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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

FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel in Germany for political consultations

01.07.2025 — Press releases EDA
Alexandre Fasel, the state secretary of the FDFA, was in Berlin on 1 July 2025 to hold political consultations with his German counterpart, the state secretary of the Federal Foreign Office, Géza Andreas von Geyr. Talks focused on current geopolitical developments, bilateral issues and the opening of the consultation procedure in Switzerland on the agreements in the new Swiss-EU package. Mr Fasel also met with the state secretary of Germany's Federal Chancellery, Jörg Semmler.

Switzerland attends 4th International Conference on Financing for Development

30.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland will be participating in the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, Spain, from 30 June to 3 July 2025. Organised under the auspices of the United Nations, this global event aims to address financing challenges in order to help achieve the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals. The conference will cover a wide range of issues relating to development policy, environmental, economic and social sustainability, and macroeconomics. The Swiss delegation is being led by Patricia Danzi, director general of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Karin Keller-Sutter to meet Emmanuel Macron in Paris

27.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Karin Keller-Sutter, is to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Tuesday, 1 July. The geopolitical situation and security issues will be at the centre of their discussions. Also on the agenda are bilateral relations between Switzerland and France, European policy and competitiveness.

Switzerland to host a global summit on artificial intelligence in 2027

25.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 25 June 2025, the Federal Council expressed its intention to host an artificial intelligence (AI) summit in Geneva in 2027.

Media (3504)

Switzerland and Iran discuss ways of developing relations

03.07.2018 — Press releases EDA
On Tuesday, 3 July, during the official visit by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Bern, Switzerland and Iran reaffirmed their support for the Road Map agreed in 2016; the two countries expressed their wish to deepen relations in spite of the current circumstances and push ahead with implementing the Road Map. The talks between President Rouhani and a Federal Council delegation led by President Alain Berset focused on stabilising the nuclear deal with Iran following the withdrawal of the USA and bilateral cooperation. An agreement and two declarations of intent were signed following the talks.

Schweizer Bretton-Woods-Stimmrechtsgruppe trifft sich in Warschau

02.07.2018 — Press releases EDA
Die Bundesräte Ueli Maurer und Johann N. Schneider-Ammann nehmen am 2. Juli 2018 zusammen mit Nationalbankpräsident Thomas Jordan am Treffen der schweizerischen Stimmrechtsgruppe im Internationalen Währungsfonds (IWF) und der Weltbank, den Bretton-Woods-Institutionen, in Warschau teil.

Swiss expert Philip D. Jaffé elected to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child

29.06.2018 — Press releases EDA
Philip D. Jaffé was today elected to the Committee on the Rights of the Child by the states parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. He is the second Swiss person to serve as a member.

Annual Swiss Development Cooperation Conference: Federal Councillor Cassis calls for effectiveness

29.06.2018 — Press releases EDA
The sustainable development of urban and rural areas in Africa was at the heart of the SDC/SECO Annual Swiss Development Cooperation Conference that took place on 29 June 2018 in Bern. Participating for the first time in his capacity as head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis called for effectiveness in the field of international cooperation.

Paul Seger appointed Swiss ambassador to Germany

27.06.2018 — Press releases EDA
In April 2018, the UN Secretary-General appointed Christine Schraner Burgener, until May head of mission in Berlin, as Special Envoy on Myanmar. Paul Seger, head of mission in Yangon (Myanmar) since October 2015, will become the new ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Federal Republic of Germany, succeeding Ms Schraner Burgener in August 2018.

Barn owls and art feature on diplomatic corps excursion to the canton of Fribourg

27.06.2018 — Press releases EDA
A farm in the Sense district of canton Fribourg and the Espace Jean Tinguely-Niki de Saint Phalle in the town of Fribourg itself were the sites of this year’s excursion for the diplomatic corps. The farm in Bösingen FR was chosen because it is home to barn owls; these much-prized birds of prey are at the heart of a science diplomacy project in the Middle East.

Zimbabwe: Switzerland welcomes political parties' commitment to prevent electoral violence

26.06.2018 — Press releases EDA
At an official ceremony in Harare this Tuesday, Zimbabwe’s political parties committed to respect a Code of Conduct for the first elections following the departure of former President Mugabe. Switzerland congratulates all political leaders on this key contribution to the prevention of violence and fraud, and calls on them to fully meet their commitments. At the request of the political parties, the FDFA provided advice during the negotiations on the drafting of the Code of Conduct and will continue its support to help widely communicate the Code, monitor its implementation and resolve disputes peacefully until the elections, which are scheduled to take place on 30 July 2018.

Kosovo's Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli pays official visit to Switzerland

22.06.2018 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met Kosovo's Minister for Foreign Affairs Behgjet Pacolli on 22 June 2018 during an official working visit to Lugano, where the two officials discussed bilateral relations between Switzerland and Kosovo as well as the situation in the Balkan region.

Pope Francis received in Switzerland by a delegation of the Federal Council

21.06.2018 — Press releases EDA
On Thursday, 21 June, Pope Francis arrived in Switzerland for a one-day visit. During their official talks, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr Alain Berset, and Pope Francis discussed the priorities of Switzerland and the Holy See, particularly regarding peace and security. Prior to that, the Pope was greeted at Geneva airport by President Berset, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, National Council president, Dominique de Buman, and a delegation from the Genevan authorities. Mr Cassis and Mr de Buman later also attended a meeting with the Pope. In the evening, Mr Berset and Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard will bid the Pope farewell on his departure.

Switzerland regrets the United States' withdrawal from the Human Rights Council (last modification, the 20.06.2018)

20.06.2018 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland regrets the United States' decision to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council, which it sees as a core body in the promotion and protection of human rights as a whole.

Federal Council adopts Switzerland's country report on implementation of the 2030 Agenda

20.06.2018 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 20 June 2018, the Federal Council adopted Switzerland's country report on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The report shows that Switzerland has already firmly established the UN's Sustainable Development Goals in its policies, although challenges still remain. Switzerland's country report will be presented at the UN in New York in July 2018.

Übergabe des Beglaubigungsschreibens (de)

19.06.2018 — Press releases EDA
Bern, 19.06.2018 - Übergabe der Beglaubigungsschreiben der neu in der Schweiz akkreditierten Botschafterinnen und Botschafter

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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