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.
17.02.2020
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Press releases
EDA
At an international donor conference in Brussels on 17 February, Switzerland pledged a contribution of some CHF 10.2 million to help Albania address the significant damage caused by the earthquake of 26 November 2019. This was the most violent earthquake the country had experienced in the last 40 years. The conference was organised at the initiative of the European Commission.
17.02.2020
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Press releases
EDA
At the end of February, Ghana’s head of state, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, will pay a state visit to Switzerland. The last time Switzerland received a head of state from a Sub-Saharan country was sixty years ago. In issuing the invitation, the Federal Council acknowledges the long-standing excellent relations between Switzerland and Ghana. The state visit is also a sign of the increasing contact with countries on the African continent and the bright outlook for political and economic cooperation.
13.02.2020
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Press releases
EDA
On 13 February 2020, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, held bilateral talks with President Aljaksandr Lukashenka and Foreign Minister Uladzimir Makej. This first official visit of a federal councillor to Belarus focused on stepping up bilateral relations, strengthening human rights, and the situation in the region, in particular the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The new Swiss embassy in Minsk, which was officially opened by Mr Cassis, is testament to the deepening of cooperation between the two countries.
12.02.2020
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Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council seeks to achieve greater harmonisation between the Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad (PSSA), Goods Control Act (GCA) and War Material Act (WMA). It has issued instructions to this effect to the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) and Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) at its meeting on 12 February 2020. The relevant proposals are based on a report produced by an interdepartmental working group.
10.02.2020
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Press releases
EDA
On 13 February 2020, a Swiss federal councillor will pay an official working visit to Belarus for the first time: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will travel to Minsk to attend the opening of the Swiss embassy. During his visit to Minsk he will also hold bilateral talks with President Alexander Lukashenko and Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei.
04.02.2020
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Press releases
EDA
At this year's annual press conference, SDC Director General Manuel Sager presented the latest results from the current 2017–20 dispatch. Impact assessments in the field and independent evaluations confirm that the SDC is on track to meet the goals of the dispatch and that its programmes are producing the desired outcomes. The presentation also focused on the importance of good governance for sustainable development. The SDC works to ensure that democratic processes in its partner countries strengthen trust between citizens and state institutions, and lead to a satisfactory level of public services.
03.02.2020
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Press releases
EDA
The SDC is taking action in response to an appeal from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
31.01.2020
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Press releases
EDA
The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union at midnight on 31 January 2020 will not change the relationship between Switzerland and the UK in the near future: the bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU will continue to apply to the UK until the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020 (which may be extended). Switzerland can use the transition period to continue to work out together with the UK their future relationship as part of the Swiss “Mind the Gap” strategy.
30.01.2020
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Press releases
EDA
Switzerland's image abroad in 2019 was multifaceted. Foreign media coverage of Switzerland focused mainly on the women's strike, Switzerland's efforts to address climate change and the electoral gains made by the Green parties in the federal elections. Facebook's plan to base its Libra cryptocurrency in Geneva also drew considerable attention. Switzerland enjoys an excellent reputation both in the media and among the general public abroad. Switzerland was once again near the top of the international league, at rank 8, in the Nations Brand Index (NBI), which surveys the global image of 50 countries.
30.01.2020
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 29 January, the Federal Council approved Switzerland's foreign policy strategy for the next four years. The thematic focus areas for 2020–23 are peace and security, prosperity, sustainability and digitalisation. The strategy also includes clear regional objectives worldwide, with a special focus on the EU, and new objectives for the external network and foreign policy communication. For the first time, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) prepared the foreign policy strategy as part of a broad interdepartmental process. The Federal Council thus intends to increase the coherence, effectiveness and credibility of Swiss foreign policy.
29.01.2020
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Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council's report on international cooperation with NGOs in partner countries, adopted at its meeting of 29 January 2020, has concluded that conditions for international cooperation with NGOs are good. According to the report, which the Federal Council produced in response to two parliamentary procedural requests, the FDFA's management and control instruments enable a careful selection of NGOs, ensure effective cooperation and allow professional management of risks. The FDFA incorporates the lessons learned from its cooperation with NGOs in politically highly polarised contexts like the Middle East conflict into the ongoing development of its toolkit.
29.01.2020
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Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council approved the 2019 foreign policy report at its meeting on 29 January. The report provides an overview of Switzerland’s foreign policy priorities of the past 12 months. These include its EU policy, relations with global priority countries, Switzerland’s commitment to peace and security, and the promotion of prosperity and sustainability. The report highlights how the Federal Council aims to anchor its foreign policy more firmly in domestic policy than it has in the past. It also gives an overwhelmingly positive review of the implementation of the 2016–19 foreign policy strategy.
Last update 23.04.2025
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