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Misure supplementari per il trasferimento del traffico merci transalpino

07.12.2015 — Press releases EDA
Venerdì scorso il Consiglio federale ha approvato il rapporto sul trasferimento del traffico del 2015, decidendo di adottare misure supplementari per favorire l’ulteriore trasferimento del traffico merci transalpino dalla strada alla rotaia: all’inizio del 2017 sarà aumentata la tassa sul traffico pesante commisurata alle prestazioni (TTPCP) e, per un periodo limitato, saranno scontati i prezzi delle tracce orarie a carico delle ferrovie per l’utilizzazione delle tratte di transito. Queste misure permetteranno di portare avanti in modo deciso il trasferimento del traffico. L’evoluzione di quest’ultimo è stata positiva nel periodo di riferimento: la quota di mercato della ferrovia è aumentata dal 66,1 per cento nel secondo semestre 2013 al 68,6 per cento nel primo semestre 2015, il migliore risultato dal 2001. È stato così possibile ridurre il numero dei transiti di veicoli pesanti a circa un milione l’anno.

Nuovi provvedimenti contro il rumore ferroviario: decisi i termini di attuazione

04.12.2015 — Press releases EDA
Dal 2020 in Svizzera non potranno più circolare carri merci rumorosi. Con la revisione dell'ordinanza concernente il risanamento fonico delle ferrovie il Consiglio federale disciplina i dettagli di tale divieto, stabilendo tra l'altro un valore limite di emissione vincolante. Il nuovo diritto regolamenta altresì le disposizioni d'esecuzione relative ai provvedimenti sulla strada ferrata come pure la promozione degli investimenti e la ricerca nel settore pubblico. La revisione dell'ordinanza entra in vigore il 1° gennaio 2016.

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference in Geneva: for better compliance with international humanitarian law

04.12.2015 — Press releases EDA
Migration and preventing and responding to violence are two of the main themes of the 32nd International Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference. Today, the Federal Council decided on Switzerland's participation in the conference and its mandate. Switzerland will work actively to ensure better compliance with international humanitarian law. The President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, will head the Swiss delegation to the conference, which will take place from 8 to 10 December in Geneva.

Controlling immigration: Federal Council decides on safeguard clause

04.12.2015 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council today discussed how immigration can be managed so as to comply with constitutional requirements. It made a number of preliminary decisions, taking account of the results of consultations on the draft of new legislation on foreign nationals: the Federal Council is looking to apply a safeguard clause in order to control the immigration of persons covered by the Agreement on the free movement of persons with the European Union (EU). To do so, it will seek a mutually acceptable solution with the EU. In the event that it is unable to reach agreement with the EU in time, the Federal Council has, in a parallel move, instructed the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) to draft a dispatch on a unilateral safeguard clause. This dispatch should be ready by the beginning of March 2016. The Federal Council will consider measures to enhance the potential of the domestic workforce and tackle labour market abuses at its meeting on 18 December.

OSCE Ministerial Council: Federal Councillor Burkhalter calls for cooperation on rebuilding European security and countering extremism

03.12.2015 — Press releases EDA
European security and the Ukraine crisis were the main focuses of the meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Belgrade. Other topics included new challenges such as violent extremism and the issue of migration. Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter called on the OSCE participating states to join forces to ensure a united response to these challenges.

Switzerland to strengthen its partnership with Austria at the consular level

03.12.2015 — Press releases EDA
Didier Burkhalter, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), met on Thursday with Sebastian Kurz, Austria's Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the margins of the 22nd OSCE Ministerial Council meeting held in Belgrade on 3 and 4 December. They signed a new consular agreement between Switzerland and Austria that will allow the two countries to step up their cooperation at various levels. In addition, Mr Burkhalter and Mr Kurz discussed a number of bilateral and international issues, including security in Europe and the Middle East, the migration crisis and relations between Switzerland and the European Union (EU).

Security, extremism, and building trust: Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter attends 2015 OSCE Ministerial Council in Belgrade

01.12.2015 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, will represent Switzerland at this year's Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Council in Belgrade on Thursday 3 December 2015. The agenda for the meeting of the foreign ministers of OSCE participating states includes security in Europe and current challenges such as the refugee crisis and the threat from terrorism. The Ministerial Council is the central decision-making and governing body of the OSCE. It is hosted by the country holding the Chairmanship of the OSCE, which this year is Serbia.

Didier Burkhalter emphasises the importance of combating anti-Semitism

01.12.2015 — Press releases EDA
A conference on the situation of the Jewish minority in Switzerland was organised in Bern on 1 December 2015 by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA (Directorate of International Law DIL) and the Federal Department of Home Affairs (Service for Combating Racism). Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the FDFA, opened the event with a speech in which he drew attention to the need for the authorities and civil society to join forces and enhance their efforts to combat anti-Semitism.

Visita del capo del DDPS a Vaduz

27.11.2015 — Press releases EDA
In data odierna il consigliere federale Ueli Maurer si recherà per una breve visita a Vaduz dove incontrerà il suo omologo e vicecapo del governo del Liechtenstein Thomas Zwiefelhofer nel quadro di un colloquio bilaterale. Sono inoltre previste visite di cortesia al capo del governo Adrian Hasler e a sua Altezza il Principe ereditario Alois al castello di Vaduz.

Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter stresses the importance of accountability as a key aspect of democracy

26.11.2015 — Press releases EDA
In his speech at today's two-day Annual Democracy Forum of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in Bern, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter underlined the view that democracy can only function if state authorities are held accountable. This year Switzerland is chairing the organisation, which comprises 28 member states and has been promoting democracy worldwide for 20 years.

Official visit by FDFA State Secretary Yves Rossier to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iran

26.11.2015 — Press releases EDA
The State Secretary of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Yves Rossier, returned on Thursday from a three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iran. He had diplomatic talks in Riyadh on 23 November, in Kuwait on 24 November and in Tehran on 25 November.

Official working visit of Mongolian Foreign Minister Lundeg Purevsuren to Bern

26.11.2015 — Press releases EDA
On Thursday 26 November 2015, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, received Mongolian Foreign Minister Lundeg Purevsuren during Mr Purevsuren's official working visit to Bern. The talks focused on various topical issues relating to bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

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UN conference on the Middle East: Switzerland calls emphatically for diplomatic steps towards a two-state solution

30.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
At the UN conference on the two-state solution which took place from 28 to 30 July 2025 in New York, Switzerland called for respect for international humanitarian law by all parties, including the unhindered provision of humanitarian aid to the people of the Gaza Strip and the release of all hostages, an immediate and lasting ceasefire and serious diplomatic efforts to implement the two-state solution. Around 120 states attended the conference.

Switzerland to take part in high-level conference on Middle East and two-state solution

25.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
France and Saudi Arabia will co-chair the high-level international conference to promote a lasting peace in the Middle East and the implementation of the two-state solution. The conference will be held from 28 to 30 July 2025 in New York, under the auspices of the United Nations. Switzerland will be taking part alongside numerous international partners.

UN Sustainable Development Goals: Switzerland calls on all stakeholders to step up cooperation

18.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
This year's High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is taking place from 14 to 23 July 2025 at the UN headquarters in New York. The Swiss delegation is being led by Markus Reubi, the Federal Council Delegate for the 2030 Agenda at the FDFA and will focus on economic growth and decent work.

State Secretary for Security Policy to travel to Chisinau for security policy dialogue with Moldova

17.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Markus Mäder, State Secretary for Security Policy, will hold talks on current security policy developments and bilateral cooperation with his counterparts in Chisinau (Moldova) from 17 to 18 July.

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

Other news (151)

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.

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