Press releases

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.

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Conclusion of the XIIIth Summit of the Francophonie in Montreux under the theme of

28.10.2010 — Press releases EDA
The XIIIth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Francophonie, held in Montreux on 23 and 24 October under the presidency of Doris Leuthard, President of the Swiss Confederation, culminated in the Montreux Declaration, a substantive text accompanied by several resolutions. Switzerland welcomes the constructive and concrete results achieved by this summit, which also opened its doors to the public with numerous special literary and cultural events. The Secretary General of the Francophonie, Abdou Diouf, was elected for a third four-year term. The next Summit of the Francophonie will be hosted by the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2012.


Cholera epidemic in Haiti: SDC sends drinking water experts

26.10.2010 — Press releases EDA
The SDC is sending two drinking water experts to Haiti. These will work together with the national authorities and support them in the testing and production of clean drinking water in rural areas. The goal is to ensure there is a secure source of drinking water in every municipality checked. In this way SDC is helping to tackle the causes of the disease in the fight against cholera.


The FDFA thanks all partners involved in the success of the XIIIth Summit of the Francophonie

25.10.2010 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) welcomes the excellent organisation and hosting of the XIIIth Summit of the Francophonie, which was held from 22-24 October in Montreux. Some 40 heads of state and government, as well as delegations representing member and observer countries of the International Organisation of the Francophonie (IOF) were welcomed to this successful high-level conference. The FDFA would like to emphasise the engagement of all partners involved in this Summit. The department extends its warm thanks to them.


Official visit to Bern by the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper

22.10.2010 — Press releases EDA
President Doris Leuthard, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (FDEA), today received the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper at the Lohn country residence in Kehrsatz for an official visit. The Canadian Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and for La Francophonie, Josée Verner. Federal Councillors Mich-eline Calmy-Rey and Hans-Rudolf Merz were also present. During the visit, a protocol was signed amending the Double Taxation Agreement between Switzerland and Canada. The dele-gations also officially announced an expansion of the bilateral aviation agreement.


Conclusion of the 26th session of the Ministerial Conference of French-speaking Countries in Montreux

21.10.2010 — Press releases EDA
The 2010 Ministerial Conference of French-speaking Countries concluded its work today, under the aegis of the Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Micheline Calmy-Rey, in the run-up to the XIII Francophonie Summit to be held on 23-24 October in Montreux. At this meeting the Ministerial Conference reaffirmed the position of French-speaking countries as a major player in international relations that can act as a forum for consultation, cooperation and influence both before and after discussions and decisions taken in other spheres. It also emphasized the solidarity of French-speaking countries in addressing the new challenges such as sustainable development, education and innovation.


Global Compact marks tenth anniversary

21.10.2010 — Press releases EDA
“Global Compact” aims to integrate private-sector companies into international efforts in the field of development cooperation. In 2010, Global Compact will celebrate its tenth anniversary. To mark the occasion, experts will take part in a discussion on 26 October organized by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development on the achievements to date and the challenges of the future.


Rilasciata la concessione alla centrale austro-svizzera Inn

19.10.2010 — Press releases EDA
D’intesa con le autorità del Cantone Grigioni e del Tirolo, il Dipartimento federale dell’ambiente, dei trasporti, dell’energia e delle comunicazioni (DATEC) ha rilasciato alla società Gemeinschaftswerk Inn GmbH (GKI) una concessione per lo sfruttamento della forza idrica del fiume Inn e un’autorizzazione edilizia per la realizzazione di una centrale tra le località di Martina (in Svizzera) e Prutz (in Austria).


Forty heads of state and government meet in Switzerland for the 13th Summit of French-Speaking Communities

18.10.2010 — Press releases EDA
A few days before the opening of the 13th Summit of French-Speaking Communities (22-24 October 2010) the Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Micheline Calmy-Rey, has reiterated the importance of the event that Switzerland is about to host. Seventy countries will be represented in Montreux, around forty by their heads of state and government. Micheline Calmy-Rey also reiterated that Switzerland’s wish was to introduce new ideas in both the programmes and the topics discussed to make this summit into a political meeting.


Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey meets the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Jigme Thinley

18.10.2010 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey met the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Jigme Thinley, today in Bern. They discussed various issues, including development aid, the environment and human rights. During his visit to Switzerland, Mr Thinley also had discussions with the President of the Confederation, Doris Leuthard, as well as with Federal Councillor Moritz Leuenberger.


Signing of two agreements on the law applicable to enterprises participating in CERN activities

18.10.2010 — Press releases EDA
On 18 October 2010, Ambassador Valentin Zellweger, Director of the Directorate for Public International Law of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, signed on behalf of the Federal Council a bilateral agreement with France, as well as a trilateral agreement with France and the CERN, for determining the law applicable both to enterprises active at the CERN site and to their personnel.


Federal councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey to take part in an event in Bern on 16 October to mark World Food Day

15.10.2010 — Press releases EDA
Mrs Micheline Calmy-Rey will participate in the demonstration against hunger organised by the Swiss Alliance against Hunger on the federal square in Bern on 16 October. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs will take this opportunity to stress that hunger is not inevitable, that the right to do adequate sustenance is a universal human right and that governments should take action to combat this evil, which causes the deaths of 24,000 persons every day.


The role of religions and worldviews in Swiss peace policy

14.10.2010 — Press releases EDA
Religions and world views play a central role in many conflicts. This is why Switzerland pays particular attention to this aspect in its worldwide commitment to peace promotion. This is the central topic of this year's annual conference of Political Affairs Division IV of the FDFA in Bern. Prominent figures from Switzerland and abroad analyse the topic of different religious and cultural perspectives, exchange experiences and discuss new ways forward.

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Last update 19.07.2023

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