Press releases

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Second edition of Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building held in Geneva

13.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland hosted the second edition of the Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building (GC3B) between 13 and 14 May. The conference focused on the secure use of new digital technologies in development cooperation work, especially in the Global South. International Geneva served as a platform to bring together stakeholders from the cybersecurity and digital development sectors. The GC3B was also a key event of the inaugural Geneva Cyber Week.

President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, to pay state visit to Switzerland

12.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
In recognition of the close and multifaceted relations between Switzerland and Kosovo, the Federal Council has invited Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu and her husband Prindon Sadriu to pay a state visit to Switzerland. President Karin Keller-Sutter will lead the Federal Council in corpore in welcoming President Osmani with military honours on Bundesplatz on Wednesday, 21 May. This will be followed by official speeches and political discussions. The programme the following day will focus on business and innovation.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives Foreign Minister Sabine Monauni from Liechtenstein

12.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
Mr Cassis received Liechtenstein's new deputy prime minister and minister for foreign affairs, environment and culture, Sabine Monauni, for an official inaugural visit in Bern on Monday. Talks focused on the two countries' traditionally close bilateral relations, European policy, regional cooperation under the EU Strategy for the Alpine region (EUSALP), international issues and the current geopolitical context. The two ministers also signed a revised agreement on environmental levies.

Palazzo Trevisan to remain outpost of Swiss excellence in Venice

09.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal councillors Ignazio Cassis and Elisabeth Baume-Schneider announced in Venice today the future set-up for the Palazzo Trevisan. As of 1 January 2026, the main floor of the palace will be turned into a platform managed by the FDFA which will not only build on the palace's important role in promoting Swiss culture but will also incorporate new activities in the fields of innovation, research and sustainability. This development is the result of collaboration between the FDFA and the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA), with the dual aim of strengthening the Palazzo Trevisan as a vector of Swiss excellence in Venice, and of further enriching the dense network of relations between Switzerland and Italy.

International trade: Karin Keller-Sutter and Guy Parmelin hold meetings with delegations from the United States and China

09.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
On Friday, 9 May 2025 in Geneva, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Karin Keller-Sutter, and the Vice President of the Federal Council, Guy Parmelin, met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Prior to that, they met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.

International cooperation: targeted Swiss support for UN agencies and International Geneva

08.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has decided the FDFA will grant CHF 39 million to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), UN Women, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for 2025. By renewing these contributions, the FDFA is also sending out a strong signal in support of International Geneva.

Switzerland's contribution to democracy promotion – new FDFA guidelines

07.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 7 May 2025 the FDFA published the Guidelines on Democracy, which set out objectives for democracy promotion and identify foreign policy instruments for strengthening democratic processes and institutions.

Ignazio Cassis meets with Hungarian foreign minister in Bern

05.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, today received the Hungarian foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó, in Bern for an official working visit. The talks centred on bilateral relations, European policy and current geopolitical issues.

Swiss–EU package: Federal Council calls for optional referendum

30.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 30 April 2025, the Federal Council took stock of the ongoing work on the Swiss–EU package. It decided to call an optional referendum on the agreements with the European Union (EU). In taking this decision, the Federal Council is signalling political continuity and coherence and giving Parliament and the cantons room for manoeuvre. Parliament will ultimately determine the nature of the referendum in the course of its deliberations.

Switzerland steps up its support for Africa

30.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council wants to contribute towards increasing the guarantee capital of the African Development Bank (AfDB). It is requesting Parliament to approve a guarantee credit of CHF 1.56 billion, as decided on 30 April. This would strengthen Switzerland's influence in the AfDB and help to further sustainable and inclusive economic development in Africa.

Switzerland's international cooperation: FDFA provides core contributions for 22 Swiss implementation partners

25.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
Swiss NGOs help implement the Federal Councillor’s International Cooperation Strategy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with their expertise, knowledge of local contexts, and networks. For the 2025-2026 period, the SDC has earmarked core contributions totalling CHF 235 million for Switzerland’s contracting partners.

China: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets Foreign Minister Wang Yi and hails 75 years of bilateral relations

25.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
The head of Switzerland's Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis, visited the People's Republic of China on 24 and 25 April 2025. His visit marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Switzerland established official relations with China in 1950, making it one of the first European countries to do so. In addition to an official meeting with China's foreign minister, Wang Yi, Mr Cassis' visit focused on efforts to modernise the free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries in order to improve market access for Swiss companies.

Media (3459)

FDFA condemns the extension of the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi

11.08.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) condemns the sentence handed down today against Aung San Suu Kyi of an additional 18 months’ house arrest.

US civil proceedings against UBS: Stay extended once again

07.08.2009 — Press releases EDA
The out-of-court settlement being sought in the US civil proceedings against UBS has not yet been achieved. The stay in proceedings will therefore be extended for a further week until Monday, 17 August. The court in Miami approved a motion by both parties to that effect on Friday.

Opening of an Embassy in Nepal: under the Banner of 50 Years of Cooperation

06.08.2009 — Press releases EDA
On 17 August 2009, Switzerland will celebrate 50 years of development cooperation with Nepal. The occasion will also be marked by the opening of a new Swiss Embassy in Kathmandu. Today, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs presented the highlights of its activities in Nepal.

Working visit of Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey in the USA

31.07.2009 — Press releases EDA
In the framework of her official working visit to the USA, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, met the American Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, for talks in Washington today.

Switzerland’s third country report submitted to the UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

28.07.2009 — Press releases EDA
On 27 July 2009, Switzerland presented to the responsible UN committee in New York its latest report on the measures it has taken to implement the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women of 1979 (CEDAW). The Swiss delegation comprised representatives of the federal administration and a representative of the cantons.

Switzerland calls for an end to Israeli settlements

23.07.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is deeply concerned about the destruction of Palestinian houses in East Jerusalem near the old town and by the planned evictions. It calls on the Israeli government to end these operations immediately and to put a stop to all forms of settlement of the occupied Palestinian territory. It has passed on this request directly to the Israeli authorities.

Bomb attacks in Indonesia

17.07.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs condemns in the strongest terms the bomb attacks carried out today, 17 July 2009, at two hotels in Jakarta which claimed numerous innocent victims.

Switzerland is forced to unfreeze Mobutu assets

16.07.2009 — Press releases EDA
On 14 July 2009, the Federal Criminal Court rejected a complaint regarding the Mobutu assets. In these circumstances and in accordance with the Federal Council decision of 30 April 2009, there is no alternative but to end the freezing of these assets. The FDFA has informed the banks and the parties concerned. The FDFA deplores this outcome, which ends twelve years of freezing of the assets in which all options to come to a fair solution were attempted. This case underlines the need to adapt the Swiss legal framework.

US – UBS Tax Case: Joint Motion to Stay the Court Proceedings

13.07.2009 — Press releases EDA
Today, the US Government and UBS, with the support of the Swiss Government, filed a joint motion to stay the civil litigation pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida in Miami. The parties asked the judge to stay the proceedings for 15 days in order to achieve a settlement. The Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Federal Department for Foreign Affairs who have conducted the talks leading to the motion for a stay support this step. Further information is not available as the already ongoing settlement negotiations between the US and Swiss governments are confidential.

The FDFA is concerned about the situation in the Chinese province Xinjiang

08.07.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is worried about the latest events in the Chinese province of Xinjiang.

Switzerland engages in the Peacebuilding Commission of the United Nations

06.07.2009 — Press releases EDA
Ambassador Peter Maurer, Head of the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations in New York, was elected on 29 June 2009 to chair the Burundi Configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission of the United Nations in New York. As of 1 July 2009, Switzerland takes over from Sweden for a period of one year. Switzerland has been a member of the Configuration since May.

The FDFA condemns executions in Iran

06.07.2009 — Press releases EDA
The FDFA condemns the execution of about 20 persons in Iran at the weekend.

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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