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.
24.02.2010
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Press releases
EDA
In the context of the prolongation of the freeze on the Duvalier assets, which the Federal Council decided on 3 February 2010, today the Federal Council has decided to submit the draft Federal Act on the restitution of assets of illicit origin to a consultation procedure. The Duvalier assets could be first case to which the law would apply once it enters into force. For this to happen however it must first be passed by Parliament. With this draft law, Switzerland confirms its leading position worldwide in the restitution of assets of illicit origin.
24.02.2010
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Press releases
EDA
Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Serbia about assistance in intellectual property matters
19.02.2010
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Press releases
EDA
In the framework of its Chairmanship of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, on 18 and 19 February 2010 Switzerland organised a Ministerial Conference in Interlaken in order to decisively spur the reform of the overburdened European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). By issuing a joint declaration the representatives of the 47 Member States of the Council of Europe confirm their intention to secure the long-term future of the ECHR.
18.02.2010
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Press releases
EDA
At the Annual Media Conference held in Bern, the SDC acquainted the audience with the priority activities planned for 2010. Making a contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and enhancing food security are vested with a prominent role.
18.02.2010
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), today met her Spanish and Libyan counterparts in Madrid. Spain currently holds the presidency of the EU Council of ministers. They discussed the differences between Switzerland and Libya as well as visa issues.
17.02.2010
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Press releases
EDA
An international workshop on Water Security in the Middle East was held at Montreux on February 15-16., attracting participation of 60 leading policymakers, including members of Parliament, former Cabinet Ministers, research senior leaders of Water Commissions and heads of research institutions from across the Middle East.
17.02.2010
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Press releases
EDA
The number of Swiss nationals living abroad rose in 2009 by 8,798 to 684,974. In 2000, 580,396 Swiss nationals were living abroad. The increase is caused mainly by the number of persons with dual nationality, which has risen from 405,921 to 493,468.
15.02.2010
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Press releases
EDA
Today, a new Swiss-EU bilateral agreement was signed by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Ms Androulla Vassiliou, the EU Commissioner for Culture, Education, Multiligualism, and Youth and Mr Ángel Gabilondo Pujol, Spanish Minister of Education and representative of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This bilateral agreement will enable Switzerland to officially take part in EU education, training and youth programmes.
10.02.2010
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Press releases
EDA
Today, Wednesday, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey had talks at ministerial-level in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The discussions centred around bilateral relations, Francophonie, and development cooperation, specifically in regard to healthcare. Afterwards the head of the FDFA travelled to the province of South Kivu to visit programmes run by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
10.02.2010
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Press releases
EDA
The Ministerial Conference planned by Switzerland for Thursday and Friday of next week, 18 and 19 February, in Interlaken aims at decisively encouraging the reform of the chronically overburdened European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). In this way Switzerland confirms its traditional commitment to protect human rights and ensures in the long term the future of the ECHR.
08.02.2010
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey will travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo and to Tanzania from 9-13 February 2010 to hold talks on ministerial level. While in the DRC, she will visit SDC programmes in South Kivu Province in the east of the country. The trip will focus on Switzerland’s cooperation and development activities, in particular in the health sector.
03.02.2010
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Press releases
EDA
In pursuing its policy to avoid allowing the Swiss financial centre to become a haven for illicitly acquired assets, the Federal Council has reached a decision to continue the freeze on the Duvalier assets on the basis of the Constitution. In view of the criminal origin of these funds, the Federal Council in this way avoids releasing the approximately USD 5.7 million for the benefit of the Duvalier clan, which the Federal Criminal Court deems to be a criminal organisation. At the same time, the Federal Council has instructed the FDFA to complete by the end of the month its work on drafting a federal law that would ultimately allow such assets to be confiscated, and to submit the draft law for consultation.
Last update 19.07.2023
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