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.
30.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has received the Brazilian foreign minister, Mauro Vieira, in Solothurn. Political and economic relations and collaboration in the fields of sustainability, science and multilateral forums were at the heart of the discussions. The Brazilian minister's Swiss origins were also discussed.
27.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
On Sunday 28 April, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will travel to Saudi Arabia for a World Economic Forum special meeting. In his capacity as head of the FDFA, Mr Cassis was invited by his Saudi counterpart to attend the two-day event which aims to bridge the growing North-South divide by promoting global collaboration.
25.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
On 24 April 2024, the UN General Assembly approved funding for an independent institution to investigate cases of missing persons in Syria, to be based in Geneva. As part of its peace policy, Switzerland is firmly committed to clarifying the fate of detained and missing persons. In doing so, it is making a significant contribution to dealing with the past, which is central to peace processes – including in Syria. Switzerland therefore welcomes the international community's decision for the institution to begin its work in International Geneva in 2024.
25.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
The r4d programme of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) came to a close today at a public event in Bern. The two institutions also took the opportunity to launch a new programme called Solution-oriented Research for Development (SOR4D). The two programmes involve the implementation of projects in the fields of health, food security, social conflicts, ecosystems, employment and income in developing countries.
24.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 24 April 2024, the Federal Council decided to proceed with the planned use of CHF 56 million of humanitarian funding earmarked for the Middle East. The FDFA has been instructed to consult with the foreign affairs committees on this matter. A decision on the disbursement of the Swiss contribution to UNRWA will be made at a later date.
23.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, received Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg in Bern today. Their discussions focused on the close bilateral relations between the two countries, Switzerland's European policy, current international affairs and the security situation. Both ministers reaffirmed their joint commitment to promoting global peace.
18.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Palestine's application for full UN membership will not be submitted to the UN General Assembly due to the veto by the United States on 18 April in the UN Security Council. Switzerland abstained from the vote. After assessing the situation and consulting with the chairs of the parliamentary foreign affairs committees, the Federal Council concluded that granting Palestine full UN membership at this time would not be conducive to easing the situation and peace efforts in the Middle East. Switzerland remains committed to the two-state solution.
18.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
On 17–18 April, representatives from more than 50 countries and organisations gathered at an international workshop in Kyiv to discuss measures for identifying and clearing mines and unexploded ordnance in Ukraine. Good coordination of national activities and international support is crucial to ensure that this work can progress swiftly and effectively. The workshop was co-organised by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). Switzerland, whose delegation at the conference was led by Ambassador Simon Geissbühler, has a long history of supporting humanitarian demining through the GICHD and other organisations. Clearing the country of mines is a key prerequisite for Ukraine's recovery.
17.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
State Secretary Alexandre Fasel received a US delegation for political consultations in Bern on 17 April. The delegation was led by Assistant Secretary James O'Brien, who is in charge of European and Eurasian affairs at the US Department of State. On the agenda were the many ongoing or recently concluded bilateral negotiations, particularly in the area of taxation, which are concrete examples of the dynamism of bilateral relations.
15.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
At the international donors' conference on 15 April 2024 in Paris, Switzerland pledged CHF 19 million to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Sudan. As a result of the ongoing hostilities over the past year, the country is experiencing one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our time. To date, 8.6 million people have been displaced, and the country is on the brink of a devastating famine. From the beginning of the crisis, Switzerland has been actively engaged at multiple levels to help end the conflict and improve the situation on the ground.
12.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
The third International Cooperation Forum (IC Forum) concluded today in Basel. Over 1,000 representatives from politics, business, science, and civil society gathered alongside President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd, FDFA head Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, and Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde to discuss the theme of peace promotion. Discussions centred on three core values: critical dialogue, trust, and innovation, all aimed at finding new pathways for tangible and sustainable progress. A highlight of the 2024 forum was the Swiss IC Awards, recognising innovative peace-building projects by Swiss companies.
12.04.2024
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis paid an official visit to Croatia today. He was received by his counterpart, Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman. The meeting focused on bilateral relations, Swiss–EU relations and the geopolitical context.
13.12.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 10 December 2010, the Federal Council approved the 2010 Foreign Policy Report. The report gives a complete overview of Switzerland’s foreign policy. In particular it shows how Switzerland can exercise an influence in today’s interconnected international environment and the instruments available to it for this purpose. In addition, this comprehensive document renders account of Switzerland’s most important foreign policy activities from mid-2009 to mid-2010.
10.12.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council today decided to sign the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. By acceding to the Convention, Switzerland is making its contribution to the fight against a serious violation of human rights.
07.12.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
Switzerland’s development cooperation in the agricultural sector is bearing fruit. The nearly CHF 1.2 billion deployed between 2003 and 2008 have helped to increase the production and the productivity of family-run agricultural enterprises, improve framework conditions for trade, and optimise the value chain between producers and consumers. Each year, Swiss humanitarian aid also helps several million people in critical situations. These are some of the conclusions of the joint report of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) on the effectiveness of Swiss development cooperation in the agricultural sector.
07.12.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
With international assistance, the widespread fires that claimed 42 lives in northern Israel have been put out. The three Swiss helicopters that were deployed are standing by in case they are needed again. Overall, however, the international aid operation has been concluded. In a ceremony of thanks, the Israeli government recognized the achievements of helpers from 15 countries.
06.12.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), today received Jakob Kellenberger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The topics of discussion included current challenges to international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians affected by armed conflict and the preparation of the 31st International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent to be held in November 2011.
03.12.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
Switzerland will send three Air Force Cougar helicopters to Israel to help fight the devastating forest fires in the north of the country. In the last few hours, 41 people have died in the worst outbreak of bush and forest fires in the country’s history; more than 17,000 more have had to be evacuated from their homes.
25.11.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
The Heads of State and Government of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) member States will hold a Summit meeting on 1 and 2 December 2010 in Astana. Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will represent Switzerland at this Summit meeting in the capital of Kazakhstan.
25.11.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council is hosting the President of the Republic of Turkey, Abdullah Gül, who is paying a two-day state visit to Switzerland on 25 and 26 November. He is accompanied by his wife, Hayrünnisa Gül. President Gül arrived at Zurich airport this morning where he was received with military honours. Official discussions between the delegations of the two states later took place in Bern. On Friday, Turkish and Swiss business representatives will exchange views at a forum on renewable energies.
24.11.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
Today, Expo 2015 Milan has been officially registered at the Annual General Meeting of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in Paris. The Federal Council has already announced Switzerland’s participation in the World Expo in Italy. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) will be responsible for the organisation of the Swiss pavilion at the expo.
22.11.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
This year’s World Health Report focuses on health system financing and addresses the issue of how universal and equitable access to health services can be achieved. It will be launched by the WHO Director General Margaret Chan on 22 November 2010 in Berlin, just before the opening of an international ministerial conference dedicated to this subject. Switzerland is taking part in this international conference with a delegation led by Dr Tim Guldimann, Swiss ambassador in Germany.
22.11.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
Today, a doctor and a nurse have been sent to Haiti to assist in the fight against the cholera epidemic. This follows up on the secondment at the end of October of water experts to Haiti to support the state authorities in ensuring the supply of clean drinking water. The doctor and the nurse will be seconded to the Albert Schweizer Hospital in the Department of Artebonite, the most severely affected region of the country.
19.11.2010 —
Press releases
EDA
At the Annual Conference on Swiss Cooperation with Central and Eastern Europe, Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, and Elżbieta Bieńkowska, the Polish Minister for Regional Development, together with other speakers from Switzerland and abroad conducted a review of the progress made to date on the implementation of EU enlargement contribution projects: implementation is proceeding satisfactorily. Around 350 people attended the annual conference.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
29.01.2020 —
DEZA
The FDFA has showcased some innovative technology at the 50th WEF, which could reduce global CO2 emissions by millions of tonnes per year. The SDC undertakes a range of projects in the construction industry, working in cooperation with academia and the private sector. The aim of these projects, which are located in emerging economies, is to tackle global warming effectively.
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.
14.01.2020 —
Article
DEZA
Honeyland has been nominated for an Oscar in the categories Best International Feature Film and Best Documentary. The film’s hero, Hatidze Muratova, champions environmental protection and the sustainable management of natural resources. She was discovered through the Nature Conservation Programme launched by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
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.
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.