surprising exhibition on the issues of energy efficiency, renewable energies and global water management.
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter to visit Ukraine to offer humanitarian support and discuss peace efforts
02.06.2017
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Press release
EDA
On 6 June, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will travel to eastern Ukraine, where he will visit the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Mariupol and hold talks with partner organisations. In addition, he will deliver medical supplies to a hospital and see off a Swiss humanitarian aid convoy. On 7 June, Mr Burkhalter will meet Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin in Kyiv. He is also scheduled to meet with Vadym Chernysh, Minister for Temporary Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons, and with representatives of civil society.
Mosul: Switzerland calls on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and increases its assistance in Iraq
01.06.2017
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Press release
EDA
Seven months after the start of the offensive to liberate Mosul, Iraqi forces have now begun their final push against the last pocket of the city controlled by the self-proclaimed ‘Islamic State’ group. Home to some 250,000 civilians, the district is also the most densely populated of the city. The fighting is reported to be extremely violent and the humanitarian situation appalling. Switzerland calls for compliance with international humanitarian law, rapid and unrestricted humanitarian access and continued efforts to assist the Iraqi people, including beyond the offensive in Mosul.
‘Un seul monde’ with a dossier on the significance of energy
31.05.2017
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Local news
DEZA
People with access to clean and affordable energy get more than just electricity from a wall socket. Energy enhances the efficiency of agricultural production, reduces poverty and hunger, facilitates education and creates jobs. Access to energy is crucial for sustainable development.
Attack in Kabul – FDFA position statement
31.05.2017
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Press release
EDA
The FDFA condemns in the strongest possible terms the attack carried out in Kabul on the morning of 31 May 2017 which killed and injured a large number of people. The SDC’s cooperation office was also damaged in the attack. Fortunately there were no casualties among the staff working there. Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter has sent a letter of condolence to his counterpart in Afghanistan.
Natural disasters and climate-related risks: Switzerland appeals for closer links between disaster risk reduction, climate change and development cooperation
26.05.2017
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Press release
EDA
Natural disasters and climate-related risks threaten to reverse hard-won gains in development. These and other challenges were the focal point of the fifth session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, which took place from 22 to 26 May 2017 in Cancún, Mexico. At the conference, Switzerland appealed for closer cooperation in the fields of disaster risk reduction, climate change and development cooperation.
Didier Burkhalter focuses on strengthening relations between Switzerland and Jordan and on the Syrian humanitarian crisis during visit to Amman
19.05.2017
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Press release
EDA
On Friday, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, signed a memorandum of understanding in Amman strengthening bilateral relations between Switzerland and Jordan. Mr Burkhalter then visited the Azraq refugee camp, where he officially opened a water supply system funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation which gives 35,000 Syrian refugees in the camp direct access to drinking water.
Entry into force of the Federal Act on Cooperation with the States of Eastern Europe
17.05.2017
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Press release
EDA
On 17 May 2017 the Federal Council confirmed that the Federal Act on Cooperation with the States of Eastern Europe (Eastern Europe Cooperation Act) will come into force on 1 June 2017. The act was passed by Parliament on 30 September 2016.