Press releases

All news (3635)

Presentation of credentials

18.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present their credentials

17.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
The ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Georgia, Mr Shota Getsadze; of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Mr Daovy Vongxay (with residence in Geneva); of the Republic of Serbia, Mr Ivan Trifunović; and of the Republic of Guatemala, Mr Rubén Estuardo Nájera Contreras (with residence in Paris) were received by President Karin Keller-Sutter at the Federal Palace on 17 June 2025 for the presentation of their credentials.

OECD publishes development cooperation peer review on Switzerland

16.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 16 June 2025, the OECD published its latest development cooperation peer review on Switzerland. The peer review takes place as part of a regular review process that the 33 members of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) undergo every six years. The report recognises the continuous development of Swiss international cooperation and formulates recommendations.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić

16.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, today received the Serbian foreign minister, Marko Đurić, in Bern for an official working visit. Talks focused on bilateral relations, developments in the Western Balkans, the situation in the Middle East, the war against Ukraine and Switzerland's OSCE chairpersonship next year.

Swiss–EU package: Federal Council approves agreements and opens consultation process

13.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 13 June 2025, the Federal Council approved the agreements in the new package to stabilise and develop Switzerland's bilateral approach with the EU and opened the domestic consultation process. After Switzerland brought the negotiations with the EU to a successful close in December 2024, the Federal Council finalised the implementing legislation and accompanying measures. Previously unresolved issues concerning wage protection, immigration, electricity and the type of referendum to be held have since been settled and presented to the public over the last five months. The consultation process will last until 31 October 2025. With this package, the Federal Council is aiming for customised sectoral participation in the EU single market as well as cooperation in selected areas. Given the current global unrest, maintaining good relations with neighbouring countries is key.

Visite du Conseiller fédéral Ignazio Cassis au Proche Orient : la Suisse réaffirme son engagement en faveur du droit international humanitaire et d’une paix durable

12.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
Le Conseiller fédéral Ignazio Cassis, chef du Département fédéral des affaires étrangères (DFAE), a effectué les 10 et 11 juin une visite officielle en Israël et dans le Territoire palestinien occupé. Cette visite s’inscrit dans le cadre de l’engagement de la Suisse pour le dialogue, le respect du droit international humanitaire et la recherche d’une paix durable au Proche-Orient.

UN Ocean Conference – Switzerland calls for global cooperation

12.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland is taking part in the UN Ocean Conference in Nice from 9 to 13 June 2025. The summit, which was co-organised by France and Costa Rica, aims to advance action and mobilise all stakeholders on the conservation and sustainable use of the world's oceans. The Swiss delegation is being led by Ambassador Alexandra Baumann, head of the FDFA's Prosperity and Sustainability Division.

Swiss chairship of International IDEA calls for focused action to strengthen resilience of democracies

12.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland is chairing the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in 2025. At the meeting of the organisation's Council of Member States, the current chair of International IDEA and Swiss ambassador to Sweden, Adrian Junker, called for focused action to promote democracy worldwide and thus counter the growing pressure on democratic systems. International IDEA was founded in 1995 to bolster democracies around the globe. The council meeting in Stockholm to mark the organisation's 30th anniversary was chaired by Patricia Danzi, director general of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), who reaffirmed Switzerland's ongoing commitment to promoting the resilience of democratic systems.

Ignazio Cassis visits Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory

11.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, will be in the Middle East on 10 and 11 June 2025 for official visits to the Palestinian and Israeli authorities. The trip is part of Switzerland's ongoing efforts to promote dialogue, peace and respect for international humanitarian law in the region.

Humanitarian aid: Switzerland releases CHF 28 million in response to global emergency

05.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
Within days of announcing that CHF 20 million had been earmarked for the crisis in the Middle East, Switzerland is releasing CHF 28 million in response to humanitarian emergencies in other parts of the world. Roughly 50% will be used for ICRC operations in Africa. The SDC has therefore disbursed practically all of its emergency funds for 2025. This decision was taken in response to growing humanitarian needs around the world.

Natural hazards: Ignazio Cassis officially opens Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva

03.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, has officially opened the 8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025) in Geneva. This international conference, organised under the aegis of the United Nations, is the leading forum for discussing global progress in disaster reduction and sharing new knowledge in this area. Natural hazards are a highly topical issue that affects countries around the world to varying degrees, significantly impacting affected populations and the economy.

Situation in Gaza: Federal Council calls for unrestricted humanitarian access and an immediate ceasefire

30.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 28 May 2025, the Federal Council once again discussed the war in the Gaza Strip between Israel and the terrorist organisation Hamas and made a full assessment of the situation. It is deeply dismayed at the unbearable human suffering and calls for unrestricted humanitarian access and an immediate ceasefire. A week ago, the Federal Council allocated CHF 10 million to humanitarian actors in the occupied Palestinian territory. At the same time, Switzerland continues to work internationally for a political solution to the conflict.

Media (3484)

Federal Council approves 2016 Foreign Policy Report

11.01.2017 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council approved the 2016 Foreign Policy Report at its meeting on 11 January 2017. The report gives an overview of Swiss foreign policy and provides an account of Switzerland’s most important foreign policy activities in 2016, in particular in the areas of development cooperation, humanitarian aid and good offices. This year’s report contains a chapter focusing on Switzerland’s efforts to promote peace and development in the crisis regions stretching from Syria to the Sahel.

China’s Head of State XI Jinping to make state visit next week

Chinese president Xi Jinping during his state visit to Switzerland.

06.01.2017 — Press releases EDA
As a sign of the ever closer political and economic ties between Switzerland and China, the Federal Council led by President Doris Leuthard will receive the Chinese President, XI Jinping, for a state visit to Switzerland next week. The programme for the visit begins on Sunday, 15 January, with the official speeches and a gala dinner, which President XI Jinping will attend with his wife PENG Liyuan. Talks between the Swiss and Chinese delegations are scheduled for Monday.

Yemen: Switzerland reaffirms its commitment and appeals to warring parties

23.12.2016 — Press releases EDA
In view of the worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen, Switzerland is reaffirming its commitment to help the destitute civilian population by making an additional CHF 3 million available to the Yemen Humanitarian Pooled Fund managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) over the next 12 months. The money will be used to fund water, hygiene and nutrition projects.

Switzerland supports the UN resolution on combating impunity in Syria

22.12.2016 — Press releases EDA
The UN General Assembly in New York has decided to set up an independent investigative mechanism, designed to lay the basis for future legal proceedings against those responsible for the most serious breaches of international law in Syria. Right from the outset, Switzerland supported the resolution sponsored by Liechtenstein and welcomes this significant step to combat impunity in Syria.

Salary and social conditions for visiting researchers at CERN

21.12.2016 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 21 December 2016, the Federal Council adopted the report entitled "Salary and social conditions for visiting researchers at CERN" in fulfilment of Postulate Tornare 14.3855 of 25 September 2014.

Switzerland to maintain assistance for Palestinian refugees in 2017-2020 period

21.12.2016 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council decided at its meeting of 21 December 2016 to maintain its contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA) over the coming four year period. The funding provided by Switzerland is primarily intended to help improve the access of the affected population to education, healthcare and social services. In this way Switzerland helps to improve prospects for the future, to reduce the risk of radicalisation among young Palestinians, and to support greater stability in the region. The funds also provide UNRWA with greater security in its budget planning.

Reducing hunger in the world – Swiss international cooperation supports agricultural research

21.12.2016 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 21 December 2016, the Federal Council approved the continuation of Switzerland’s financial contribution to the Global Agricultural Research Partnership (CGIAR) for the period 2017 to 2019. The partnership provides targeted and efficient solutions to the challenges of hunger and malnutrition, and, by supporting it, Switzerland is contributing to the fight against hunger, one of the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Official visit to Bern and Neuchâtel by the Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs

12.12.2016 — Press releases EDA
Today, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter had a meeting in Neuchâtel with Chinese Foreign Minister WANG Yi as part of the latter's official visit to Switzerland. The two men discussed bilateral relations and various current international issues. China's leading diplomat also paid a courtesy visit to the President of the Swiss Confederation, Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, in Bern.

National report and action plan on business and human rights

09.12.2016 — Press releases EDA
On 9 December 2016 the Federal Council adopted a report outlining a national action plan for the implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Switzerland is one of the first countries to adopt such a strategy in order to promote coherence between business activities and human rights.

The Federal Council extends the freezing of assets of several individuals from Tunisia, Egypt and Ukraine

09.12.2016 — Press releases EDA
At its session on 9 December 2016 the Federal Council decided to extend by one year the freezing of all the assets in Switzerland of ousted presidents Ben Ali (Tunisia), Mubarak (Egypt) and Yanukovych (Ukraine) as well as of politically exposed members of their entourages and other persons closely associated with them. The aim of this decision is to give more time for the criminal investigations under way and to support judicial cooperation with the countries concerned. It also takes into account the political changes taking place in these countries.

Security, trust building and arms control: Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter attends OSCE Ministerial Council in Hamburg

06.12.2016 — Press releases EDA
This year’s Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) will focus on finding solutions to current conflicts in the OSCE area, Europe’s worsening security situation and the issue of arms control. Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will argue that greater dialogue on key issues concerning European security is the only way to meet today’s challenges.

Switzerland puts strengthening women's rights on UN Security Council agenda

Yazidi women sit in a room in unfinished building being shared with a total of over 100 refugees near Duhok, Iraqi Kurdistan, Northern Iraq.

05.12.2016 — Press releases EDA
At a meeting in New York today, the UN Security Council will discuss how cooperation between the Geneva-based Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the UN Security Council in New York can be improved in the area of women, peace and security. The initiative for this discussion came from Switzerland, which has made strengthening women's rights a priority and is also committed to forging closer cooperation between the international institutions based in Geneva and those in New York.

Other news (151)

SwissInTouch, Switzerland in your pocket

24.11.2022 — Article EDA
Approximately 780,000 Swiss citizens abroad currently benefit from the wide range of services provided by a global network of representations offering advice and support. The FDFA Helpline is also on hand to answer queries 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Now there's a new app that makes staying in touch even easier: SwissInTouch keeps Switzerland at your fingertips.

Speech - 150e anniversaire du passage de la frontière de l’armée du général Bourbaki

29.01.2022 — EDA
Allocution du président de la Confédération Ignazio Cassis, chef du Département fédéral des affaires étrangères, à l’occasion du 150e anniversaire du passage de la frontière de l’armée du général Bourbaki - Check against delivery.

"Digitalisation - an opportunity for Europe's democratic values"

21.05.2021 — EDA
Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), on the occasion of the 131st (virtual) Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Check against delivery.

Official opening of the Ceneri Base Tunnel

04.09.2020 — EDA
Camorino, 04.09.2020 - Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the Inauguration Ceremony "Ceneri2020" - Check against delivery

Passaggio di testimone tra generazioni (de-fr-it)

25.08.2020 — EDA
Bern, 25.08.2020: Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the retirement of the ambassadors and the welcoming of the young diplomats who are taking up their posts in the service of the FDFA. Check against delivery.

75 years of the United Nations (fr)

26.06.2020 — EDA
Geneva, 26.06.2020: Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the 75th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter - Check against delivery

Opening of the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council (fr)

24.02.2020 — EDA
Geneva, 24.02.2020 - Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis - Check against delivery

Discover the world with the FDFA and with peace mind

17.01.2020 — Article EDA
Just what is the perfect trip abroad? And where would it take you? Swiss travellers have different needs and expectations – some prefer to go on their own, others would rather choose an organised tour. It doesn't matter if you're a backpacker or a jet-setter: the FDFA provides a wide range of services for anyone who wants to travel abroad.

Switzerland and Italy reach an agreement on Campione d'Italia

20.12.2019 — EDA
At its meeting on 20 December 2019, the Federal Council approved an exchange of notes between Switzerland and Italy regarding the change of the customs status of the Italian enclave of Campione d'Italia. This exchange of notes is necessary to ensure legal certainty and facilitates the transition of Campione d'Italia into the European Union's customs territory, scheduled for 1 January 2020.

Third meeting of the Working Group on Unresolved Issues established by the Joint Committee supervising the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation

19.12.2019 — EDA
On 16 and 17 December 2019 a third meeting of the Working Group on Unresolved Issues established by the Joint Committee, supervising the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation on the basic principles for a mechanism of customs administration and monitoring of trade in goods, signed on 9 November 2011, took place in Bern.

First Global Refugee Forum in Geneva brings together actors committed to finding shared solutions

17.12.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has opened the Global Refugee Forum together with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. The purpose of the forum, which takes place on 17 and 18 December at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, is to find shared solutions to meet the needs of refugees and their host communities.

Federal Council extends freeze on assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine

13.12.2019 — EDA
On 13 December 2019, the Federal Council decided to extend for one year the preventive freeze on the assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine. The purpose of this decision is to support the judicial cooperation between Switzerland and these two states.

FDFA

News

Press releases

Press releases

All news (3635)

Media (3484)

Other news (151)

Links

Information for the media

Contact