Press releases

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Victims of National Socialism: Call for proposals to design the memorial in Bern

11.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
In April 2023, the Federal Council decided to establish a memorial in the centre of Bern for the victims of National Socialism. The Federal Council considers it vital to keep alive the memory of the consequences of National Socialism, as well as the fate of the six million Jews and all other victims of the Nazi regime. On the recommendation of the communal parliament of the City of Bern, the Casinoterrasse near the Federal Parliament was selected as the location for the site of remembrance. A call is now being organised to gather proposals for the its creation from multidisciplinary teams in the fields of art, architecture and history.

Switzerland reaffirms its commitment to reconstruction at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome

11.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
The Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) has been held since 2022 to coordinate reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. At this year's conference, which took place in Rome from 10 to 11 July, the head of the Swiss delegation, Jacques Gerber, signed an international treaty with Ukraine. This forms the legal basis for increased cooperation with the Swiss private sector in reconstruction. Projects in the areas of health, education and war risk insurance were also approved.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Conference: global security and bilateral relations at centre of talks

11.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 10 and 11 July, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Malaysia. His participation underlines South East Asia's growing economic importance to Switzerland. Mr Cassis used the platform to discuss economic ties, bilateral relations and global challenges with his counterparts from Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore. For the first time, he also met the new Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand on the margins of the conference.

Strengthening economic ties is focus of talks by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in Nepal and Bhutan

09.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visited Nepal and Bhutan during his week-long trip to Asia from 7 to 9 July. The official talks with government representatives centred on bilateral relations and opportunities for deeper economic cooperation.

Les droits des femmes et la non-discrimination au cœur du travail de la Suisse pendant la 59e session du Conseil des droits de l’homme.

08.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Dans un contexte global marqué par le recul de l’Etat de droit, la Suisse travaille avec détermination en faveur des droits de l’homme. Pour cette 59ème session du Conseil des droits de l’homme (CDH) des Nations Unies, un accent particulier a été placé sur la promotion des droits des femmes et de l’égalité de genre, ainsi que sur les droits des personnes LGBT. La session, qui s'est clôturée aujourd’hui après trois semaines et demie de débats, a été marquée par une adaptation du travail imposée par les restrictions budgétaires affectant l’ensemble du système onusien.

Switzerland reopens its embassy in Iran – ambassador returns to Tehran

06.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
As of today, 6 July 2025, the Swiss embassy in Tehran is open again after having temporarily closed on 20 June due to the unstable situation in Iran. Ambassador Nadine Olivieri Lozano and a small team returned to Tehran yesterday overland via Azerbaijan. The embassy will gradually resume operations.

Ignazio Cassis in Asia for ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and bilateral talks

03.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, will be travelling to Asia from 7 to 13 July 2025. He will attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. His participation highlights the growing economic and geopolitical importance of the South East Asian states. Official working visits to Nepal, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore are also planned around the conference.

Presentation of credentials

02.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present their credentials

FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel in Germany for political consultations

01.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Alexandre Fasel, the state secretary of the FDFA, was in Berlin on 1 July 2025 to hold political consultations with his German counterpart, the state secretary of the Federal Foreign Office, Géza Andreas von Geyr. Talks focused on current geopolitical developments, bilateral issues and the opening of the consultation procedure in Switzerland on the agreements in the new Swiss-EU package. Mr Fasel also met with the state secretary of Germany's Federal Chancellery, Jörg Semmler.

Switzerland attends 4th International Conference on Financing for Development

30.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland will be participating in the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, Spain, from 30 June to 3 July 2025. Organised under the auspices of the United Nations, this global event aims to address financing challenges in order to help achieve the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals. The conference will cover a wide range of issues relating to development policy, environmental, economic and social sustainability, and macroeconomics. The Swiss delegation is being led by Patricia Danzi, director general of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Karin Keller-Sutter to meet Emmanuel Macron in Paris

27.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Karin Keller-Sutter, is to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Tuesday, 1 July. The geopolitical situation and security issues will be at the centre of their discussions. Also on the agenda are bilateral relations between Switzerland and France, European policy and competitiveness.

Security and defence partnership: Federal Council to seek exploratory talks with the EU

25.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 25 June 2025, the Federal Council decided to enter into exploratory talks with the EU with a view to concluding a security and defence partnership. These partnerships provide the EU with a framework for enhancing cooperation with third countries in this field. A security and defence partnership takes the form of non-legally-binding declaration of intent and can be designed individually. A partnership of this kind is a prerequisite for any joint procurements in the defence sector. It is compatible with neutrality and helps to strengthen Switzerland's defence capabilities.

Media (3504)

President Widmer-Schlumpf and Federal Councillor Leuthard to attend Rio+20

08.06.2012 — Press releases EDA
On 8 June 2012, the Federal Council appointed the Swiss delegation to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development from 20 to 22 June 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The federal government will be represented by President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf and Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard, head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications. The conference should renew the commitment to sustainable development and provide a forum for discussing the green economy at the highest political level.

Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will represent Switzerland at the Global Counterterrorism Forum

07.06.2012 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will represent Switzerland in Istanbul this Thursday at the ministerial meeting of the Global Counterterrorism Forum – GCTF. This body, established in September 2011 in New York, consists of 29 states from all the regions of the world and the European Union. Its function is to identify national and international needs in the field of counterterrorism, to conduct coordination activity whenever necessary and to work out relevant solutions.

Switzerland to open an embassy in Myanmar

06.06.2012 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland will open an embassy in Myanmar in the summer of this year. This step is intended as an acknowledgement of the country's great potential, both economically and as a tourist destination. It also does justice to Myanmar's growing openness to democracy and political change following half a century of authoritarian rule. Switzerland will also strengthen its development cooperation to support the country’s transition to democracy.

Bund und Kantone unterzeichnen Vereinbarung zum Europadialog

05.06.2012 — Press releases EDA
Der Vorsteher des EDA, Bundesrat Didier Burkhalter, und der Vorsteher des EVD, Bundesrat Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, im Namen des Bundes, sowie Regierungspräsident Pascal Broulis, als Vertreter der Konferenz der Kantonsregierungen (KdK), haben heute in Bern eine Vereinbarung unterzeichnet, welche den politischen Dialog Bund-Kantone zu Europafragen regelt. Damit wird ein permanentes politisches Leitorgan zum Informationsaustausch in Europafragen zwischen Bund und Kantonen eingerichtet.

Aung San Suu Kyi to visit Switzerland

01.06.2012 — Press releases EDA
From 13-15 June 2012, the Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi will visit Switzerland to attend the 101st session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva. During her visit, she will meet and talk to young people and travel to Bern, where she will be guest of honour at a dinner hosted by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, at which Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga will also be present. In addition, she will have talks with Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and, on 15 June, she will visit the Swiss Parliament.

Federal Council adopts mandate text on EU dialogue on corporate tax regimes

01.06.2012 — Press releases EDA
During its meeting today, the Federal Council adopted the mandate text for the dialogue with the EU on corporate tax regimes. The aim of the dialogue is to find a solution for corporate taxation that is internationally accepted and yet strengthens Switzerland as a business location and maintains the finances of the cantons and the Confederation. The mandate text was approved by the Conference of the Cantonal Governments of Switzerland today. In addition, it will be the subject of consultations with the responsible committees of both chambers in the weeks ahead.

Annual Report on Swiss international cooperation in 2011

31.05.2012 — Press releases EDA
The Annual Report on Swiss international cooperation in 2011 has just been published. As a joint publication of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), it presents the most significant results of Switzerland’s commitment to combating poverty as well as its contribution to the reduction of global risks in a year distinguished above all by popular uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East.

FDFA declares Syrian Ambassador “persona non grata”

29.05.2012 — Press releases EDA
FDFA takes a stand

Switzerland calls for an investigation into the massacre in Houla

27.05.2012 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland condemns the massacre in Houla, Syria. It calls for an international investigation and for those responsible to be brought to justice.

First round in tax and financial negotiations between Switzerland and Italy

24.05.2012 — Press releases EDA
Today in Rome in the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the steering group met for the first time to resolve pending financial and tax issues between Switzerland and Italy.

Trilateral meeting on cross-border co-operation in the Upper Rhine region

24.05.2012 — Press releases EDA
The joint German-French-Swiss government commission on the promotion of cross-border co-operation in the Upper Rhine region held its 22nd meeting at Ebenrain Castle in Sissach (Basel Land) on 23 May 2012. The meeting, chaired by Switzerland, discussed transport and energy issues, the implementation of the free movement of persons and the accompanying measures.

Mr. Laurent Lavakure, Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, is received in Bern

24.05.2012 — Press releases EDA
On 24 May 2012, the Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, received Mr. Laurent Kavakure, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Burundi, on visit to Bern. The talks provided an opportunity to exchange views, discuss various bilateral and multilateral issues, and to evoke the development cooperation activities and peace-promotion measures that Switzerland has been conducting in the Great Lakes region.

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.

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