Press releases

Concerned about violent incident at Line of Contact, CiO calls on Azerbaijan and Armenia to strictly adhere to ceasefire

13.11.2014 — Press releases EDA

Press release

Switzerland expresses its concern over the resurgence of violence in Israel, the West Bank and East Jerusalem

13.11.2014 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is concerned by the escalation in violence between Israelis and Palestinians over the past few weeks. The FDFA considers that the violence and provocations on both sides impede efforts to build trust and hopes for peace in the region.

President Burkhalter calls on politicians and civil society to take a clear stand against anti-Semitism

13.11.2014 — Press releases EDA
At the Conference on Anti-Semitism in Berlin, President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter praised the action that the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has taken over the past ten years to combat anti-Semitism. Burkhalter, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, called for a strong ongoing commitment to fighting hostility against the world's Jews. He believes that young people, in particular, hold great potential in efforts to counter the dangers of anti-Semitism.

Governments need to step up their efforts to address anti-Semitism, say participants at OSCE Civil Society Forum

12.11.2014 — Press releases EDA

Press release

Inauguration of the Swiss embassy in Oman in the presence of FDFA State Secretary Yves Rossier

12.11.2014 — Press releases EDA
On Wednesday 12 November 2014, the state secretary of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Yves Rossier, officially opened the Swiss embassy in Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman, within the framework of an official two-day visit that included the political dialogue that the two countries conduct on a regular basis. The new embassy is housed in the same building as the embassy of the Netherlands.

«Chaque génération peut apprendre des autres, pour mieux comprendre le monde» (de/fr)

11.11.2014 — Article EDA

Bern, 11.11.2014 - Bern, 11.11.2014 - Speech by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr. Didier Burkhalter, at the International Law Day of the Directorate of International Law 2014 - Check against deliviery

International Law Day 2014 – the President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, asks youth to explain the world to their elders

11.11.2014 — Press releases EDA
The Directorate of International Law (DIL) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) held its annual International Law Day on Tuesday 11 November 2014, in Bern. This year’s theme was youth and international law. In his address the President of the Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, spoke of the responsibility of adults towards young people and invited the latter to make themselves heard.

Speaking out for tolerance and dialogue: President Burkhalter to travel to Berlin, Brussels and Ypres

11.11.2014 — Press releases EDA
On 13 November 2014, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, will take part in the Conference on Anti-Semitism of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), where he will address the conference in his capacity as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. On 14 November he will then travel to Belgium where he will meet the King of the Belgians, Philippe, the Belgian prime minister, Charles Michel, and the foreign minister, Didier Reynders, in Brussels. The afternoon will be dedicated to the memory of the victims of the First World War: In Ypres, President Burkhalter will attend a memorial event where he will meet the three Swiss school classes that won first prize in the competition on the subject of the First World War that he launched in March.

Thousand winter tents en route for Iraq

10.11.2014 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland has dispatched a further relief aid to northern Iraq. One thousand tents, as well as blankets and other goods are being transported by lorry to the city of Erbil in northern Iraq and will arrive between 11 and 24 November 2014. The aid materials have a value of CHF 1 million and are intended to help people survive the winter.

Concerned about latest SMM reports of activities undermining Minsk commitments, OSCE Chair calls on all sides to preserve and consolidate ceasefire

08.11.2014 — Press releases EDA

Press release

Prize-winning Swiss school projects on the First World War

07.11.2014 — Press releases EDA

Bern, 07.11.2014 - Three school classes from Liestal, Morges, and Tenero have won prizes in a competition launched in March 2014 by President Burkhalter to mark the start of the First World War one hundred years ago. Pupils from all over Switzerland delved into the First World War and submitted projects. Next week, the winning classes will travel to the Belgian city of Ypres – an important theatre of the First World War – where they will meet with President Didier Burkhalter on 14 November.

Social aid for Swiss citizens resident abroad to be managed by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

05.11.2014 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council has today adopted an ordinance that provides for the transfer of the section for "Social Aid for Swiss Citizens Resident Abroad" of the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) to the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). The integration of the section into the FDFA will be effective as of 1 January 2015 in line with the new law on persons and institutions abroad that will enter into force in 2015. This law stipulates in particular that the FDFA will become a one-stop resource centre for Swiss citizens and institutions abroad.

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.

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

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.