All news (3651)

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.

Security and defence partnership: Federal Council to seek exploratory talks with the EU

25.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 25 June 2025, the Federal Council decided to enter into exploratory talks with the EU with a view to concluding a security and defence partnership. These partnerships provide the EU with a framework for enhancing cooperation with third countries in this field. A security and defence partnership takes the form of non-legally-binding declaration of intent and can be designed individually. A partnership of this kind is a prerequisite for any joint procurements in the defence sector. It is compatible with neutrality and helps to strengthen Switzerland's defence capabilities.

Earthquake simulation exercise: 12 countries train in Kriens to save lives

25.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
The earthquakes in Myanmar in April 2025 and in Turkey in February 2023 claimed countless lives. Internationally deployable rescue teams provide vital assistance in such emergencies, and regular training is key to ensuring the efficiency of their operations. To that end Switzerland is conducting the international earthquake simulation exercise ‘SIMEX25’ in Kriens (canton of Lucerne) from 23 to 27 June. Rescue teams from 12 countries are taking part.

FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel holds political consultations in France

25.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel was in Paris on 25 June 2025 for political consultations. In addition to bilateral topics and cross-border issues, the talks at France's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs centred on current geopolitical developments and the opening of the consultation procedure in Switzerland on the agreements in the new Swiss–EU package to stabilise and develop relations.

Switzerland and EU regulate cooperation during ratification phase of package

24.06.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 24 June 2025, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and EU Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič will sign a joint declaration in Brussels. It sets out arrangements for cooperation between Switzerland and the EU from the end of 2024 until the entry into force of the Swiss–EU package. At its meeting on 13 June 2025, the Federal Council approved the agreements, protocols and statements for the new package to stabilise and further develop Switzerland's bilateral approach with the EU and opened the domestic consultation process.

Media (3500)

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.

The importance of relations between Switzerland and Turkey discussed in Bern

03.11.2016 — Press releases EDA
"Relations with Turkey are extremely important to Switzerland, even more so today than in the past. Dialogue and listening to each other are essential if we are to rise to the challenges of our time". This is what Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter said on 3 November 2016 at a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, at the Lohn Manor near Bern. The talks focused on the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, but the two foreign ministers also discussed their countries’ bilateral relations as well as multilateral cooperation. In addition, Mr Burkhalter mentioned Switzerland's actions and potential in the context of Swiss policy of good offices.

Federal Council explores feasibility of limited expansion of cooperation with Eritrea

02.11.2016 — Press releases EDA
According to a report adopted by the Federal Council during its session on 2 November 2016, ten years after Switzerland discontinued international aid to Eritrea, Switzerland will explore, through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the possibility of relaunching development programmes in this country. What is envisaged at this early stage is not to reopen a cooperation office in Eritrea but the possibility of carrying out pilot projects with a limited budget (CHF 2 million per year) aimed at improving prospects for young people in the country itself through job creation and vocational education and training measures.

The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and its implementing legislation will come into force in Switzerland

02.11.2016 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council adopted the Ordinance to the Federal Act on the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance on 2 November 2016. This marks the end of the legislative aiming at implementing the convention domestically. The Federal Council also decided that the implementing legislation should come into force at the same time as the convention, on 1 January 2017. By taking these measures, Switzerland is making a significant contribution to the global fight against the crime of enforced disappearance.

Nuclear weapons ban: Switzerland calls for consensus-oriented negotiations and the inclusion of all stakeholders

28.10.2016 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland is actively working at the multilateral level to achieve the long-term goal of a world without nuclear weapons. Achieving the desired goal of nuclear disarmament requires the broadest possible support for a ban on nuclear weapons. Because the resolution to launch talks on a nuclear weapons ban did not provide for consensus-oriented rules for future negotiations, Switzerland cast an abstaining vote in the UN General Assembly's disarmament committee.

Hans-Jörg Bannwart re-elected to Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture

27.10.2016 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland welcomes the re-election of Hans-Jörg Bannwart to the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) on Thursday 27 October 2016 for a second term of office.

Opening of the Centre of Competence on Humanitarian Negotiation

25.10.2016 — Press releases EDA
The Centre of Competence on Humanitarian Negotiation, in Geneva, has been opened on 25 October 2016 under the patronage of Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter. The Centre is being launched jointly by the heads of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.

Peace, development and migration at heart of discussions between the Foreign Minister of Mali Abdoulaye Diop and Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mali, Abdoulaye Diop, and the head of Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Didier Burkhalter, during a working visit to Bern. © FDFA

25.10.2016 — Press releases EDA
On Tuesday 25 October, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Didier Burkhalter, received the Foreign Minister of Mali, Abdoulaye Diop, in Bern for an official visit. “Relations between Switzerland and Mali are characterised by a long-standing friendship and also by convergent current interests in terms of security, development and migration,” said Mr Burkhalter. He added that Switzerland will pursue its engagement with Mali in development, humanitarian aid and peace promotion in a coordinated manner. He went on to underline the two countries’ mutual interest in ensuring that development projects are carried out taking migration and security interests into account.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge Brende makes official visit to Switzerland

24.10.2016 — Press releases EDA
President of the Swiss Confederation Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, and Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard received Norway's Foreign Minister Børge Brende for working meetings on 24 October 2016. The talks focused on bilateral political and economic relations and European policy. Further topics were cooperation between Switzerland and Norway in international forums such as the UN and issues in connection with current international events. Foreign Minister Brende also made a courtesy visit to Christa Markwalder, President of the National Council.

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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