Press releases

Federal Councillors Martin Pfister, Ignazio Cassis and Beat Jans to attend the Munich Security Conference

12.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillors Martin Pfister, Ignazio Cassis and Beat Jans will attend the Munich Security Conference (MSC 26) from 13 to 15 February. In a rapidly changing security environment, this conference offers an opportunity for high-level discussions on how to strengthen Europe's security. It also provides a platform for promoting values such as peace and the rule of law.

2026 Winter Olympics: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis holds talks in Milan

12.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, was in Milan on 11 and 12 February 2026 for the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. He met with the president of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana, and Milan's mayor, Giuseppe Sala. Talks focused on bilateral relations, particularly with the Lombardy region, the tragedy in Crans-Montana, cross-border cooperation and the potential of the 2026 Winter Olympics to bring benefits to the region.

Ukraine: Federal Council approves aid package for the supply of urgently needed energy goods

11.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
Ukraine is currently facing its worst energy crisis since the start of the war. Swiss companies will be delivering high-performance generators and electricity modules to Ukraine in the coming weeks to provide support in this difficult situation. Following a request from the Ukrainian government, on 11 February 2026 the Federal Council approved aid up to a cost ceiling of CHF 32 million.

2026 Winter Olympics: Federal Councillor Cassis travels to Milan

11.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will travel to Milan on 11 and 12 February 2026 on the occasion of the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. There, he will hold talks with regional and city authorities.

OSCE conference on combating antisemitism

09.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
With an appeal to fight antisemitism, hatred and discrimination, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, opened the OSCE conference on ‘Combating anti-Semitism: addressing challenges of intolerance and discrimination’ on 9 February 2026. The two-day conference is taking place in St Gallen and is the first of several international conferences to be held within the framework of Switzerland's 2026 OSCE chairpersonship.

OSCE press release: Meeting between OSCE Chairman Cassis and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov in Moscow

06.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
OSCE Chairman-in-Office Ignazio Cassis and OSCE Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow today. This was the first visit by an OSCE Chairperson-in-Office to the Russian Federation since February 24, 2022.

OSCE press release: OSCE chairman-in-office Cassis to visit Moscow

04.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
OSCE chairman-in-office Ignazio Cassis and OSCE Secretary General, Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu will travel to Moscow on 5-6 February for meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov.

OSCE press release: OSCE chairman-in-office Ignazio Cassis in Ukraine

02.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
In his role as OSCE chairman-in-office, Ignazio Cassis met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv on 2 February 2026.

Federal Council adopts Anti-Corruption Strategy 2026–29

28.01.2026 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 28 January, the Federal Council adopted its Anti-Corruption Strategy 2026–29. The strategy sets priorities for fighting corruption in areas of the Federal Administration that are particularly exposed and present an increased risk, and for reducing the vulnerability of Swiss businesses to corruption abroad. The strategy is mainly intended for the Federal Administration but also for target groups outside the Federal Administration.

AI Summit 2027: Switzerland indicates willingness to host event

28.01.2026 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 28 January, the Federal Council confirmed Switzerland's intention to organise a summit on artificial intelligence (AI) in Geneva in 2027. A final decision will be taken at the next AI summit in Delhi in February.

Switzerland condemns use of chemical weapons in Syria

27.01.2026 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland takes note of the fifth report of the Investigation and Identification Team of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which was mandated to identify the perpetrators of chemical weapons use in Kafr Zita in the Hama Governorate of Syria on 1 October 2016. Switzerland condemns the use of chemical weapons in the strongest terms and calls for those responsible to be held accountable.

Security and multilateral cooperation in today's changing world at the forefront of Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis' talks in Davos

22.01.2026 — Press releases EDA
During his attendance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, focused his discussions on security and stability in Europe and the Middle East, multilateral cooperation and Switzerland's chairpersonship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Federal Councillors Martin Pfister, Ignazio Cassis and Beat Jans to attend the Munich Security Conference

12.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillors Martin Pfister, Ignazio Cassis and Beat Jans will attend the Munich Security Conference (MSC 26) from 13 to 15 February. In a rapidly changing security environment, this conference offers an opportunity for high-level discussions on how to strengthen Europe's security. It also provides a platform for promoting values such as peace and the rule of law.

2026 Winter Olympics: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis holds talks in Milan

12.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, was in Milan on 11 and 12 February 2026 for the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. He met with the president of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana, and Milan's mayor, Giuseppe Sala. Talks focused on bilateral relations, particularly with the Lombardy region, the tragedy in Crans-Montana, cross-border cooperation and the potential of the 2026 Winter Olympics to bring benefits to the region.

Ukraine: Federal Council approves aid package for the supply of urgently needed energy goods

11.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
Ukraine is currently facing its worst energy crisis since the start of the war. Swiss companies will be delivering high-performance generators and electricity modules to Ukraine in the coming weeks to provide support in this difficult situation. Following a request from the Ukrainian government, on 11 February 2026 the Federal Council approved aid up to a cost ceiling of CHF 32 million.

2026 Winter Olympics: Federal Councillor Cassis travels to Milan

11.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will travel to Milan on 11 and 12 February 2026 on the occasion of the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. There, he will hold talks with regional and city authorities.

OSCE conference on combating antisemitism

09.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
With an appeal to fight antisemitism, hatred and discrimination, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, opened the OSCE conference on ‘Combating anti-Semitism: addressing challenges of intolerance and discrimination’ on 9 February 2026. The two-day conference is taking place in St Gallen and is the first of several international conferences to be held within the framework of Switzerland's 2026 OSCE chairpersonship.

OSCE press release: Meeting between OSCE Chairman Cassis and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov in Moscow

06.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
OSCE Chairman-in-Office Ignazio Cassis and OSCE Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow today. This was the first visit by an OSCE Chairperson-in-Office to the Russian Federation since February 24, 2022.

OSCE press release: OSCE chairman-in-office Cassis to visit Moscow

04.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
OSCE chairman-in-office Ignazio Cassis and OSCE Secretary General, Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu will travel to Moscow on 5-6 February for meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov.

OSCE press release: OSCE chairman-in-office Ignazio Cassis in Ukraine

02.02.2026 — Press releases EDA
In his role as OSCE chairman-in-office, Ignazio Cassis met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv on 2 February 2026.

Federal Council adopts Anti-Corruption Strategy 2026–29

28.01.2026 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 28 January, the Federal Council adopted its Anti-Corruption Strategy 2026–29. The strategy sets priorities for fighting corruption in areas of the Federal Administration that are particularly exposed and present an increased risk, and for reducing the vulnerability of Swiss businesses to corruption abroad. The strategy is mainly intended for the Federal Administration but also for target groups outside the Federal Administration.

AI Summit 2027: Switzerland indicates willingness to host event

28.01.2026 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 28 January, the Federal Council confirmed Switzerland's intention to organise a summit on artificial intelligence (AI) in Geneva in 2027. A final decision will be taken at the next AI summit in Delhi in February.

Switzerland condemns use of chemical weapons in Syria

27.01.2026 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland takes note of the fifth report of the Investigation and Identification Team of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which was mandated to identify the perpetrators of chemical weapons use in Kafr Zita in the Hama Governorate of Syria on 1 October 2016. Switzerland condemns the use of chemical weapons in the strongest terms and calls for those responsible to be held accountable.

Security and multilateral cooperation in today's changing world at the forefront of Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis' talks in Davos

22.01.2026 — Press releases EDA
During his attendance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, focused his discussions on security and stability in Europe and the Middle East, multilateral cooperation and Switzerland's chairpersonship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter reappointed

09.12.2015 — Article EDA

The Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has been re-elected with the second-highest number of votes since 1962.

Disasters: what can be done to protect displaced people?

05.10.2015 — Article EDA

The Nansen Initiative, launched by Switzerland and Norway in 2012, will present its findings on 12-13 October in Geneva. For three years its members collected best practices from states that have faced an influx of people displaced by disasters. Walter Kälin, a professor of public international law at the University of Bern who also serves as Envoy of the Chairmanship of the Nansen Initiative, describes the consultation process and discusses the next steps.  

Showdown on development financing in Addis Ababa

10.07.2015 — Article EDA

Article by Ambassador Michael Gerber, «Mehr und «besseres» Geld» (NZZ, 10 July 2015 © NZZ AG)

“It is above all up to each traveller to prepare his or her holidays carefully”

07.07.2015 — Article EDA

The Travel Advice service is an important source of information for anyone going on holiday abroad. The staff of the FDFA Helpline is available to assist Swiss citizens in distress in the event of problems that occur at the destination. Here Hans Peter Heiniger, head of the Helpline, points out some basic precautions to ensure an undisrupted holiday.

"We will be offering additional courses for bricklayers, plumbers and sanitary specialists"

11.05.2015 — Local news EDA

The earthquake in Nepal also caused substantial damage to the Swiss embassy in Kathmandu. In this interview, the Swiss ambassador in Nepal, Urs Herren, explains how he experienced the earthquake, how the embassy functioned during the crisis and what the earthquake means for Switzerland's long-standing commitment in Nepal.

Statement on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of President Abraham Lincoln

14.04.2015 — Article EDA

A hard road ahead to full gender equality (de)

09.03.2015 — Article EDA

Maya Tissafi, Deputy Director of the SDC and Head of South Cooperation Department, on International Women's Day.

Federal Councillor Burkhalter receives students from Lugano

09.02.2015 — Article EDA

"Promoting tolerance and combating anti-Semitism - our collective endeavour because it is our common history and our common future"

13.11.2014 — Article EDA

Bern, 13.11.2014 - Berlin, 13.11.2014 - Opening address by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr. Didier Burkhalter, at the Conference on Anti-Semitism of the OSCE - Check against deliviery

«Chaque génération peut apprendre des autres, pour mieux comprendre le monde» (de/fr)

11.11.2014 — Article EDA

Bern, 11.11.2014 - Bern, 11.11.2014 - Speech by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr. Didier Burkhalter, at the International Law Day of the Directorate of International Law 2014 - Check against deliviery

Youth Parliament Conference: «Notre monde a besoin de vous» (de, fr, it)

31.10.2014 — Position EDA

Laufen, 31.10.2014 - Address by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr. Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, at the Youth Parliament Conference - Check against delivery

"Zusammen die Zukunft bauen" (de)

22.10.2014 — Article EDA

Bern, 22.10.2014 - Greeting by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr. Didier Burkhalter, at the ceremony of attaining the legal age of majority jointly organized by the city of Bern, the FDFA, and the OSA - Check against delivery