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.
14.11.2025
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, was in Berlin from 13 to 14 October 2025, where he met Germany's foreign minister Johann Wadephul for official talks. The agenda covered bilateral relations and cross-border cooperation, the package of agreements between Switzerland and the EU, and geopolitical matters including the situation in Ukraine and in the Middle East. Mr Cassis also met with the German minister for economic cooperation and development, Reem Alabali Radovan.
14.11.2025
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Press releases
EDA
Switzerland and Liechtenstein have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the United States. On this basis, the United States will reduce the country-specific additional tariff to 15%.
13.11.2025
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Press releases
EDA
Some two weeks after it hit the region, the impact of Hurricane Melissa continues to severely disrupt daily life for people in Cuba, Jamaica and Haiti. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has sent support in the form of specialists and equipment, and allocated CHF 1.3 million to help meet the needs of those affected in the three countries.
13.11.2025
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Press releases
EDA
State Secretary Alexandre Fasel held political consultations in Bern on 13 November 2025. His talks with Nikolaus Marschik, the secretary-general of the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, focused on current geopolitical developments, bilateral issues and relations between Switzerland and the EU.
11.11.2025
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, will be in Berlin from 13 to 14 November 2025. He will meet with the German foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, and the minister for economic cooperation and development, Reem Alabali Radovan. The talks will focus on bilateral relations, European policy, geopolitical challenges, and reconstruction efforts in Ukraine and Gaza.
10.11.2025
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and EU Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva signed the Switzerland-EU programmes agreement in Bern on 10 November 2025. This part of the Switzerland-EU package can be provisionally applied with retroactive effect from the beginning of 2025. Switzerland is thus associated to Horizon Europe, the Euratom programme and the Digital Europe programme. The agreement also paves the way for association to ITER, Erasmus+ and EU4Health.
07.11.2025
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Press releases
EDA
The Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a key instrument to ensure that humanitarian aid is efficient, anticipatory and localised. The fund is run by the Geneva-based International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is providing the DREF with CHF 6 million for the 2025-26 period.
05.11.2025
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 5 November 2025, the FDFA informed the Federal Council of the short-term measures adopted to provide support to the US peace plan for the Middle East. Switzerland is providing technical expertise in the areas of international humanitarian law, disarmament and demining. It will be stepping up its humanitarian aid to Gaza, and also aims to strengthen the Palestinian Authority. To help implement these measures, the FDFA is releasing an additional CHF 20 million in funding.
03.11.2025
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Press releases
EDA
On 3 November 2025, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attended the 43rd session of UNESCO's General Conference. This year's edition is taking place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. In his speech, Mr Cassis emphasised UNESCO’s important role in tackling the global challenges related to new technologies and pointed out the significance of International Geneva and science diplomacy in this area.
03.11.2025
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Press releases
EDA
In Basel on Monday, 3 November 2025, State Secretary Alexandre Fasel attended the ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the Franco-German-Swiss Intergovernmental Commission for the promotion of cross-border cooperation in the Upper-Rhine region. He paid tribute to the long-standing and successful cooperation in the three-country region as a model of active cross-border partnership in Europe.
31.10.2025
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Press releases
EDA
In response to the severe damage caused by Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean, Switzerland is stepping up its humanitarian efforts in the region. The FDFA has released over CHF 1 million to help those affected in Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica and is deploying nine specialists to Cuba to support the Red Cross there with the relief operations on the ground.
29.10.2025
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Press releases
EDA
The state visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa is serving as an opportunity for Switzerland and South Africa to strengthen relations. On Wednesday, 29 October, five documents on future cooperation were signed. Prior to that, the South African president was received by the full Federal Council. Official talks focused on bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries at international level.
14.11.2025 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, was in Berlin from 13 to 14 October 2025, where he met Germany's foreign minister Johann Wadephul for official talks. The agenda covered bilateral relations and cross-border cooperation, the package of agreements between Switzerland and the EU, and geopolitical matters including the situation in Ukraine and in the Middle East. Mr Cassis also met with the German minister for economic cooperation and development, Reem Alabali Radovan.
14.11.2025 —
Press releases
EDA
Switzerland and Liechtenstein have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the United States. On this basis, the United States will reduce the country-specific additional tariff to 15%.
13.11.2025 —
Press releases
EDA
Some two weeks after it hit the region, the impact of Hurricane Melissa continues to severely disrupt daily life for people in Cuba, Jamaica and Haiti. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has sent support in the form of specialists and equipment, and allocated CHF 1.3 million to help meet the needs of those affected in the three countries.
13.11.2025 —
Press releases
EDA
State Secretary Alexandre Fasel held political consultations in Bern on 13 November 2025. His talks with Nikolaus Marschik, the secretary-general of the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, focused on current geopolitical developments, bilateral issues and relations between Switzerland and the EU.
11.11.2025 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, will be in Berlin from 13 to 14 November 2025. He will meet with the German foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, and the minister for economic cooperation and development, Reem Alabali Radovan. The talks will focus on bilateral relations, European policy, geopolitical challenges, and reconstruction efforts in Ukraine and Gaza.
10.11.2025 —
Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and EU Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva signed the Switzerland-EU programmes agreement in Bern on 10 November 2025. This part of the Switzerland-EU package can be provisionally applied with retroactive effect from the beginning of 2025. Switzerland is thus associated to Horizon Europe, the Euratom programme and the Digital Europe programme. The agreement also paves the way for association to ITER, Erasmus+ and EU4Health.
07.11.2025 —
Press releases
EDA
The Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a key instrument to ensure that humanitarian aid is efficient, anticipatory and localised. The fund is run by the Geneva-based International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is providing the DREF with CHF 6 million for the 2025-26 period.
05.11.2025 —
Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 5 November 2025, the FDFA informed the Federal Council of the short-term measures adopted to provide support to the US peace plan for the Middle East. Switzerland is providing technical expertise in the areas of international humanitarian law, disarmament and demining. It will be stepping up its humanitarian aid to Gaza, and also aims to strengthen the Palestinian Authority. To help implement these measures, the FDFA is releasing an additional CHF 20 million in funding.
03.11.2025 —
Press releases
EDA
On 3 November 2025, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attended the 43rd session of UNESCO's General Conference. This year's edition is taking place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. In his speech, Mr Cassis emphasised UNESCO’s important role in tackling the global challenges related to new technologies and pointed out the significance of International Geneva and science diplomacy in this area.
03.11.2025 —
Press releases
EDA
In Basel on Monday, 3 November 2025, State Secretary Alexandre Fasel attended the ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the Franco-German-Swiss Intergovernmental Commission for the promotion of cross-border cooperation in the Upper-Rhine region. He paid tribute to the long-standing and successful cooperation in the three-country region as a model of active cross-border partnership in Europe.
31.10.2025 —
Press releases
EDA
In response to the severe damage caused by Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean, Switzerland is stepping up its humanitarian efforts in the region. The FDFA has released over CHF 1 million to help those affected in Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica and is deploying nine specialists to Cuba to support the Red Cross there with the relief operations on the ground.
29.10.2025 —
Press releases
EDA
The state visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa is serving as an opportunity for Switzerland and South Africa to strengthen relations. On Wednesday, 29 October, five documents on future cooperation were signed. Prior to that, the South African president was received by the full Federal Council. Official talks focused on bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries at international level.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.