News overview Europe

It is intended to ensure that the cantons are involved in the application of the institutional elements of the single market agreements.

Three examples of trust in political institutions, elections and human rights illustrate how Switzerland collaborates with the OSCE to foster peace and security in Europe.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis took part in the Moldova Support Platform in Chisinau on 17 October 2023.

The Confederation and the Conference of Cantonal Governments chaired EUSALP in 2023.

Interview with Stefano Toscano, Director of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), about their support in the fight against landmines.

The Council of Europe works to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law. In times of war, these activities are even more important, says Ambassador Christian Meuwly

Debora Kern (SDC) & Daniel Birchmeier (SECO) explain the Second Swiss contribution to selected EU states in a joint interview.

On the occasion of Europe Day, President Ignazio Cassis pays tribute to the Council of Europe's commitment to human rights, the rule of law and democracy.

Congress President Leendert Verbeek talks about Swiss federalism. This is what he learned from his four-day visit to Switzerland. Interview.

An interview with David Eray, president of the Cantonal Council of Jura and head of the Swiss delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.

On 29 October 2021, Federal Councillor Cassis launches the process ‹On the Road to Lugano› in preparation for the Ukraine Reform Conference 2022, to be held in Switzerland. Increasing responsibility at local level, lowering the cost of heating, contributing towards conflict prevention – Switzerland has been supporting Ukraine for more than 20 years in the areas of international cooperation, peacebuilding and humanitarian aid. Thanks to this long-standing engagement and its chairmanship of the conference, Switzerland will be able to make a lasting contribution in 2022 to stability and prosperity in Ukraine.

Similar to Switzerland, other states manage their bilateral relationship with the EU in an independent manner – like the United Kingdom and Norway. An interview with Swiss Ambassador Markus Leitner.

Ambassador Patric Franzen is the new Head of the Europe Division in the FDFA and Deputy State Secretary.

Switzerland and the Baltic States are celebrating 100 years of bilateral relations and 30 years of renewed ties since the end of the Soviet era. A collection of messages.

The Federal Council undertook an overall evaluation of the outcome of the negotiations on the institutional framework agreement-It took the decision not to sign the agreement.

The Federal Council has decided to stop negotiations on the institutional agreement with the EU. President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin and Federal Councillors Ignazio Cassis and Karin Keller-Sutter explain the reasons for the decision to the press.

On the occasion of the 131st Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Swiss experts talks about their work in the digital field.

Twelve representatives of Switzerland's cantons, communes and cities sit in the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.

Switzerland's perspective on the Trade and Cooperation Agreement of 24 December 2020 between the EU and the UK.

In an interview with CH Media, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis talks about Switzerland's European policy and the management of the COVID-19 crisis – both of which require a willingness to compromise.

In an interview with the NZZ, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis talks about increasing polarisation, Switzerland's strengths, and its relations with Europe.

Livia Leu became the new head of the State Secretariat of the FDFA on 1 January 2021. The Secretariat comprises both geographic and thematic divisions, as well as units providing specific services.

In 1990, Swiss diplomats reported on the visit of Václav Havel to Bern in documents that are now being published for the first time by the Dodis research centre.

The Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the Council of Europe, speaks about 70 years of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

The FDFA strongly condemns the latest terrorist attacks in France, Austria and Afghanistan.

70 years of the European Convention on Human Rights: its significance for Switzerland yesterday and today.

In an interview with the NZZ, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis talks about the negotiations with the EU and the institutional framework agreement.

In an interview during a visit to Liechtenstein, Ignazio Cassis speaks about the relationship between the two countries and Switzerland's European policy.

Switzerland's new international cooperation strategy is clearer, more measurable and more transparent, says Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in an interview with the Swiss newspaper Blick.

A series of 60-second videos illustrates aspects of relations between Switzerland and the European Union.

In the run-up to the vote of 27 September on the initiative to limit immigration, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis answered 20 Minuten readers' questions in a live chat.

In un’intervista rilasciata alla SRF Ignazio Cassis descrive il rapporto della Svizzera con l’Europa e spiega perché l’aumento dei casi di COVID-19 non lo preoccupa ancora.

In an interview with Sonntagsblick, Ignazio Cassis talks about COVID-19, the urge to be active and about why good relationships should be protected.

25 years after the Srebrenica massacre the question arises what we have learned from the past and how such atrocities can be prevented.

In an interview with RSI, Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis comments on the measures taken against COVID-19 in Switzerland.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis opens the Swiss Embassy in Minsk. He will also use his stay in Belarus for bilateral talks with President Lukashenka and Foreign Minister Makej.

At an international donors' conference in Brussels on 17 February, Switzerland pledged some CHF 10.2 million to help Albania rebuild after the 2019 earthquake.

The Federal Council approves the 2019 foreign policy report which prioritises EU relations, global partners, peace and security, and sustainable development. It takes a positive view of implementation of the foreign policy strategy in 2019.