Here you can find the last 12 media releases and other news published by the FDFA, such as statements, announcements and articles, in chronological order.
All media releases can be found on the Administarions's website.
Here you can find the last 12 media releases and other news published by the FDFA, such as statements, announcements and articles, in chronological order.
All media releases can be found on the Administarions's website.
18.08.2021 —
Press release
EDA
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs are launching the second Swiss Youth and Future prize 'Together we're better'. The goal: recognising and promoting young people's projects. The projects aim to improve the living conditions of disadvantaged people in the Global South and contribute to achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). All teams with eligible entries can present their project at the International Cooperation Forum Switzerland.
18.08.2021 —
Press release
EDA
Swiss citizens living abroad, their immediate family members and cross-border commuters without compulsory health insurance are to be allowed to get vaccinated in Switzerland. At its meeting on 18 August, the Federal Council launched consultation proceedings on an amendment to the Epidemics Ordinance.
16.08.2021 —
Press release
EDA
Switzerland is concerned about the grave security situation in Afghanistan. Given the events of the last few days, the FDFA has temporarily closed the cooperation office of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and had its Swiss staff flown out of Kabul. On 16 August 2021, the three remaining staff members landed in Doha. They will travel to Switzerland from there as soon as possible. Three other staff members had already left Kabul. Efforts are under way to find a solution for local personnel so that the FDFA's local employees and their immediate families can also leave Afghanistan.
15.08.2021 —
Press release
EDA
The firefighting operation carried out by Swiss Humanitarian Aid and the Swiss Armed Forces in Greece came to an end on 14 August 2021. The three Super Pumas and their crews, together with the Swiss Humanitarian Aid rapid response team, supported the Greek authorities in the forest fire suppression operations for seven days. In total, Swiss helicopters carried out 226 rotations and dropped more than 386 tonnes of water on the fires.
11.08.2021 —
Press release
EDA
The Federal Council's European policy agenda includes approving the second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states with a view to continuing the bilateral approach. At its meeting on 11 August, the Federal Council adopted a dispatch to this effect to be brought before Parliament as soon as possible.
11.08.2021 —
Press release
EDA
Switzerland is helping Vietnam to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Swiss Humanitarian Aid is sending 30 ventilators, 500,000 antigen tests and 280,000 medical face masks to the country, which has been hit hard by the virus. The consignment includes 5 million francs' worth of relief supplies.
06.08.2021 —
Press release
EDA
Wildfires are currently raging across several regions of Greece. Responding to a call for assistance by the Greek authorities, Switzerland is dispatching three helicopters and firefighting crews to help contain the fires.
05.08.2021 —
Press release
EDA
Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis met the vice president, prime minister, foreign minister and three other members of the Vietnamese government. In the talks, Mr Cassis called for a speedy conclusion to negotiations on the free trade agreement between EFTA and Vietnam. He also stressed the importance of Switzerland–Vietnam diplomatic relations which go back 50 years. Vietnam is Mr Cassis' last stop on a 6-day tour of South East Asia which also included visits to Thailand and Laos.
04.08.2021 —
Press release
EDA
On his trip to South East Asia, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met the president and several ministers for talks in Vientiane on 3 and 4 August 2021. During his visit, Mr Cassis signed a framework cooperation agreement on development cooperation. The SDC will launch its new four-year cooperation programme in Laos next year. Mr Cassis also visited a quarantine camp for migrants, which Switzerland is supporting financially alongside the Swiss Red Cross and the World Food Programme.
02.08.2021 —
Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, kicked off his trip to the Mekong region with a two-day visit to Thailand. Mr Cassis delivered a virtual 1 August address from the Swiss embassy in Bangkok to the Swiss community in the region. His talks with members of the Thai government focused on an expansion of bilateral cooperation. Together with Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, Mr Cassis also attended celebrations to mark the 90th anniversary of bilateral relations between the two countries. Finally, on 2 August, he attended a ceremony to hand over to the Thai authorities a consignment of humanitarian supplies dispatched by Switzerland last week.
29.07.2021 —
Press release
EDA
Switzerland announced a contribution of CHF 52 million for the period 2021–25 at the GPE's replenishment conference on 28–29 July 2021 in London. A commitment to equitable, inclusive and crisis-resilient education systems is one of Switzerland's priorities within the GPE.
29.07.2021 —
Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travels to three states in Southeast Asia from 1 to 6 August 2021 to cultivate good relations and look to the future. : Switzerland has maintained bilateral relations across a broad range of areas with Thailand for 90 years and with Vietnam 50 years. Both countries are among Switzerland's most important economic partners in the region. Switzerland maintains close cooperation with Laos in the area of development cooperation. . During this trip, Mr Cassis also plans to meet with members of the Swiss community to learn how they are coping with the COVID-19 crisis. To help Thailand cope with the pandemic, Switzerland sent respirators and antigen test kits to Bangkok yesterday.
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.
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
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.
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
24.02.2020 —
EDA
Geneva, 24.02.2020 - Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis - Check against delivery
29.01.2020 —
DEZA
The FDFA has showcased some innovative technology at the 50th WEF, which could reduce global CO2 emissions by millions of tonnes per year. The SDC undertakes a range of projects in the construction industry, working in cooperation with academia and the private sector. The aim of these projects, which are located in emerging economies, is to tackle global warming effectively.
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.
14.01.2020 —
Article
DEZA
Honeyland has been nominated for an Oscar in the categories Best International Feature Film and Best Documentary. The film’s hero, Hatidze Muratova, champions environmental protection and the sustainable management of natural resources. She was discovered through the Nature Conservation Programme launched by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
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.
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.
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.
13.12.2019 —
EDA
On 13 December 2019, the Federal Council approved the proposal to establish a national human rights institution (NHRI). The Federal Council has thereby strengthened its constitutionally enshrined commitment to human rights. With the model of a public corporation, it takes into account the results of the consultation procedure. The NHRI will be independent, include members from across society and receive an annual financial support from the Confederation.
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Last update 29.01.2020