Press releases

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UN conference on the Middle East: Switzerland calls emphatically for diplomatic steps towards a two-state solution

30.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
At the UN conference on the two-state solution which took place from 28 to 30 July 2025 in New York, Switzerland called for respect for international humanitarian law by all parties, including the unhindered provision of humanitarian aid to the people of the Gaza Strip and the release of all hostages, an immediate and lasting ceasefire and serious diplomatic efforts to implement the two-state solution. Around 120 states attended the conference.

Switzerland to take part in high-level conference on Middle East and two-state solution

25.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
France and Saudi Arabia will co-chair the high-level international conference to promote a lasting peace in the Middle East and the implementation of the two-state solution. The conference will be held from 28 to 30 July 2025 in New York, under the auspices of the United Nations. Switzerland will be taking part alongside numerous international partners.

UN Sustainable Development Goals: Switzerland calls on all stakeholders to step up cooperation

18.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
This year's High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is taking place from 14 to 23 July 2025 at the UN headquarters in New York. The Swiss delegation is being led by Markus Reubi, the Federal Council Delegate for the 2030 Agenda at the FDFA and will focus on economic growth and decent work.

State Secretary for Security Policy to travel to Chisinau for security policy dialogue with Moldova

17.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Markus Mäder, State Secretary for Security Policy, will hold talks on current security policy developments and bilateral cooperation with his counterparts in Chisinau (Moldova) from 17 to 18 July.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Conference: global security and bilateral relations at centre of talks

11.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 10 and 11 July, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Malaysia. His participation underlines South East Asia's growing economic importance to Switzerland. Mr Cassis used the platform to discuss economic ties, bilateral relations and global challenges with his counterparts from Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore. For the first time, he also met the new Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand on the margins of the conference.

Victims of National Socialism: Call for proposals to design the memorial in Bern

11.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
In April 2023, the Federal Council decided to establish a memorial in the centre of Bern for the victims of National Socialism. The Federal Council considers it vital to keep alive the memory of the consequences of National Socialism, as well as the fate of the six million Jews and all other victims of the Nazi regime. On the recommendation of the communal parliament of the City of Bern, the Casinoterrasse near the Federal Parliament was selected as the location for the site of remembrance. A call is now being organised to gather proposals for the its creation from multidisciplinary teams in the fields of art, architecture and history.

Switzerland reaffirms its commitment to reconstruction at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome

11.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
The Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) has been held since 2022 to coordinate reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. At this year's conference, which took place in Rome from 10 to 11 July, the head of the Swiss delegation, Jacques Gerber, signed an international treaty with Ukraine. This forms the legal basis for increased cooperation with the Swiss private sector in reconstruction. Projects in the areas of health, education and war risk insurance were also approved.

Strengthening economic ties is focus of talks by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in Nepal and Bhutan

09.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visited Nepal and Bhutan during his week-long trip to Asia from 7 to 9 July. The official talks with government representatives centred on bilateral relations and opportunities for deeper economic cooperation.

Les droits des femmes et la non-discrimination au cœur du travail de la Suisse pendant la 59e session du Conseil des droits de l’homme.

08.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Dans un contexte global marqué par le recul de l’Etat de droit, la Suisse travaille avec détermination en faveur des droits de l’homme. Pour cette 59ème session du Conseil des droits de l’homme (CDH) des Nations Unies, un accent particulier a été placé sur la promotion des droits des femmes et de l’égalité de genre, ainsi que sur les droits des personnes LGBT. La session, qui s'est clôturée aujourd’hui après trois semaines et demie de débats, a été marquée par une adaptation du travail imposée par les restrictions budgétaires affectant l’ensemble du système onusien.

Switzerland reopens its embassy in Iran – ambassador returns to Tehran

06.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
As of today, 6 July 2025, the Swiss embassy in Tehran is open again after having temporarily closed on 20 June due to the unstable situation in Iran. Ambassador Nadine Olivieri Lozano and a small team returned to Tehran yesterday overland via Azerbaijan. The embassy will gradually resume operations.

Ignazio Cassis in Asia for ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and bilateral talks

03.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, will be travelling to Asia from 7 to 13 July 2025. He will attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. His participation highlights the growing economic and geopolitical importance of the South East Asian states. Official working visits to Nepal, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore are also planned around the conference.

Presentation of credentials

02.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present their credentials

Media (3508)

Agreements with France and CERN on the law applicable to companies active at the CERN site - Federal Council Dispatch to Parliament

10.10.2012 — Press releases EDA
On 10 October 2012, the Federal Council adopted the Dispatch to Parliament concerning the approval of two agreements signed with France and the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) on the law applicable to companies active on the CERN site. CERN is based in Geneva, and its site is located on both Swiss and French territory.

FDFA Statement - Philippines: agreement between the Government and the MILF

08.10.2012 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland welcomes the framework agreement concluded between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). It recognizes the important role played in this process by the Government of Malaysia as facilitator, the members of the International Contact Group, which comprises the Geneva based “Center for Humanitarian Dialogue”, as well as the members of the International Monitoring Team.

Official visit by Turkmen President to Switzerland

08.10.2012 — Press releases EDA
President of the Swiss Confederation Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf received the Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for an official visit in Lohn mansion in Kehrsatz near Bern on 8 October 2012. Several members of the Turkmen government as well as Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (FDEA), took part in the talks, which focused on bilateral relations, multilateral cooperation and various regional topics.

Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter to visit Madrid

05.10.2012 — Press releases EDA
Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) will be in Madrid on Monday for an official working visit. He will meet with the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Garcia-Margallo y Marfil. On the meeting agenda will be the strengthening of bilateral relations, European policy, work within the multilateral organisations, and also an exchange of views on currently important international affairs.

State visit of the President of Poland

04.10.2012 — Press releases EDA
On 4 October 2012, the Federal Council received the Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski and his wife on the occasion of a state visit to Switzerland. Military honours at the Bundesplatz and speeches in the Wandelhalle in the House of Parliament were followed by official talks between the Swiss delegation headed by the President of the Confederation, Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, and the Polish delegation. An excursion to the cantons of Fribourg and Vaud is scheduled for the second day of the state visit.

Better protection for persons displaced by natural disasters

02.10.2012 — Press releases EDA
Norway and Switzerland intend to set up an international agenda for the protection of persons forced to leave their country as a consequence of natural disasters. The Nansen Initiative was launched in Geneva on 2 October 2012 in the presence of Steffen Kongstad, Norway's Ambassador to the UN, and Manuel Bessler, the Federal Council delegate for humanitarian aid. The initiative aims to address the need for normative and institutional measures to protect those affected.

Logo competition: 150 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Switzerland

01.10.2012 — Press releases EDA
In 2014, Switzerland and Japan will celebrate 150 years of diplomatic relations and friendship. In the run-up to this year of friendship, a public competition is being held to select the official anniversary logo. The competition is open to anyone resident in Switzerland or Japan, as well as to all holders of Swiss or Japanese citizenship.

State visit of the Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski on 4 - 5 October 2012

27.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
At the invitation of the Federal Council, the President of the Republic of Poland, Bronislaw Komorowski, will pay a state visit to Switzerland on 4-5 October 2012. Official talks will focus on questions related to European politics and economics as well as topics of current international importance.

Switzerland becomes State Party to three United Nations Treaties on Privileges and Immunities

25.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
During the Treaty Event organized by the United Nations in New York Switzerland ratified on 25 September 2012 the Agreement of 9 September 2002 on the Privileges and Immunities of the International Criminal Court. It also became State Party to the Convention of 13 February 1946 on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations and to the Convention of 21 November 1947 on the Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies of the United Nations. In so doing, Switzerland reaffirmes its commitment to the universality of international law.

Switzerland to participate in the XIVth Summit of La Francophonie in Kinshasa

21.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council decided on Friday to appoint the Vice-President of the Federal Council, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer, to head the delegation which will attend the XIVth Summit of La Francophonie. The Summit takes place in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on 13-14 October 2012. Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will head the Swiss delegation participating in the 28th session of the Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie on 11 October 2012.

Basel to host the OSCE Ministerial Council in 2014

21.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
The city of Basel has been chosen by the Federal Council to host the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in December 2014, which Switzerland will chair. The Ministerial Council brings together the foreign ministers of the organization’s 56 member countries, which comprise all the states of Europe, the countries that emerged from the break-up of the Soviet Union, the United States and Canada.

Swiss President Widmer-Schlumpf and Federal Councillor Burkhalter at the 67th UN General Assembly in New York

19.09.2012 — Press releases EDA
Swiss President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf and Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will be representing Switzerland during the High-Level week running from 24 to 28 September at the 67th UN General Assembly in New York. President Widmer-Schlumpf will present the priorities of Switzerland’s UN policy at the General Debate on 25 September. These include, for example, the international security situation, and in particular, the events in Syria, as well as the issues of UN reform and sustainable development. In addition, the two representatives of the Swiss government will seize the opportunity of the presence of high-level delegations in New York to hold various bilateral meetings.

Other news (151)

SwissInTouch, Switzerland in your pocket

24.11.2022 — Article EDA
Approximately 780,000 Swiss citizens abroad currently benefit from the wide range of services provided by a global network of representations offering advice and support. The FDFA Helpline is also on hand to answer queries 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Now there's a new app that makes staying in touch even easier: SwissInTouch keeps Switzerland at your fingertips.

Speech - 150e anniversaire du passage de la frontière de l’armée du général Bourbaki

29.01.2022 — EDA
Allocution du président de la Confédération Ignazio Cassis, chef du Département fédéral des affaires étrangères, à l’occasion du 150e anniversaire du passage de la frontière de l’armée du général Bourbaki - Check against delivery.

"Digitalisation - an opportunity for Europe's democratic values"

21.05.2021 — EDA
Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), on the occasion of the 131st (virtual) Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Check against delivery.

Official opening of the Ceneri Base Tunnel

04.09.2020 — EDA
Camorino, 04.09.2020 - Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the Inauguration Ceremony "Ceneri2020" - Check against delivery

Passaggio di testimone tra generazioni (de-fr-it)

25.08.2020 — EDA
Bern, 25.08.2020: Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the retirement of the ambassadors and the welcoming of the young diplomats who are taking up their posts in the service of the FDFA. Check against delivery.

75 years of the United Nations (fr)

26.06.2020 — EDA
Geneva, 26.06.2020: Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the 75th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter - Check against delivery

Opening of the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council (fr)

24.02.2020 — EDA
Geneva, 24.02.2020 - Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis - Check against delivery

Discover the world with the FDFA and with peace mind

17.01.2020 — Article EDA
Just what is the perfect trip abroad? And where would it take you? Swiss travellers have different needs and expectations – some prefer to go on their own, others would rather choose an organised tour. It doesn't matter if you're a backpacker or a jet-setter: the FDFA provides a wide range of services for anyone who wants to travel abroad.

Switzerland and Italy reach an agreement on Campione d'Italia

20.12.2019 — EDA
At its meeting on 20 December 2019, the Federal Council approved an exchange of notes between Switzerland and Italy regarding the change of the customs status of the Italian enclave of Campione d'Italia. This exchange of notes is necessary to ensure legal certainty and facilitates the transition of Campione d'Italia into the European Union's customs territory, scheduled for 1 January 2020.

Third meeting of the Working Group on Unresolved Issues established by the Joint Committee supervising the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation

19.12.2019 — EDA
On 16 and 17 December 2019 a third meeting of the Working Group on Unresolved Issues established by the Joint Committee, supervising the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation on the basic principles for a mechanism of customs administration and monitoring of trade in goods, signed on 9 November 2011, took place in Bern.

First Global Refugee Forum in Geneva brings together actors committed to finding shared solutions

17.12.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has opened the Global Refugee Forum together with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. The purpose of the forum, which takes place on 17 and 18 December at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, is to find shared solutions to meet the needs of refugees and their host communities.

Federal Council extends freeze on assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine

13.12.2019 — EDA
On 13 December 2019, the Federal Council decided to extend for one year the preventive freeze on the assets relating to Tunisia and Ukraine. The purpose of this decision is to support the judicial cooperation between Switzerland and these two states.

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