Press releases

Switzerland elected to the UN Human Rights Council from 2016

28.10.2015 — Press releases EDA
The UN General Assembly in New York elected Switzerland to the UN Human Rights Council today. Switzerland’s third three-year term on the UN’s most important human rights body will begin at the start of 2016.

President Sommaruga meets with President and Prime Minister in Ethiopia

26.10.2015 — Press releases EDA
President Simonetta Sommaruga held official talks on Monday with Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome and Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn in Addis Ababa. Talks were centred on intensification of economic relations as well as on humanitarian and migration policy challenges in Ethiopia and neighbouring countries. Sommaruga stated that Switzerland would be increasing its local aid and efforts in the region.

Ukraine: Switzerland sends another aid convoy to conflict region

26.10.2015 — Press releases EDA
Two further Swiss Humanitarian Aid (HA) convoys have brought goods to supply suffering population on both sides of the contact line in eastern Ukraine. The aid consists mainly of chemicals and apparatus for the production of chlorine, essential for providing clean drinking water. In addition, two hospitals in Donetsk have been supplied with medicines. A total of 505 tonnes of aid worth around CHF 1 million has been delivered.

President Sommaruga to pay official working visit to Ethiopia

23.10.2015 — Press releases EDA
Ethiopia and Switzerland want to further intensify and strengthen their good bilateral relations. It is with this aim that a Swiss delegation led by President Simonetta Sommaruga will be traveling to Addis Ababa this weekend.

Road accident in France – Switzerland expresses its condolences

23.10.2015 — Press releases EDA
The FDFA has learned with great sadness about the disastrous road accident in Puisseguin (France).

Schools and water: Swiss emergency aid is implemented in Jordan

19.10.2015 — Press releases EDA
On the first day of his two-day stay in Jordan, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter visited on Monday a school in a deprived suburb of Amman and the Azraq refugee camp, where Switzerland has been supporting a project aimed at ensuring the efficient supply of water to the some 24,000 Syrian refugees there. Mr Burkhalter, who is head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), thanked Jordan for its efforts in taking in more than 600,000 refugees fleeing Syria to date.

Syria crisis: Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter to visit Jordan

16.10.2015 — Press releases EDA

Bern, 16.10.2015 - The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, will travel on 19 October 2015 for a two-day visit to Jordan, where he will take part in the OSCE Mediterranean Conference and meet with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Judeh, for bilateral talks. Mr Burkhalter will also visit a school in Amman which is supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) as well as the Azraq refugee camp, where the SDC is active in the water sector.

Humanitarian action: Didier Burkhalter calls for a greater commitment from the international community

15.10.2015 — Press releases EDA

Bern, 15.10.2015 - Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, has emphasised that the security and dignity of persons affected by humanitarian crises and disasters are priorities of Swiss foreign policy. He was speaking in front of some 900 representatives of the international community at a meeting in Geneva to prepare for the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in May 2016. The Global Consultation on humanitarian action, which Switzerland is co-chairing, is being held in the lakeside city from 14 to 16 October. This conference represents a decisive stage in discussions on the future of humanitarian aid.

Humanitarian action: Didier Burkhalter calls for a greater commitment from the international community

15.10.2015 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, has emphasised that the security and dignity of persons affected by humanitarian crises and disasters are priorities of Swiss foreign policy. He was speaking in front of some 900 representatives of the international community at a meeting in Geneva to prepare for the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in May 2016. The Global Consultation on humanitarian action, which Switzerland is co-chairing, is being held in the lakeside city from 14 to 16 October. This conference represents a decisive stage in discussions on the future of humanitarian aid.

Bundesrat verabschiedet Botschaft zum Doppelbesteuerungsabkommen mit Oman

14.10.2015 — Press releases EDA
Der Bundesrat hat heute die Botschaft zum neuen Doppelbesteuerungsabkommen mit Oman verabschiedet und den Eidgenössischen Räten zur Genehmigung unterbreitet. Das Abkommen fördert die bilateralen Wirtschaftsbeziehungen und enthält Bestimmungen über den Informationsaustausch auf Anfrage gemäss OECD-Standard.

Entwicklungsprojekte für Ressourceneffizienz

13.10.2015 — Press releases EDA
Die interdepartementale REPIC-Plattform fördert während einer Pilotphase neu auch internationale Projekte im Bereich der Ressourceneffizienz. Der Schwerpunkt liegt auf der Abfallbehandlung und -verwertung sowie der effizienten Nutzung von Rohstoffen in der industriellen Produktion.

Working visit to Bern by Tunisian Foreign Minister Taieb Baccouche

13.10.2015 — Press releases EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, received the Tunisian Foreign Minister, Taieb Baccouche, on a courtesy visit on Tuesday, 13 October 2015. They discussed the state visit to Switzerland by the President of Tunisia, which is scheduled for November of this year. Mr Baccouche also met with Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter for a working visit in Bern.

Natural hazards: Ignazio Cassis officially opens Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva

03.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, has officially opened the 8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025) in Geneva. This international conference, organised under the aegis of the United Nations, is the leading forum for discussing global progress in disaster reduction and sharing new knowledge in this area. Natural hazards are a highly topical issue that affects countries around the world to varying degrees, significantly impacting affected populations and the economy.

Ignazio Cassis presents Swiss policy of good offices in Hong Kong

30.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, was in Hong Kong today at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, to attend the launch of the International Organization for Mediation. The event brought together some 50 states, including several represented at ministerial level. Mr Cassis gave a speech outlining Switzerland's approach to mediation.

Situation in Gaza: Federal Council calls for unrestricted humanitarian access and an immediate ceasefire

30.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 28 May 2025, the Federal Council once again discussed the war in the Gaza Strip between Israel and the terrorist organisation Hamas and made a full assessment of the situation. It is deeply dismayed at the unbearable human suffering and calls for unrestricted humanitarian access and an immediate ceasefire. A week ago, the Federal Council allocated CHF 10 million to humanitarian actors in the occupied Palestinian territory. At the same time, Switzerland continues to work internationally for a political solution to the conflict.

Ignazio Cassis attending new mediation forum in Hong Kong on 30 May 2025

27.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will be in Hong Kong on 30 May at the invitation of Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi. Mr Cassis, head of the FDFA, is to attend a mediation forum which will bring together some 60 countries. The event coincides with China's launch of the International Organization for Mediation.

Lugano proposed as venue for meeting of OSCE Ministerial Council

23.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis was welcomed by a plenary session of the Cantonal Council of Ticino today as part of their regular political dialogue. The council's chosen venue, the Mezzana Cantonal Agricultural Organisation, is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year. Discussions focused on topics of mutual interest, including the promotion of Italian language and culture, cross-border relations, and more international matters such as relations with the EU and current geopolitical challenges. Mr Cassis also informed the Cantonal Council of the FDFA's intention to hold the meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Lugano.

Federal Council allocates CHF 20 million to occupied Palestinian territory and to UNRWA in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria

21.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 21 May 2025, the Federal Council decided to grant CHF 9 million to four humanitarian organisations to support Palestinians affected by the conflict in the occupied Palestinian territory. A further CHF 10 million will be allocated to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) for its programme in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. CHF 1 million will also be earmarked to implement the Colonna report's recommendations for reinforcing UNRWA's impartiality.

Federal Council sets priorities for Switzerland's OSCE chairpersonship in 2026

21.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 21 May 2025, the Federal Council set the thematic priorities for Switzerland's OSCE chairpersonship in 2026. These will be definitively adopted following consultation with the foreign affairs committees of the National Council and the Council of States. The Federal Council also approved the budget for organising the meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council, which will be held in Switzerland in December 2026.

Swiss–EU package: chief negotiators initial agreements

21.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
The chief negotiators of Switzerland and the EU, Patric Franzen and Richard Szostak, and the Swiss co-negotiators from the relevant federal offices initialled the agreements of the Switzerland–EU package in Bern on 21 May 2025. The initialling formally concluded the negotiation process with the EU. The Federal Council will decide before the summer whether to approve the agreements and open the consultation process, and publish the texts.

Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu on a state visit to Switzerland

21.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 21 May, the entire Federal Council welcomed Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu and her husband Prindon Sadriu with military honours in front of the Federal Palace for a state visit. The delegations then held talks on opportunities and prospects for the close and wide-ranging bilateral relationship. They also exchanged views on goals for European stability and prosperity, with particular focus on the situation in the Western Balkans.

50 years of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and San Marino: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis welcomes his counterpart, State Secretary Luca Beccari

19.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
On Monday 19 May 2025, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received Luca Beccari, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Political Affairs, International Economic Cooperation and Digital Transition of the Republic of San Marino, who was on an official working visit, at Münchenwiler Castle in the canton of Bern. The highlight of the visit was the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and San Marino. An agreement on the exchange of young professionals was also signed.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives Costa Rican foreign minister André in Bern to discuss geopolitics, trade and democracy

16.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 16 May 2025 Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received the foreign minister of Costa Rica, Arnoldo André Tinoco, for bilateral talks in Bern. The meeting focused on current geopolitical and trade policy challenges as well as bilateral issues. The visit follows Mr Cassis' trip to Costa Rica in July 2024, the first by a federal councillor. Switzerland and Costa Rica are celebrating 160 years of bilateral relations in 2025.

President Keller-Sutter attends sixth European Political Community Summit in Tirana

16.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 16 May, in the Albanian capital Tirana, President Karin Keller-Sutter attended the sixth summit of the European Political Community (EPC). With Denmark set to hold the EU Council Presidency in the second half of the year, she met with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The summit focused on Europe’s competitiveness, democratic resilience and security.

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.