Press releases

First visit of the year by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will include the Netherlands – which currently presides over the Council of the EU – and China

11.01.2016 — Press releases EDA
On his first trip abroad in 2016, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will travel to The Hague on Thursday to meet with Foreign Minister Bert Koenders with whom he will mainly discuss relations between Switzerland and the European Union (EU), presided over by the Netherlands in the first half of 2016. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA will then go directly to Beijing on Friday where he and his counterpart Wang Yi are to discuss relations between Switzerland and China, a key partner for Switzerland outside Europe.

Swiss citizen kidnapped in Mali

08.01.2016 — Press releases EDA
Position statement

FDFA responds to the execution of 48 people in Saudi Arabia

04.01.2016 — Press releases EDA
The FDFA summons the chargé d’affaires of Saudi Arabia and reiterates its opposition as a matter of principle to the death penalty in any part of the world and under any circumstances.

Galleria di base del San Gottardo: vincete posti esclusivi sui treni d’inaugurazione

28.12.2015 — Press releases EDA
Il 1° giugno 2016, in occasione dell’inaugurazione della Galleria di base del San Gottardo, a bordo dei primi due treni che circoleranno in galleria vi saranno dei rappresentanti della popolazione svizzera e dei scolari scelti. Il concorso per aggiudicarsi i posti sui treni d’inaugurazione si apre il 28 dicembre 2015.

UN General Assembly gives green light for renovation of UN headquarters in Geneva

24.12.2015 — Press releases EDA
On 23 December 2015, the United Nations General Assembly approved the “Strategic Heritage Plan”, the project to renovate the Palais des Nations. The UN Headquarters in Geneva will be completely renovated and a new building added by 2023.

Focus on mediation

23.12.2015 — Article EDA

Switzerland is seeking to become more actively involved in mediation. This commitment was reaffirmed by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter at the 2015 annual conference of the FDFA's Human Security Division (HSD). In this, Switzerland can build upon its long-standing tradition as a mediator.

FDFA 2016 annual objectives

22.12.2015 — Article EDA

The new annual objectives for the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs were adopted during the winter session of 2015, setting out foreign policy measures to implement the Federal Council’s objectives.

Visita del capo dell'esercito alle truppe svizzere in Kosovo

22.12.2015 — Press releases EDA
Come da tradizione, il 22 e il 23 dicembre 2015 il capo dell'esercito, comandante di corpo André Blattmann, rende visita alla SWISSCOY in Kosovo.

Switzerland hosts Armenian-Azerbaijani summit in Bern

19.12.2015 — Press releases EDA
Presidents Serzh Sargsyan of Armenia and Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan met in Bern today, 19 December 2015, for talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at the invitation of Switzerland. As representative of the Federal Council, the Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) Didier Burkhalter welcomed the two Presidents and underlined Switzerland’s willingness to continue supporting efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict through its good offices.

Switzerland welcomes UN Security Council resolution on Syria

18.12.2015 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland welcomes the resolution on Syria adopted today by the UN Security Council and hopes that this will smooth the way to sustainable peace in the country. Switzerland is convinced that there can only be a political solution to the crisis in Syria. It is therefore prepared, as before, to provide its good offices and act as host state in the peace process.

Bundesrat setzt Planungskorridor für Höchstspannungsleitung Waldegg-Wollishofen fest

18.12.2015 — Press releases EDA
Der Bundesrat hat heute den Planungskorridor für die rund 7 Kilometer lange Höchstspannungsleitung von Frohalp in Wollishofen zum Unterwerk Waldegg (Stadt Zürich) festgesetzt. Sie soll vollständig als Kabelleitung realisiert werden. Damit kann die Projektierung der neuen Höchstspannungsleitung zwischen Kilchberg und Waldegg (Kanton Zürich) beginnen.

Bundesrat verstärkt Bekämpfung von Missbräuchen auf dem Arbeitsmarkt und Förderung der inländischen Fachkräfte

18.12.2015 — Press releases EDA
Der Bundesrat hat am 18. Dezember 2015 im Zusammenhang mit der Umsetzung von Artikel 121a zur Zuwanderung zusätzliche Massnahmen zur Bekämpfung der Missbräuche auf dem Arbeitsmarkt beschlossen. Unter anderem verabschiedete er die Botschaft zur Revision des Bundesgesetzes gegen die Schwarzarbeit und legte das Vorgehen bezüglich der künftigen Ausgestaltung der Flankierenden Massnahmen fest. Der Bundesrat erwartet von den Sozialpartnern und den Kantonen, dass sie sich bis Februar 2016 über Massnahmen zur Missbrauchsbekämpfung einigen. Im Weiteren entschied sich der Bundesrat für eine weitere Verstärkung der Massnahmen der Fachkräfteinitiative.

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.

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.

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

FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel in Germany for political consultations

01.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Alexandre Fasel, the state secretary of the FDFA, was in Berlin on 1 July 2025 to hold political consultations with his German counterpart, the state secretary of the Federal Foreign Office, Géza Andreas von Geyr. Talks focused on current geopolitical developments, bilateral issues and the opening of the consultation procedure in Switzerland on the agreements in the new Swiss-EU package. Mr Fasel also met with the state secretary of Germany's Federal Chancellery, Jörg Semmler.

Switzerland attends 4th International Conference on Financing for Development

30.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland will be participating in the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, Spain, from 30 June to 3 July 2025. Organised under the auspices of the United Nations, this global event aims to address financing challenges in order to help achieve the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals. The conference will cover a wide range of issues relating to development policy, environmental, economic and social sustainability, and macroeconomics. The Swiss delegation is being led by Patricia Danzi, director general of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Karin Keller-Sutter to meet Emmanuel Macron in Paris

27.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Karin Keller-Sutter, is to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Tuesday, 1 July. The geopolitical situation and security issues will be at the centre of their discussions. Also on the agenda are bilateral relations between Switzerland and France, European policy and competitiveness.

Security and defence partnership: Federal Council to seek exploratory talks with the EU

25.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 25 June 2025, the Federal Council decided to enter into exploratory talks with the EU with a view to concluding a security and defence partnership. These partnerships provide the EU with a framework for enhancing cooperation with third countries in this field. A security and defence partnership takes the form of non-legally-binding declaration of intent and can be designed individually. A partnership of this kind is a prerequisite for any joint procurements in the defence sector. It is compatible with neutrality and helps to strengthen Switzerland's defence capabilities.

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.