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.
24.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, took part in a high-level UN Security Council debate in New York on 24 February 2023. Mr Cassis called for the withdrawal of Russia's armed forces present on Ukraine's sovereign territory for a year and for respect of the Geneva Conventions. He also underscored Switzerland's commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
23.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
Doctors, engineers, winter tents: Swiss Humanitarian Aid is continuing to support people affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. It has now been over two weeks since the devastating earthquake and people in the affected areas are still desperately in need of humanitarian assistance. Some CHF 8 million has already been made available to aid the survivors.
23.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
On 23 February 2023, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, attended an emergency special session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The deliberations focused on Russia's ongoing military aggression against Ukraine, which began a year ago. Mr Cassis voiced his support for the General Assembly's resolution calling for a peaceful settlement of the conflict.
22.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
On 22 February 2023 the Federal Council approved an interest-bearing loan of CHF 3.8 million for the Foundation for Buildings for International Organisations. The amount is earmarked for the renovation of the headquarters building of the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF) in Bern. The work will last two years (2024–25).
22.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a military attack on Ukraine in violation of international law. In response, the Federal Council decided to adopt the EU's sanctions against Russia, thus bolstering their impact. The Swiss government also provided humanitarian assistance to people affected by the war in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. In Switzerland, over 75,000 Ukrainians have been granted protection status S. One year after the military aggression began, the Federal Council expresses its solidarity with the war-stricken population, takes stock of its engagement and requests, at its meeting of 22 February 2023, the immediate release of a new aid package totalling CHF 140 million.
21.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Ignazio Cassis, received Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Deputy Prime Minister Tanja Fajon in Riehen (Basel-Stadt). Their discussions focused on the war in Ukraine, the work of the UN Security Council, Switzerland's European policy and the excellent bilateral relations between Switzerland and Slovenia.
20.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
Today sees the start of the third international Romansh Language Week ('Emna rumantscha'), an initiative promoted by the FDFA in cooperation with the canton of Graubünden and the Lia Rumantscha. This year's scheduled events include a cookery workshop in Bern involving federal councillor and head of the FDFA, Ignazio Cassis, president of the National Council, Martin Candinas, and other distinguished guests; a themed evening in London; and language courses in New York. The aim is to raise awareness abroad of multilingual Switzerland.
16.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis opened the first Education Cannot Wait (ECW) High-Level Financing Conference on 16 February 2023. Switzerland pledged CHF 35 million to ECW, the UN's global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises, until 2026. Education4Future was also the focus of the second edition of the IC Forum, which brought together 1,300 participants from more than 120 countries in Geneva and online.
16.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
From 17 to 19 February, Vice President of the Federal Council Viola Amherd and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will be attending the Munich Security Conference. During this working visit, the heads of the DDPS and the FDFA will exchange views with their counterparts on security and foreign policy issues.
15.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
At its meeting on 15 February 2023, the Federal Council appointed Franz Perrez as head of the Directorate of International Law at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). Mr Perrez (56) will take up his post on 1 July 2023, succeeding Corinne Cicéron Bühler, who has been appointed ambassador to the Netherlands. Mr Perrez currently heads the International Affairs Division at the Federal Office for the Environment.
15.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
For the first time, the Federal Council has adopted a regional strategy concerning the countries of South East Asia. The strategy is intended to broaden Switzerland's relations with the region and to coherently harness the many opportunities offered by the overall growth of the Asia-Pacific. It complements the China Strategy that the Federal Council approved in 2021.
15.02.2023
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Press release
EDA
At its meeting on 15 February 2023, the Federal Council decided to launch administrative proceedings to confiscate assets frozen in Switzerland following the Ukrainian revolution in February 2014. The confiscation proceedings in Switzerland will apply to all the assets liable to confiscation – in total over CHF 130 million. In taking this action, Switzerland is supporting Ukraine. Today's decision is entirely unrelated to the sanctions against Russia adopted in 2022.
Last update 13.01.2023
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