Filter by
Select time frame

All news (850)

Object 505 – 516 of 850

New cooperation strategy for Ukraine 2015-2018

15.06.2015 — Press release EDA
As part of its new 2015-2018 cooperation strategy for Ukraine, Switzerland is stepping up its commitment over the coming four years in the fields of governance, peacebuilding, health, sustainable energy management and financial and economic sustainability. It is thus responding to the impact of the Ukrainian conflict and the government’s reform efforts.


“Democracy works when people feel ownership of the decisions that are being taken”

01.06.2015 — Article DEZA

At the end of 2013 Mimoza Kusari-Lila was elected mayor of Gjakova, a city of 100,000 in the south of Kosovo.  She is the first woman ever in her country to be elected to such high office.  She has since been campaigning for social and economic development in her municipality in a spirit of participatory democracy and total transparency.



Switzerland supporting strong municipalities in the Western Balkans

29.05.2015 — Press release EDA
Nearly a quarter century after the collapse of Yugoslavia and the fall of the communist regime in Albania, the Western Balkan countries have made substantial progress in the transition to democratic rule and an open market economy. However, there are still considerable challenges ahead, including decentralisation, the improvement of governance and the promotion of the political participation of citizens. Guests from different countries of this region exchanged views on these issues at the Annual Conference on Swiss Cooperation with Eastern Europe, which was held in Biel today. They also discussed ways of establishing efficient and reliable municipal public services.


Security for all and the rule of law: prerequisites for development

26.05.2015 — Article DEZA

As crises continue to multiply, the SDC gives priority to engagement in fragile contexts and conflict affected countries. Markus Heiniger, an SDC expert on the subject of “conflict and human rights”, here answers a few questions in the context of an international meeting which took place on 25 May 2015 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.


Official working visit of Angolan Foreign Minister Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti to Bern

22.05.2015 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received Angola’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, for an official working visit at the Von Wattenwyl House in Bern on Tuesday, 26 May 2015. Talks between the two foreign ministers centred on the bilateral political and economic relations between their two countries. They also exchanged views on cooperation at the multilateral level and discussed current world affairs.


Swiss convoy to aid civilian population in eastern Ukraine reaches Donetsk

15.05.2015 — Press release EDA
On 15 May 2015 Switzerland sent a convoy carrying 300 tonnes of chemical water treatment products to eastern Ukraine to supply approximately 3.5 million people in need in the Donetsk region with clean drinking water. This is the first humanitarian convoy of its size to have crossed the contact line between the government-controlled area and that under the control of non-government forces since the armed conflict began in the region. The convoy is being accompanied by Manuel Bessler, the Federal Council Delegate for Swiss Humanitarian Aid.


Closer relations with Mexico: Visit by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter

13.05.2015 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter is to make a one-day official working visit to Mexico on 14 May 2015 where he will have talks with the Mexican Foreign Minister, José Antonio Meade Kuribreña. During his visit the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) will make a speech at the renowned Matías Romero Institute and will open the photographic exhibition entitled "War from the victims' perspective" by Jean Mohr to mark the 150th anniversary of the ICRC and the first Geneva Convention. Federal Councillor Burkhalter and Foreign Minister Meade will also sign a joint declaration on bilateral relations and an agreement on trilateral development projects in Central America.


"Mothers can give birth in hospital again"

08.05.2015 — Article DEZA

Ueli Salzmann, a member of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) led the first rapid response team sent to Nepal the day after the earthquake. He shares his first impressions after ten days on the ground.


Switzerland responds to humanitarian crisis in Yemen

08.05.2015 — Press release EDA
In view of the rapidly escalating humanitarian crisis in Yemen, Switzerland is making CHF 2 Million available to the Yemen Humanitarian Pooled Fund managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). At the same time it calls on all parties to respect their obligations under international law to ensure the protection of civilians, to engage in dialogue to seek a political solution to the conflict and to cease hostilities.


“The media sector is seeking its own revolution”

03.05.2015 — Article DEZA

The SDC works to empower the media and to improve access to information. A free press is the only way to engage the population. And in many situations, the media can help to achieve a peaceful solution to conflicts. In journalist Khadija Chouika’s home country of Tunisia, the SDC is working with the Fondation Hirondelle to bolster local radio stations.


Earthquake in Nepal: Switzerland sends 38 tonnes of relief supplies to the affected area

Three doctors treating a patient.

01.05.2015 — Press release EDA
38 tonnes of relief supplies will be sent from Zurich to Nepal as soon as landing permission is granted by the Nepalese authorities. As well as large tents and tarpaulins for the construction of emergency shelters in higher altitude regions the material includes water-treatment and medical supplies. This material is urgently needed according to the assessment of the Swiss rapid response team that has been in the disaster-stricken area since 26 April.

Object 505 – 516 of 850

Media (519)

Other news (331)