Press releases

Official visit to Switzerland of the foreign minister of Burkina Faso

06.03.2014 — Press releases EDA
On Wednesday evening 5 March 2014, the FDFA state secretary, Yves Rossier, received Mr Djibril Bassolé, minister of foreign affairs and regional cooperation of Burkina Faso, who is in Switzerland on an official working visit. Switzerland’s long-standing commitment to Burkina Faso, in particular in the field of development and economic cooperation, was one of the topics of the talks. Mali was also an item on the agenda.

Escaping poverty: Education for All Global Monitoring Report

06.03.2014 — Press releases EDA
Inadequate school education costs poor countries dearly. Billions of dollars invested in education are wasted every year because all too many children who go to school fail to learn basic literacy and numeracy skills. Investing in good teacher training programmes must be a priority to improve this situation. These are the findings of the latest UNESCO Education for All Global Monitoring Report, which was drawn up with Swiss support. The report was launched in Switzerland on 6 March 2014 at the Fribourg University of Education in the presence of SDC Director-General Martin Dahinden and the Fribourg Director of Education, Jean-Pierre Siggen.

OSCE Chairperson participates in Paris meeting on crisis in Ukraine to discuss possibility of an international contact group

05.03.2014 — Press releases EDA

Press release

Swiss delegation at the UN session on the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls

05.03.2014 — Press releases EDA
The 58th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) begins on 10 March 2014 in New York. This year's session will focus on the evaluation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls, which were set in 2000. For the first time, Switzerland is participating as a voting member of the commission for a period of four years and is representing the Western European and Others Regional Group (WEOG) for two years in the CSW office. In addition, Switzerland has been selected for the high-profile task of leading the negotiations on the final document of this year's session.

Crisis in Ukraine: President Burkhalter and German Foreign Minister Steinmeier discuss conflict resolution options

04.03.2014 — Press releases EDA
Today in Bern, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, received German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier for a working visit. Discussions focused on the situation in Ukraine, with both men underscoring the key role of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in the search for options to contain the crisis.

OSCE Swiss Chairmanship to host special meeting on Ukraine crisis today, Monday 3 March

03.03.2014 — Press releases EDA

Press release

Chairman in Office urges participating States to refrain from unilateral actions and to engage in a meaningful dialogue

01.03.2014 — Press releases EDA

Press release

Transdniestrian settlement talks conclude in Vienna with progress on freedom of movement

28.02.2014 — Press releases EDA

Press release

Federal Council blocks all assets Viktor Yanukovych and his entourage might have in Switzerland

28.02.2014 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council has decided to block all assets Viktor Yanukovych and his entourage might have in Switzerland. The corresponding ordinance enters into force today, Friday 28 February. In taking this measure, the Federal Council wishes to avoid any risk of misappropriation of Ukrainian state assets.

House of Switzerland in Sochi enjoys popular success

27.02.2014 — Press releases EDA
A few hours before the closing of the Sochi Winter Olympics, Presence Switzerland makes a positive assessment of its presence in Russia with the House of Switzerland. A very high number of visitors was recorded, driven by the successes of the Swiss team. "It was a fantastic opportunity to present Switzerland's strengths to so many people, in a house open to all", said Nicolas Bideau, head of Presence Switzerland.

Federal Council approves a contribution of CHF 33.7 million to UNRWA

26.02.2014 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 26 February 2014, the Federal Council approved a contribution of CHF 33.7 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This contribution covers the period 2014–2015. Through its humanitarian and development aid for millions of refugees, UNRWA plays a key stabilising role in the region.

OSCE Chairperson and President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter appoints Ambassador Tim Guldimann as personal envoy to Ukraine

24.02.2014 — Press releases EDA
In his capacity as Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, has appointed Ambassador Tim Guldimann as his personal envoy to Ukraine. Mr Guldimann, the head of the Swiss embassy in Berlin, will hold initial discussions as early as tonight in Kiev.

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.

Private security services provided abroad in 2024: ninth FDFA report on PSSA implementation

14.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 14 May 2025, the Federal Council took note of the ninth annual report on the implementation of the Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad (PSSA). In 2024, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) received 111 declarations from companies. No activities were prohibited.

Swiss–EU package: all Federal Assembly members given access to Swiss–EU agreement texts

14.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 14 May 2025, the Federal Council decided to give members of the Federal Assembly access, upon request, to the texts of the agreements negotiated with the EU. In making this decision, it is responding to the exceptionally high level of interest shown by Parliament in the Swiss–EU dossier. The Federal Council intends to make a decision before the summer recess on launching the consultation procedure. In this context, the texts of the agreements, applicable implementing legislation, and accompanying national measures will be published in three official languages, as previously planned.

Committee of Ministers: FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel underlines Switzerland's support for Council of Europe values

14.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel was in Luxembourg on 13 and 14 May, representing Switzerland at the 134th session of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers. The discussions, which were chaired by Luxembourg, focused on the Council of Europe's response to the war against Ukraine and democratic backsliding.

Second edition of Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building held in Geneva

13.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland hosted the second edition of the Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building (GC3B) between 13 and 14 May. The conference focused on the secure use of new digital technologies in development cooperation work, especially in the Global South. International Geneva served as a platform to bring together stakeholders from the cybersecurity and digital development sectors. The GC3B was also a key event of the inaugural Geneva Cyber Week.

President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, to pay state visit to Switzerland

12.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
In recognition of the close and multifaceted relations between Switzerland and Kosovo, the Federal Council has invited Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu and her husband Prindon Sadriu to pay a state visit to Switzerland. President Karin Keller-Sutter will lead the Federal Council in corpore in welcoming President Osmani with military honours on Bundesplatz on Wednesday, 21 May. This will be followed by official speeches and political discussions. The programme the following day will focus on business and innovation.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives Foreign Minister Sabine Monauni from Liechtenstein

12.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
Mr Cassis received Liechtenstein's new deputy prime minister and minister for foreign affairs, environment and culture, Sabine Monauni, for an official inaugural visit in Bern on Monday. Talks focused on the two countries' traditionally close bilateral relations, European policy, regional cooperation under the EU Strategy for the Alpine region (EUSALP), international issues and the current geopolitical context. The two ministers also signed a revised agreement on environmental levies.

Palazzo Trevisan to remain outpost of Swiss excellence in Venice

09.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal councillors Ignazio Cassis and Elisabeth Baume-Schneider announced in Venice today the future set-up for the Palazzo Trevisan. As of 1 January 2026, the main floor of the palace will be turned into a platform managed by the FDFA which will not only build on the palace's important role in promoting Swiss culture but will also incorporate new activities in the fields of innovation, research and sustainability. This development is the result of collaboration between the FDFA and the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA), with the dual aim of strengthening the Palazzo Trevisan as a vector of Swiss excellence in Venice, and of further enriching the dense network of relations between Switzerland and Italy.

International trade: Karin Keller-Sutter and Guy Parmelin hold meetings with delegations from the United States and China

09.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
On Friday, 9 May 2025 in Geneva, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Karin Keller-Sutter, and the Vice President of the Federal Council, Guy Parmelin, met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Prior to that, they met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.

International cooperation: targeted Swiss support for UN agencies and International Geneva

08.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has decided the FDFA will grant CHF 39 million to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), UN Women, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for 2025. By renewing these contributions, the FDFA is also sending out a strong signal in support of International Geneva.

Switzerland's contribution to democracy promotion – new FDFA guidelines

07.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 7 May 2025 the FDFA published the Guidelines on Democracy, which set out objectives for democracy promotion and identify foreign policy instruments for strengthening democratic processes and institutions.

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.