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.
11.10.2017
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Press release
EDA
A number of staff changes have been announced for 2018 for several Swiss representations abroad. The changes will take place as part of the usual transfer rotation and on the basis of appointments made by the Federal Council. The appointment of heads of mission abroad becomes effective following approval by the respective host state.
10.10.2017
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Press release
EDA
Switzerland is committed to maintain a leading role in the worldwide movement to abolish capital punishment. On this year's World Day against the Death Penalty the FDFA has presented its new action plan, which sets out Switzerland's foreign policy activities towards universal abolition of the death penalty for the period until 2019.
10.10.2017
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Press release
EDA
Luxembourg and Switzerland have close, long-standing relations. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Grand Duchy’s first diplomatic representation in Switzerland, the foreign minister of Luxembourg, Jean Asselborn, visited Bern on 10 October 2017 to hold talks with Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga, head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police. The discussions focused on aspects of European policy, migration foreign policy, European security policy, the fight against terrorism and cooperation within the United Nations.
09.10.2017
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Press release
EDA
The Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Didier Burkhalter, visited Lugano on Monday, 9 October 2017 for a working meeting with Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Angelino Alfano. Prior to discussing a series of pressing bilateral and multilateral issues, Mr Burkhalter and Mr Alfano opened the Forum for Dialogue between Italy and Switzerland, an initiative that seeks to strengthen ties between the two countries and promote an interchange of ideas in the political, economic, financial and cultural spheres.
06.10.2017
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Press release
EDA
Switzerland deposited its instrument of ratification in New York on 6 October 2017, making it an official party to the Paris Agreement. The agreement will come into effect for Switzerland 30 days later, on 5 November 2017. One of the agreement's main objectives is to maintain the increase in global temperatures well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Switzerland was actively involved in the negotiations leading up to the climate agreement.
05.10.2017
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Press release
EDA
As part of an official visit due to end on 6 October 2017, the State Secretary of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Pascale Baeriswyl, has held consultations on policy matters with South Africa, which Switzerland regards as a strategic partner. Taking advantage of her presence in the region, she then also travelled on to the Republic of Mozambique, where she was received today by President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi for deliberations on the peace process. Switzerland and Mozambique have a long tradition of development cooperation and their efforts to resolve the conflict within the country are therefore based on a solid foundation of trust.
01.10.2017
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Press release
EDA
Switzerland – together with Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden – welcomes the agreement on a bilateral temporary ceasefire between the Government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN) which has entered into force on Sunday. The five states that are members of the “Group of Countries for the Support, Accompaniment and Cooperation of the Negotiating Table” in Quito (GPAAC) congratulate the negotiating teams for this important achievement. They expect the ceasefire to improve especially the humanitarian situation of the civilian population.
30.09.2017
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Press release
EDA
On 30 September 2017, the approximately 150 States meeting in Geneva for the first Conference of the Parties (COP1) to the Minamata Convention on Mercury decided to base the Convention in Geneva. “The arrival of the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention will be a boost for Geneva as center of the international environment governance,” said Marc Chardonnens, President of the COP and Director of the Federal Office for the Environment, welcoming the decision.
29.09.2017
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Press release
EDA
Today the Human Rights Council's 36th session in Geneva comes to a close. Switzerland successfully presented two resolutions: one on the death penalty and the other on the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on transitional justice.
22.09.2017
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Press release
EDA
Der Bundesrat hat am 22. September 2017, in seiner neuen Zusammensetzung, die Verteilung der sieben Departemente vorgenommen und die Stellvertretungen geregelt.
21.09.2017
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Press release
EDA
On Tuesday, a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake caused major damage and claimed many lives in Mexico. The epicentre was about a hundred kilometres south of Mexico City. Switzerland immediately offered to help and is sending structural engineers to the affected areas at the request of the Mexican authorities.
19.09.2017
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Press release
EDA
On Tuesday, 19 September, at the 72nd General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) in New York, President Doris Leuthard set out Switzerland’s priorities regarding the organisation’s future challenges. The president’s other engagements included an address at Columbia University’s World Leaders Forum, a speech at a UN Private Sector Forum event and bilateral talks with the British prime minister, Theresa May.