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 News Service of the Federal Administration.
18.01.2019
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Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council holds the view that the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting is of great importance. Four Federal Council members will be attending the event this year; around 50 bilateral meetings are expected to take place. President Ueli Maurer will open the event with WEF founder Prof. Klaus Schwab on Tuesday, 22 January.
16.01.2019
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting of 16 January 2019, the Federal Council decided on the arrangements for consultations on the draft institutional agreement between Switzerland and the European Union. Interactive consultations will be held in the form of meetings with the groups concerned, providing an opportunity to explain the draft agreement and answer questions. The Federal Council will review the status of these consultations in the spring.
16.01.2019
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Press releases
EDA
From January to April 2019, Switzerland holds the chairmanship of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC). The Forum’s Security Dialogues are an opportunity for the 57 OSCE member States to discuss issues of military security and stability in Europe. The Forum provides a platform for action to address issues such as the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons.
14.01.2019
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has hosted a working meeting with Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Enzo Moavero Milanesi in Lugano. The two ministers underlined the close relationship between Switzerland and Italy and discussed a number of bilateral and multilateral issues. Switzerland's European policy was also on the agenda.
13.01.2019
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Press releases
EDA
Mit grosser Betroffenheit nimmt das EDA vom schweren Unfall Kenntnis, bei dem am 12. Januar 2019 in Schweden sechs Schweizer Staatsangehörige ums Leben gekommen sind und ein Schweizer verletzt wurde. Bundesrat Ignazio Cassis spricht den Angehörigen der Opfer und des Verletzten im Namen des Bundesrates sein tief empfundenes Mitgefühl aus.
10.01.2019
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Press releases
EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, had talks on Thursday in Durban with Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Zweli Lawrence Mkhize and Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan. The main topics of discussion included bilateral relations and economic cooperation with Switzerland, challenges for South Africa including the 2019 elections, the economic reform programme, decentralisation, migration issues, global geopolitics and multilateralism.
09.01.2019
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis paid a brief visit to Zimbabwe on Wednesday where he visited the Newlands Clinic in the suburbs of Harare. The clinic is run by the Ruedi Lüthy Foundation, which receives support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Mr Cassis, who is the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), was accompanied on his visit to the clinic by Zimbabwe's health minister, Obadiah Moyo, and the clinic's founder, Ruedi Lüthy.
08.01.2019
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Press releases
EDA
Federal councillor Ignazio Cassis signed an air services agreement on Tuesday in Lusaka with Acting Minister of Transport and Communications Kafwaya Mutotwe. This agreement strengthens ties between the two countries and is one of a range of measures with the potential to strengthen economic relations. During this first visit by a federal councillor to Zambia, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) also met with President Edgar Lungu.
04.01.2019
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will visit Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa next week during his first trip to Africa. The main goals of the trip are to strengthen economic and political relations with these three southern African countries, including by signing an agreement on air transport with Zambia, and to visit projects supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), particularly in the field of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.
21.12.2018
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Press releases
EDA
Sebastian Hueber has been appointed as the new head of FDFA Information by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis. Currently head of communication at the Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate, Mr Hueber will take up his new post at the FDFA in April 2019 at the latest.
20.12.2018
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 19 December, the Federal Council approved an agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) on the rights of citizens following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU (Brexit). The agreement safeguards the rights of Swiss and UK nationals acquired under the Free Movement of Persons Agreement (e.g. residence rights). This measure is part of the Swiss government’s ‘Mind the Gap’ strategy, the purpose of which is to ensure the acquired rights and obligations of citizens after Brexit.
20.12.2018
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Press releases
EDA
Jacques Pitteloud, former Swiss ambassador to Kenya, has been exonerated by the Appeals Chamber of the Federal Criminal Court. On 19 December 2018, the court dismissed an appeal against the Special Attorney General's discontinuance of proceedings. This decision is now final. The FDFA, which has always defended Mr Pitteloud, takes note of the court's decision with satisfaction.
Last update 23.04.2025
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