2021

Many Swiss nationals travelling abroad ask the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA for recommendations and advice on their journey. A list of questions and answers.

On Monday evening, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis was a guest on the programme "60 Minuti" on RSI. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) spoke about the importance of federalism in Switzerland and the measures adopted by the Federal Council to combat the COVID 19 pandemic. Among other things, personal responsibility and mutual solidarity are decisive factors in the fight against the pandemic.

Poor sanitary conditions pose a health risk. This is a major problem, particularly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But even today, one third of the world's population has no adequate access to clean water. To help people living poverty protect themselves during the current pandemic, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is supporting hygiene awareness campaigns and the creation of more handwashing stations.

Discussions on the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on low-income countries have gained considerable momentum. Remittances from migrants and wider diaspora communities to their countries of origin are a key issue in this respect. Switzerland is therefore launching an appeal to keep remittance channels open and give the poorest communities continued access to these vital sources of income.

As long-standing partners, Switzerland and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) apply the same principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence to their humanitarian efforts. To respond more effectively to global challenges and increasing digitalisation, both parties signed a protocol on 27 November 2020 amending the agreement that governs the ICRC's status in Switzerland. What does this cooperation entail?

Hurricanes Eta and Iota have caused widespread damage as well as numerous deaths and injuries across Central America. Switzerland immediately dispatched a team of disaster management experts to Guatemala and released CHF 2 million to address the urgent needs of communities in Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala. Flisch Jörimann is coordinating the relief efforts from the Cooperation Office in Managua.

The world watched this September as devastating floods hit Sudan. Back in Switzerland, Yvonne Josy Müller tells us of her experiences working as a water and environmental sanitation expert for the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit. We also talk on durable solutions – a key concept accompanying Switzerland's activities in the region – with Amir Hamid, Humanitarian Aid Adviser in Khartoum.

Corinne Cicéron Bühler, Ambassador and Director of the Directorate of International Law of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will chair a panel discussion with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on the subject of international humanitarian law. In a prior interview, she explains why Switzerland has been committed to strengthening international humanitarian law for many years.

Following the incidents around the Capitol in Washington DC, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis condemned any attack on freedom, democracy and national integrity. At the same time, he underlined his confidence in the institutions of the USA. State Secretary Livia Leu received the Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Bern.

Switzerland and China are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations. What began with a telegram on 17 January 1950 has grown into a close and multifaceted relationship. Switzerland continues to take a constructive shaping role in this partnership, addressing differences on an equal footing with China. What follows are seven stories on seven decades of lively relations covering partnership, diplomacy, economic affairs, science, culture, tourism and sport.

Switzerland has decided to offer financial support to help renovate the barracks of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. The contribution comes in the light of the 100th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and the Vatican, and offers the perfect opportunity to learn more about the renovation project as well as about life in this multilingual corps that is also the world's smallest army.

Following a break of almost 50 years, Switzerland and the Vatican resumed diplomatic relations in 1920. In his book "The Pope and the Federal Council", historian Lorenzo Planzi writes that one of the reasons for the rapprochement was the joint commitment during the First World War providing aid to captured German and French soldiers suffering from illnesses.

Switzerland is a member of the UN. Since 2002 it has expressed its opinion on the global organisation's decisions through the right to vote granted to all member states. Switzerland is a candidate to join the Security Council for the period 2023–24. Will its candidacy change how it votes at the UN? FDFA's experts maintain that it will not.

What is the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) exactly? And what does it have to do with a washing machine spin cycle? Find out here.

Ambassador Christian Meuwly, permanent representative of Switzerland to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, talks about the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which is turning 70. He discusses its influence, importance and future, and the crucial role of intergovernmental cooperation, especially in times of crisis.

Switzerland's candidacy for the UN Security Council is entering its final phase. "We want to contribute to security and peace in the world”: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis explains the reason behind Switzerland's candidacy in an interview with the "Tages-Anzeiger". Particularly the non-permanent members of the Security Council can play an important role as "a lubricant between world powers".

The FDFA advises caution and preparation when travelling during the summer holidays. Information on the regulations of the country of destination as well as on the rules for returning to Switzerland are prerequisites.

Summer is here! Switzerland offers many opportunities to spend the summer holidays, especially with children. However, if you still want to travel abroad with children this summer, it is important to find out about the entry requirements for the destination country before you leave. In the case of minor children travelling with only one parent or without a legal guardian, it is strongly recommended to draw up a declaration of consent.

The Federal Council ordered a freeze on any assets of ousted Tunisian President Ben Ali and his entourage on 19 January 2011. Subsequently, a judicial cooperation between Tunisia and Switzerland was established. Within the framework of this cooperation, the judicial authorities ordered additional asset freezes. As a result, the expiration of the Federal Council's freezing order as of midnight on 18 January 2021 does not necessarily mean that the assets in question will be released.

Mountain regions are particularly threatened by the effects of climate change. Switzerland is committed to the sustainable development of the world's mountain regions and better living conditions for the especially vulnerable populations who inhabit these areas in developing countries. UN-designated International Mountain Day raises awareness of the importance and fragility of mountain ecosystems.

By supporting a new training programme for sanitary engineers, Swiss international cooperation is helping Ukraine switch from theory-based learning to a practice-based system. This gives young people job prospects in their own country. The public-private project underlines the importance of a holistic approach in international cooperation.

This World AIDS Day, we visit Geneva and Harare to hear the stories of young champions of change. Leave no one behind: that is the message at the heart of the 2030 Agenda, also in the fight against transmissible diseases, as well as the driving force behind the work carried out by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in collaboration with its bilateral and multilateral partners. A strong network of young people is crucial in order to reach beyond prevention.

Presence Switzerland (PRS) was instructed to revise the FDFA sponsorship policy as a direct result of the department's new strategy for communication abroad. The policy establishes the criteria governing future private sponsorship partnerships for its head office and representations abroad. What changes have been introduced to the PRS sponsorship manual? The head of PRS, Nicolas Bideau, explains.

Switzerland has signed a restitution agreement with Peru and Luxembourg. It intends to return to the Peruvian authorities illicit assets amounting to 16.3 million dollars that were deposited in Switzerland by Vladimiro Montesinos, the former head of Peru's intelligence service. Corinne Cicéron Bühler, head of the Directorate of International Law (DIL), explains the significance of this agreement.

Switzerland has signed a trilateral restitution agreement with Peru and Luxembourg. Having played a pioneering role in the restitution of illicit assets held by foreign politically exposed persons, the country has continued to refine its approach over the course of three decades. The restitution of USD 16.3 million from Switzerland will serve to fund projects in Peru aimed at strengthening the rule of law and the fight against corruption.

The 37th Ministerial Conference of la Francophonie was held in virtual form, with Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis among the attendees. Switzerland has been a member of la Francophonie since 1996. The organisation has four missions: to promote the French language and cultural and linguistic diversity, to promote peace, democracy and human rights, to support education and research, and to expand cooperation in the interests of sustainable development.

In an interview with the NZZ, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis talks about the upcoming negotiations with the EU, the importance of an institutional framework agreement for the Swiss economy, and the election of Livia Leu as new state secretary of the FDFA.

With the aim of clarifying the language used when talking about Switzerland's European policy, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has produced a first series of 60-second videos explaining in simple terms one of the main elements of Swiss foreign policy.

In a live chat hosted by the newspaper 20 Minuten, Federal Councillor Cassis answered readers' questions on the Limitation Initiative. Adoption of the initiative to limit immigration would damage Switzerland as a business location, he said.

Some 25 years on from the Srebrenica massacre, the question arises of what we have learnt from the past and how such atrocities can be prevented in the future. Examining our history is also important for Swiss domestic and foreign policy going forward. This article by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis was published in the NZZ on Saturday, 11 July 2020.

The International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (the "Code of Conduct") was launched 10 years ago. It obliges private security service providers to respect human rights and international humanitarian law and to prevent their violation. Switzerland was influential in creating the code of conduct and is head of its supervisory board. As a neutral stakeholder it encourages dialogue between private security companies, states and NGOs, as well as a range of Observers including multinational companies.

In the magazine POLITORBIS, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis highlights the importance of anticipating future developments for the prevention of atrocities. This text is the original version of the abridged editorial published in the magazine. The current, and last, issue of POLITORBIS is dedicated to the prevention of the most heinous crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and ethnic cleansing.

The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) was initiated and drafted by the Council of Europe, and signed on 4 November 1950. The 70th anniversary of this common endeavour is highly significant for Switzerland, as the Convention's key elements are also among the priorities of Swiss foreign policy. Historic and enduringly relevant, the ECHR is now making inroads in the digital world.

There are currently more than 150 Swiss experts working to promote peace around the globe. This includes 15 police officers taking part in international missions in countries facing precarious security situations or undergoing reconstruction. At present, they are on mission in Mali, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Somalia.

"Rumantsch: in ferm toc Svizra" (Romansh: an essential part of Switzerland) is the slogan for the FDFA's first international Romansh Language Week. In conjunction with the Canton of Graubünden and Radiotelevisiun Svizra Rumantscha (RTR), the FDFA and its representations abroad invite you to learn more about Romansh language and culture through an online kick-off event devoted to Switzerland's fourth national language.

On the return flight of the official visit to Africa, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis answered questions from the Swiss francophone newspaper Le Temps. In addition to the offical Africa visit, which took the head of the FDFA from Algeria to Mali to Senegal and to the Gambia, Mr Cassis talked about various current topics – from the Covid-19 vaccination to the Europe dossier, the new administration in the USA and the Middle East.

Three women, three stories, three different professional backgrounds connected to science. On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Natália Archinard, Cecilia Neyroud and Daria Robinson talk to us – from Bern, Mexico City and Geneva, respectively – about their personal and professional backgrounds: from innovation to diplomacy and space – their individual stories and their message to young readers.

In an interview with several francophone Swiss newspapers, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis talks about current political issues. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) reaffirms Switzerland's values and in particular the importance of dialogue and cooperation.