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Swiss diplomat Heidi Grau named OSCE Special Representative for Ukraine

05.12.2019 — Press release EDA
In a triumph for Swiss diplomacy, the 26th Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has opened with the Chairperson-in-Office, Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák, appointing Ambassador Heidi Grau as Special Representative for Ukraine. A renowned Swiss expert on Eastern Europe, Ambassador Grau thus assumes a key role in working towards an end to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis welcomes the news of her appointment and considers this a testament to the reputation Swiss diplomacy enjoys within and beyond the OSCE.

Cooperation with the UN Security Council in the fight against terrorism: Switzerland's pioneering role

05.12.2019 — Press release EDA
Switzerland and the United Nations cooperate closely in the fight against terrorism. On Thursday in New York, Switzerland presented to the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) the latest developments in its anti-terrorism measures following last year's visit by UN experts.

Walter Kälin appointed to UN High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement

04.12.2019 — Press release EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) welcomes UN Secretary-General António Guterres' decision to appoint Swiss law professor Walter Kälin as one of the experts of the UN's newly established High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement, which is tasked with finding solutions to internal displacement and alleviating its impact.

An exhibition to further understanding the importance of humanitarian principles

04.12.2019 — Press release EDA
Humanitarian action is centred on the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. Together with the Musée de l'Elysée in Lausanne and the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is hosting an exhibition and forum for debate on humanitarian action and its founding principles. The art installation will run until March 2020 at the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum in Geneva.

Switzerland increases earthquake aid to Albania

03.12.2019 — Press release EDA
With the region repeatedly shaken by aftershocks, the rapid response team sent by Swiss Humanitarian Aid (part of the SDC) to the Tirana/Durres area is pursuing three lines of action: The specialists are assessing the stability of damaged houses, aid deliveries have started, and people in the affected areas are to receive financial support.

Adaptation of the bilateral agreement in the area of statistics with the European Union

02.12.2019 — Press release EDA
During its 5th meeting held at Luxembourg on 2 December 2019, the Swiss-EU statistics committee adopted a decision concerning the revision of Annex A of the bilateral agreement in the area of statistics. This revision, which results from a decision of the Federal Council from 22 May 2019, thus makes it possible to continue the good statistical collaboration between Switzerland and the EU. The new Annex A comes into force with immediate effect.

Incident at the Swiss embassy in Sri Lanka: State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl summons Sri Lankan ambassador to the FDFA

02.12.2019 — Press release EDA
Following several demarches from the FDFA over the incident concerning an employee of the Swiss embassy in Colombo, State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl has received the Sri Lankan ambassador to Switzerland based in Berlin, Karunasena Hettiarachchi, in Bern. Ms Baeriswyl confirmed at the meeting that Switzerland supports measures to investigate and settle this matter by due process of law. However, the employee concerned still cannot be questioned on health grounds.

Übergabe des Beglaubigungsschreibens (de)

28.11.2019 — Press release EDA
Übergabe der Beglaubigungsschreiben der neu in der Schweiz akkreditierten Botschafterinnen und Botschafter

Switzerland receives Liechtenstein's new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justice and Culture on her first official visit abroad

28.11.2019 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, received Liechtenstein's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justice and Culture Katrin Eggenberger in Bern on Thursday during her official working visit. The two foreign ministers discussed a number of topics, including this year's centenary of bilateral relations between Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. They also exchanged views on EU relations and on various current international issues.

Strengthening international humanitarian law: Switzerland participates in the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

27.11.2019 — Press release EDA
Following a decision by the Federal Council on 27 November, Switzerland will participate in the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in Geneva from 9 to 12 December. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will lead the Swiss delegation. Switzerland is committed to strengthening compliance with international humanitarian law, one of the key issues to be addressed at the conference. Switzerland also supports the use of new technologies to ensure faster and more efficient humanitarian responses.

SDC Assistant Director General Christian Frutiger to represent Switzerland on the Board of Governors of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

27.11.2019 — Press release EDA
At its meeting on 27 November 2019, the Federal Council appointed Christian Frutiger, Head of Global Cooperation at the SDC, as the new IFAD Governor for Switzerland. IFAD enables the rural poor to improve their food security and nutrition, raise their incomes and strengthen their resilience, a mandate which aligns with Switzerland's development policy priorities.

Switzerland also speaks Italian and Romansh: a boon or a hindrance?

27.11.2019 — Press release EDA
Where do Italian and Romansh currently stand in Switzerland? A symposium organised jointly by the Directorate of International Law and the Federal Office of Culture (FOC) provided an opportunity to debate the subject. Switzerland's commitments under the Council of Europe's Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages were also discussed. The conference, opened by the director of the FOC, Isabelle Chassot, was closed by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

Media (2405)

Swiss diplomat Heidi Grau named OSCE Special Representative for Ukraine

Cooperation with the UN Security Council in the fight against terrorism: Switzerland's pioneering role

Walter Kälin appointed to UN High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement

An exhibition to further understanding the importance of humanitarian principles

Switzerland increases earthquake aid to Albania

Adaptation of the bilateral agreement in the area of statistics with the European Union

Incident at the Swiss embassy in Sri Lanka: State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl summons Sri Lankan ambassador to the FDFA

Übergabe des Beglaubigungsschreibens (de)

28.11.2019 — Press release EDA
Übergabe der Beglaubigungsschreiben der neu in der Schweiz akkreditierten Botschafterinnen und Botschafter

Switzerland receives Liechtenstein's new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justice and Culture on her first official visit abroad

Strengthening international humanitarian law: Switzerland participates in the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

SDC Assistant Director General Christian Frutiger to represent Switzerland on the Board of Governors of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

Switzerland also speaks Italian and Romansh: a boon or a hindrance?

Other news (280)

Guy Parmelin and Ignazio Cassis receive heads of government of the International Lake Constance Conference

21.11.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillors Guy Parmelin and Ignazio Cassis held talks with the heads of government of the International Lake Constance Conference in Bern on 21 November. Talks focused on cross-border cooperation in the Lake Constance area, the New Regional Policy of the Federal Government and Switzerland's European policy.

30 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets two school classes on the occasion

20.11.2019 — EDA
The right to education, protection, play and leisure – children have certain rights that, alongside their general welfare, states are obliged to guarantee. These obligations are enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was adopted 30 years ago today. To mark the occasion, Mr Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, opened the doors of the Federal Palace in Bern to two school classes from the canton of Ticino.

Switzerland elected to the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

20.11.2019 — EDA
UNESCO strives to promote peace and sustainable development through international cooperation in education, science, culture and media development. UNESCO's General Conference has now elected Switzerland to the organisation's Executive Board for 2019–23. The new Executive Board's mandate will include drafting UNESCO's next medium-term strategy for 2022–29.

Federal Council expands cooperation with the UN on military peace support training

20.11.2019 — EDA
At its meeting on 20 November 2019, the Federal Council approved an agreement between Switzerland and the UN on training cooperation in the context of international peace support. The agreement will provide a legal framework for closer longer-term cooperation between Switzerland and the UN in the training sector.

US statements on Israeli settlements: Switzerland’s statement

19.11.2019 — EDA
Following yesterday's American statements on Israeli settlements, Switzerland confirms its position.

The Federal Council concludes an agreement on privileges and immunities with the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers’ Association

18.11.2019 — EDA
On 18 November 2019 Switzerland and the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers’ Association (ICoCA) signed an agreement on the privileges and immunities accorded to the association in Switzerland. ICoCA plays a major role in ensuring compliance with the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers and in promoting the responsible provision of security services.

UNESCO General Conference: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis advocates Executive Board seat for Switzerland

14.11.2019 — EDA
Speaking at the UNESCO General Conference in Paris, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis called for minorities to be respected, pointing out that this is essential to democratic processes. He also said that Switzerland supports the reform proposals intended to enhance the organisation’s effectiveness and explained the strengths Switzerland can bring to the UNESCO Executive Board. Switzerland is campaigning to gain a seat on the Executive Board in the election on 20 November 2019.

Zukunftstag 2019: Was die jungen Gäste im EDA beeindruckte (de/fr/it)

14.11.2019 — EDA
Rund 90 Kinder und Jugendliche haben am Zukunftstag 2019 ihren Eltern oder Bekannten bei der Arbeit im Eidgenössischen Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA über die Schulter und hinter die Kulissen des Departements geschaut. Generalsekretär Markus Seiler zeigte den jungen Gästen das Bundesratszimmer sowie das Büro von Bundesrat Ignazio Cassis, der sich an diesem Tag in Paris befand. An verschiedenen Workshops konnten die Kinder und Jugendlichen verschiedene Aspekte aus der Arbeit des EDA vertieft kennenlernen und eine Medienmitteilung schreiben.

UNESCO General Conference (fr)

14.11.2019 — EDA
Paris, 14.11.2019 – Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis – Check against delivery

Linking of the Swiss and EU emissions trading systems: Federal Council approves revision of the CO2 Ordinance

13.11.2019 — EDA
At its meeting on 13 November 2019, the Federal Council approved the revised Ordinance on the Reduction of CO2 Emissions. This, together with the amendment to the CO2 Act adopted in March 2019 and the agreement with the EU, will enter into force on 1 January 2020. From 2020, emissions from civil aviation and fossil fuel power stations will also be included in the Swiss ETS, as is already the case in the EU. Linking the two schemes allows companies in the Swiss ETS to trade emission allowances in the larger EU emissions market.

Escalation of violence between Israel and Gaza – statement by the FDFA

12.11.2019 — EDA
The FDFA is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East and calls on all parties to restore calm immediately.

Education, environment and protection of minorities – Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travels to UNESCO General Conference in Paris

12.11.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will represent Switzerland at the UNESCO General Conference on 14 November 2019. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) will call for respect for minorities, which is a key element of the democratic process. New members of the UNESCO Executive Board will also be elected during the three-week session. Switzerland – one of the candidates – is one of the biggest contributors to UNESCO measured by population.

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