Here you can find the last 12 media releases and other news published by the FDFA, such as statements, announcements and articles, in chronological order.
All media releases can be found on the News Service of the Federal Administration.
25.09.2013
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Press releases
EDA
On 25 September 2013, Switzerland, together with other partners, organised a ministerial event in the margin of the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York to highlight the importance of water security. At the event, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter appealed to the international community to make strong commitments in the fields of water management and water quality as well as access to water and sanitation for all in the context of the debate on the post-2015 objectives on sustainable development.
25.09.2013
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Press releases
EDA
At a side event organised by Switzerland within the framework of the high-level week of UN General Assembly meetings, President of the Swiss Confederation Ueli Maurer called on international stakeholders to strengthen their cooperation and coordination efforts in order to better protect civilians in armed conflicts and ensure access for humanitarian aid to the victims of those conflicts.
24.09.2013
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Press releases
EDA
To make the texts and content of international agreements, UN resolutions and other documents relating to women's human rights more easily accessible, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the Swiss Centre of Expertise in Human Rights (SCHR) have developed a new app for smart phones and tablets.
20.09.2013
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Press releases
EDA
President of the Swiss Confederation Ueli Maurer and Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will represent Switzerland at the high-level week of the 68th United Nations General Assembly in New York, from 23 to 27 September. At the opening of the General Debate, the president of the Confederation will set out the main points of Switzerland’s policy on the United Nations, while Federal Councillor Burkhalter will take part in several conferences dealing with current issues. On 3 and 4 October, Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga will attend the High-Level UN Dialogue on Migration and Development, in New York.
20.09.2013
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Press releases
EDA
In view of Switzerland’s forthcoming chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2014, the Federal Council has nominated Ambassador Gérard Stoudmann as special representative for the Western Balkans. It has also chosen Ambassador Fred Tanner to fill the post of advisor to the OSCE secretary general in Vienna.
19.09.2013
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Press releases
EDA
Today, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), has received the foreign minister of Estonia, Urmas Paet, for talks in Bern. Both ministers described relations between Estonia and Switzerland as very good. In addition to bilateral issues, the talks focused above all on the EU policy and Switzerland’s chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2014.
19.09.2013
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Press releases
EDA
Representatives of some 135 private security companies, governments and human rights defence organisations are meeting in Geneva today to take part in the launch conference of the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers Association (ICoCA). Launched jointly by Switzerland and industry associations in November 2010, this initiative aims to ensure respect for human rights and international humanitarian law by such companies.
16.09.2013
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Press releases
EDA
Twenty-four Myanmar nationals who are currently in Switzerland taking a course on international relations, democracy, and human security met the president of the Council of States, Filippo Lombardi, on 16 September in Bern. They also met the state secretary of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Yves Rossier. Relations between Switzerland and Myanmar and Switzerland's contributions to Myanmar were among the topics they discussed.
16.09.2013
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Press releases
EDA
Switzerland takes note of the UN report that was drawn up with the Spiez laboratory, which established that chemical weapons were used near Damascus on 21 August. The international plan to destroy chemical weapons must now be urgently formalised and implemented. Switzerland is ready to contribute to the implementation of this plan. It will continue to be actively involved and take concrete action towards ending the Syrian conflict and ensuring respect for international law.
16.09.2013
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Press releases
EDA
On 16 September, Switzerland is taking part in the international conference on Somalia in Brussels, with a delegation headed by Martin Dahinden, director-general of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The outcome of the conference is to be a "compact" with Somalia to rebuild the country. Within the framework of its 2013-2016 Horn of Africa strategy, Switzerland is active in the region in a number of areas: diplomacy, humanitarian aid, development cooperation, the promotion of peace and security, and migration.
13.09.2013
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Press releases
EDA
On 13 September 2013, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, received Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze for an official working visit. A visa facilitation agreement was signed in Neuchâtel during the visit. Other topics of discussion included the Swiss chairmanship of the OSCE in 2014, Switzerland's efforts to promote peace in the South Caucasus, and economic cooperation between the two states.
13.09.2013
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Press releases
EDA
During its meeting on Friday 13 September, the Federal Council adopted an agreement with Jordan on humanitarian aid as well as technical and financial cooperation. Jordan has been severely impacted by the crisis in Syria and is currently hosting more than 500,000 of the 2 million refugees from the conflict. Thanks to this agreement, there is now a formal legal basis for Swiss (particularly humanitarian) assistance, which will facilitate cooperation in assisting the most vulnerable populations in the region.
Last update 23.04.2025
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