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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.

Federal Council adopts dispatch on automatic exchange of information in tax matters between Switzerland and EU

25.11.2015 — Press releases EDA
Today, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the agreement regarding the automatic exchange of information (AEOI) in tax matters with the EU and submitted it to Parliament for approval. The agreement was the subject of a consultation procedure from 27 May 2015 to 17 September 2015. Most of the participants welcomed the proposal.

The fight against human trafficking in Europe and Asia: Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter calls for closer cooperation and concrete measures

24.11.2015 — Press releases EDA
At the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) Seminar on Human Rights in Montreux on the theme of Human Rights and Human Trafficking, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter declared human trafficking to be a serious violation of human rights. A concerted effort could help stem international human trafficking, said the Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA. The fight against human trafficking is the focus of the 15th ASEM Seminar on Human Rights. Switzerland is hosting this year's seminar and will thereafter become a partner of this platform for the promotion of human rights.

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi to pay State Visit to Switzerland on 25 and 26 November (last modification, the 20.11.2015)

20.11.2015 — Press releases EDA
Relations between Switzerland and Tunisia, which have been good for decades, have become even closer since the Tunisian Revolution in 2011. This will be underlined by President Beji Caid Essebsi’s state visit, which will take place in Bern on 25 and 26 November. Talks will centre on Tunisia’s transition towards democracy, the Swiss cooperation programme, the dialogue on migration, security and the fight against terrorism, as well as bilateral economic relations.

Water as an instrument of peace: Switzerland launches a global panel

16.11.2015 — Press releases EDA
On 16 November 2015 Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter opened the ministerial ceremony in Geneva to launch a global panel on water and peace. This independent panel is composed of senior figures from 14 countries from the fields of politics, academia, the private sector and civil society. It will formulate proposals on the instruments and architecture to be put in place to prevent and reduce water-related conflicts at global and regional levels.

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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.

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.

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.

Switzerland to host a global summit on artificial intelligence in 2027

25.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 25 June 2025, the Federal Council expressed its intention to host an artificial intelligence (AI) summit in Geneva in 2027.

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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