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 News Service of the Federal Administration.
11.03.2016
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Press releases
EDA
Für Ausfuhren in die am wenigsten entwickelten Länder werden keine Ausfuhrbeiträge mehr gewährt. Dies hat der Bundesrat an seiner heutigen Sitzung beschlossen. Er hat eine Änderung der Verordnung über die Ausfuhrbeiträge für Erzeugnisse aus Landwirtschaftsprodukten gutgeheissen.
11.03.2016
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Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council pledged today a headquarters contribution of CHF 80 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for the current year. This sum is intended to support the work of what is often the only organisation to have direct access to people in need during crises and conflicts. The ICRC is the most important partner of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in the humanitarian field.
10.03.2016
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Press releases
EDA
During the month of March, Switzerland and other countries throughout the world are celebrating La Fête de la Francophonie to commemorate the signing of the treaty instituting the 'Agence de coopération culturelle et technique (ACCT)' in Niger in 1970, which is considered to be the founding act of la Francophonie. In Switzerland around one hundred events are being held in 12 different cantons. In addition, a group of French-speaking ambassadors accredited in Bern will be created with Switzerland as chair.
10.03.2016
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Press releases
EDA
Bundesrätin Simonetta Sommaruga, Vorsteherin des Eidgenössischen Justiz- und Polizeidepartements (EJPD), hat am Donnerstag in Brüssel am Treffen des Justiz- und Innenministerrats (JI-Rat) der Schengen-Staaten teilgenommen. Die Vorschläge der Türkei zur Zusammenarbeit mit der EU im Migrationsbereich und die Situation in Griechenland standen im Zentrum der Diskussionen zwischen den Ministerinnen und Ministern.
09.03.2016
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Press releases
EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Didier Burkhalter, met with his Maltese counterpart George W. Vella on Wednesday in Valletta. The two foreign ministers mainly discussed the issue of Switzerland's relationship with the European Union (EU) and the political situation in the Mediterranean region. The Federal Councillor then gave a speech at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies on mediation and Switzerland's policy of providing good offices.
09.03.2016
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Press releases
EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Didier Burkhalter, met with his Maltese counterpart George W. Vella on Wednesday in Valletta. The two foreign ministers mainly discussed the issue of Switzerland's relationship with the European Union (EU) and the political situation in the Mediterranean region. The Federal Councillor then gave a speech at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies on mediation and Switzerland's policy of providing good offices.
08.03.2016
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Press releases
EDA
On Tuesday in Abuja Switzerland and Nigeria signed a letter of intent aimed at regulating the return to Nigeria of assets totalling USD 321 million stolen by Nigeria's former dictator Sani Abacha. The signing of this letter of intent, which marks an important step towards the return of assets monitored by the World Bank, was made possible after the Attorney General of the Canton of Geneva confiscated these assets, which had originally been deposited in bank accounts in Luxembourg. The letter of intent was signed by the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Didier Burkhalter, and Nigeria's Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami San.
07.03.2016
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Press releases
EDA
On the first day of his journey to Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Malta and Slovakia, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter visited on Monday the scene of the attacks in Ouagadougou. "It is with much sadness that we are gathered in Ouagadougou this morning, where the attacks of January 15 cost many lives – including two of our compatriots, Jean-Noël Rey and Georgie Lamon" said. Mr Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, who went on to state that this sorrow is coupled with "a firm commitment to not forget the people that we have lost, to remember in particular that they had come to this country to help its people, and to continue to work to help young people and prevent violence."
04.03.2016
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Press releases
EDA
On 4 March 2016, the Federal Council submitted its dispatch to the Federal Assembly on the ratification of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. This international agreement strengthens both the protection of the Antarctic environment and Switzerland as a centre for research and innovation. It also harmonises the demand for tourism with the need to preserve this virtually untouched ecosystem. An environmental approval procedure is designed to ensure that scientific and private expeditions do not have a negative impact on the continent's flora and fauna.
04.03.2016
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Press releases
EDA
Ce vendredi, le Conseil fédéral a adopté, à l’intention du Parlement, plusieurs projets de loi visant à mettre en œuvre les dispositions constitutionnelles relatives à l’immigration. Il s’efforce par ailleurs de parvenir à une solution consensuelle avec l’Union européenne (UE). Toutefois, étant donné qu’aucun accord n’a encore pu être trouvé avec l’UE, il propose, comme il l’avait annoncé, de gérer l’immigration au moyen d’une clause de sauvegarde unilatérale : lorsqu’un certain seuil sera dépassé, le Conseil fédéral devra fixer des nombres maximaux annuels. Afin de mieux exploiter le potentiel des travailleurs en Suisse, le Conseil fédéral souhaite que les personnes qui relèvent de la législation sur l’asile et qui peuvent demeurer dans notre pays puissent trouver du travail plus facilement. En outre, il a arrêté une modification de la loi fédérale sur les étrangers (LEtr) en vue d’empêcher que les étrangers en quête d’un emploi en Suisse aient accès à l’aide sociale. Enfin, le Conseil fédéral a adopté le message concernant l’extension de l’accord sur la libre circulation des personnes (ALCP) à la Croatie. La ratification du protocole sur la Croatie est une condition de la poursuite de la participation de la Suisse au programme-cadre de recherche Horizon 2020.
04.03.2016
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Press releases
EDA
Le Conseil fédéral a adopté, vendredi, un rapport qui présente plusieurs mesures envisageables pour réduire les différences constatées entre les cantons dans la mise en œuvre de l’accord sur la libre circulation des personnes (ALCP). Les recommandations comprennent notamment l’exercice d’une surveillance plus active de la Confédération et un développement du soutien apporté aux cantons pour appliquer l’ALCP.
04.03.2016
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Press releases
EDA
The abolition of the death penalty throughout the world is a priority for Switzerland's diplomatic human rights efforts, which it pursues through various means and aims at various countries. This exhibition aims to raise awareness and make a positive contribution to the debate on the death penalty in one particular country.
Last update 23.04.2025
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