Press releases

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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

Media (3508)

Further progress achieved on subject of commodities

02.12.2016 — Press releases EDA
On 2 December the Federal Council approved the third status report on the implementation of the recommendations made in the background report on commodities. The status report provides an overview of the state of implementation for each of the seventeen recommendations. It shows that further important progress has been made to further strengthen the conditions for the commodities sector and reduce risks.

Federal Council in favour of lifting the ban on dual nationality for Swiss diplomats

02.12.2016 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 2 December 2016, the Federal Council approved the lifting of the ban on dual nationality for Swiss diplomats. This change to current practice will require an amendment of Article 24 para 2 of the Federal Personnel Ordinance. The lifting of the ban will take effect on 1 January 2017.

Federal councillor Didier Burkhalter speaks with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein about the challenges of protecting human rights

Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein in the Federal Palace in Bern, with the Swiss and UN flags on either side.

29.11.2016 — Press releases EDA
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, made an official working visit to Bern on 29 November 2016. He met with Didier Burkhalter, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), State Secretary Yves Rossier and members of the Foreign Affairs Offices and Committees of the National Council and Council of States. In-depth discussions about international human rights issues, including the situation in Syria, Yemen and Burundi, gave Switzerland the opportunity to reiterate its support for strengthening the Office of the High Commissioner, a crucial advocate for human rights around the world. The current low level of funding allocated to the Office of the High Commissioner, which accounts for 3,5% of the UN’s regular budget, limits its strategic impact in spearheading the UN’s human rights activities.

Visit by the President of the Swiss Confederation to Kuwait underlines intensification of relations

28.11.2016 — Press releases EDA
On Monday, 28 November, President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann was received for a state visit by Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s head of state. The visit by the Swiss president forms part of an intensified series of diplomatic visits to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Kuwait which began in 1966. The official talks focused on bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries at international level. At the weekend, the president attended the Francophonie Summit in Madagascar where he also met with a number of heads of state on the fringes of the conference, including French President François Hollande.

Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter in Slovenia to explore avenues for future cooperation

15.11.2016 — Press releases EDA
“Relations between Switzerland and Slovenia are excellent and very constructive. Our challenge is to maintain and develop them further in the future”, stated Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter during one of several meetings in Ljubljana on 15 November 2016. The two countries’ commitment and developments in relations with the European Union will be key to achieving this goal. Mr Burkhalter met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Karl Erjavec, Prime Minister Miro Cerar and the Speaker of Slovenia’s National Assembly, Milan Brglez.

Research and innovation as drivers in achieving the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals

10.11.2016 — Press releases EDA
With the 2030 Agenda the international community has set 17 sustainable development goals, to be achieved by 2030, bringing together poverty eradication and sustainable development under one umbrella for the first time ever. Research and innovation play a key role, both in the design of measures and in achieving these goals. Stakeholders from science, development and politics gathered together to explore the best ways of achieving them at the second Research Fair on 9 November 2016 at the SDC's head office in Bern.

Visit of the Kosovar Minister of Foreign Affairs: focus on stability

Didier Burkhalter and the Kosovar Minister of Foreign Affairs.

09.11.2016 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Didier Burkhalter, received today his Kosovar counterpart Enver Hoxhaj in Bern as part of an official visit. The two ministers addressed a number of questions related to the close bilateral relations between Switzerland and Kosovo, specifically from the perspective of the two countries' mutual interests in migration and development cooperation. The agenda also featured both the regional context – relations with neighbouring states and the normalisation of relations with Serbia – and international and multilateral issues.

Didier Burkhalter in Tunisia to reaffirm ties of friendship and gauge the joint work still to be done

Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter sitting on a sofa talking to Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui.

08.11.2016 — Press releases EDA
Reaffirming and strengthening already close ties by launching the first political consultations between Switzerland and Tunisia, demonstrating Switzerland’s solidarity towards a country in transition and visiting Swiss cooperation projects: these were the main objectives of the visit to Tunis on Tuesday by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, who had meetings with President Beji Caid Essebi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Khemaies Jhinaoui.

Official visit by Didier Burkhalter to Tunis on 8 November 2016

07.11.2016 — Press releases EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs will travel on Tuesday 8 November to Tunisia, where he will meet with President Beji Caïd Essebsi and hold the first political consultations with Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui.

Swiss expert becomes member of UN Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions

04.11.2016 — Press releases EDA
Marcel Jullier was elected today by the United Nations General Assembly (GA) to the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions of the 5th Committee of the GA. He is thus the first Swiss national to have a seat on this important body.

Tax system for EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse: agreement initialled between Switzerland and France

04.11.2016 — Press releases EDA
During political consultations between France and Switzerland, State Secretary of the FDFA, Yves Rossier, and the General Secretary of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, Christian Masset, have initialled the text of an intergovernmental agreement on the tax system applying to EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse (EAP).

Switzerland to open a consulate general in Vaduz

04.11.2016 — Press releases EDA
At the beginning of December, Switzerland will open a consulate general in the capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein. The chairman of the Swiss Association in Liechtenstein, Sascha Roger Bolt, has been appointed as honorary consul general. His main task is to provide services for the community of about 3,600 Swiss nationals residing in Liechtenstein. This appointment also underscores the value Switzerland places on bilateral relations with the Principality of Liechtenstein.

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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