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President Merz to receive Kyrgyz Prime Minister Chudinov

29.06.2009 — Press releases EDA
On 30 June President Merz will receive the Kyrgyz Prime Minister Igor Chudinov for a courtesy call in Bern. In the meeting, the cooperation between the two countries in the Bretton Woods Institutions will be discussed, along with bilateral relations. Switzerland and Kyrgyzstan belong to the same constituency in the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In addition, current topics such as the financial crisis and prospects for the global economy will also be on the agenda.

Switzerland takes part in the Holocaust Era Assets Conference in Prague

26.06.2009 — Press releases EDA
An international conference on assets stolen during the Shoah will bring together 49 government delegations in Prague from today until 30 June. A Swiss delegation will participate in this conference.

Arrest of a human rights activist in China

25.06.2009 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland is concerned about the formal arrest on 24 June 2009 of the human rights activist Liu Xiaobo, who has been in detention since December 2008. He is one of the signatories of the Charter 2008, which calls on China to continue the process of political reform.

Official working visit by the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

24.06.2009 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, has received today Sergei Lavrov, the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, in Bern for an official working visit. Their talks centred on bilateral questions and current international issues.

Agreement on goods controls and customs security between Switzerland and the EU: opening of consultation procedure

24.06.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council today decided to open consultation proceedings on the agreement between the EU and the Swiss Confederation on the waiving of checks and formalities in goods transport and on customs security measures. The agreement is designed to prevent new barriers to trade with the EU and replaces and supplements the existing agreement on goods controls of 1990. It will apply provisionally from 1 July 2009. The Agreement will be signed tomorrow, on June 25, in Brussels.

Human trafficking: exchange of experience between experts from Hungary and Switzerland

24.06.2009 — Press releases EDA
Human trafficking does not stop at national borders, which means that international cooperation is essential to efficiently combat and to prevent human trafficking and to protect victims. The FDFA, working in close cooperation with the International Organization for Migration IOM in Berne, holds twice-yearly round tables for foreign experts. These talks enable participants to cultivate contacts, to share experiences and to strengthen cooperation. The three-year series of round tables on human trafficking opened yesterday with talks between Swiss experts and a delegation from Hungary.

The Federal Council concludes a Host Country Agreement with the GAVI Alliance (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization)

23.06.2009 — Press releases EDA
On 23 June 2009, Ambassador Paul Seger, Director of the Directorate of Public International Law, signed on behalf of the Federal Council, a Host country Agreement with the GAVI Alliance (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization). On the part of the GAVI Alliance, the Agreement was signed by Mr. Julian Lob-Levyt, the GAVI Alliance’s Executive Secretary.

Official working visit to Budapest by Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey

16.06.2009 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), travelled to Budapest today to meet her new Hungarian counterpart, Péter Balázs, for an official working visit. The focus of their talks was on bilateral relations and co-operation between the two countries in international organisations, European co-operation and current international issues. A declaration of intent was also signed during this visit.

Ambassador Peter Maurer elected as president the Budget Committee of the UN General Assembly

10.06.2009 — Press releases EDA
On 10 June 2009, Ambassador Peter Maurer, head of the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations in New York, was elected as president of the 5th. Committee of the 64th UN General Assembly. This is the first time that Switzerland has presided over one of the main committees of the United Nations General Assembly.

Enlargement contribution to Bulgaria and Romania: Federal Council sends dispatch to parliament

05.06.2009 — Press releases EDA
On 5 June 2009 the Federal Council sent the Dispatch on the Credit Facility for the Enlargement Contribution in favour of Bulgaria and Romania to parliament. Switzerland’s contribution to reducing economic and social disparities totals CHF 257m over a five-year period.

Switzerland to take part in world exhibition 2012 in South Korea

05.06.2009 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council has decided that Switzerland will take part in the category B world exhibition in Yeosu, South Korea, in 2012. Switzerland has accepted the invitation that it officially received from South Korea in a diplomatic note dated 3 February 2009.

Switzerland welcomes the adoption of a programme of work at the Geneva Disarmament Conference (last modification, the 04.06.2009)

04.06.2009 — Press releases EDA
The 65 members of the Geneva Disarmament Conference (CD) today adopted a programme of work by consensus. Switzerland welcomes this development, which is important for Geneva's role as a venue for international disarmament negotiations.

Media (3508)

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

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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