An Iraqi police officer at the gates of the former Swiss embassy in Baghdad.

3 September 2024

Switzerland reopens embassy in Baghdad after 33-year hiatus

Since September 3, 2023, Switzerland once again has a diplomatic presence in Iraq. The previous embassy was closed in 1991 due to the 1991 Gulf War. The Federal Council aims to strengthen bilateral relations with Iraq and deepen cooperation in economic, security and migration matters. This move also fulfils an objective of the Federal Council's MENA Strategy 2021–24 adopted in 2020.

A white car in front of housing blocks destroyed by shelling. A blue sky is visible through a large gap in the blocks.

18 November 2022

Protecting civilians in war

The civilian population in cities suffers greatly from the use of explosive weapons such as bombs. Switzerland calls for a better protection of civilians through a political declaration.

Two technicians install solar panels on the roof of a public building.

11 August 2021

«The enlargement contribution has had a positive impact on Switzerland's bilateral relations with the EU-13 countries»

Following the termination of the institutional agreement negotiations, the Federal Council is working towards the unblocking of the second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states.

A woman standing in a group of people, making the victory sign.

15 June 2021

«We have a vested interest in a democratic and stable Sudan»

Ambassador Siri Walt is leading a delegation to Khartoum to sound out how Switzerland can leverage its support for the democratisation process in Sudan.

A woman with an infant in her arms stands in a field with high grass and watches children playing in the distance.

3 February 2021

Common principles for regular migration

Press release – Federal Council adopts dispatch on UN Global Compact for Migration

Three girls walk along a gravel path at the Azraq refugee camp in the Jordanian desert.

24 January 2021

Cooperation to bolster children's education in emergencies

The Geneva Global Hub for Education in Emergencies, launched on 25 January 2021, has the potential to create long-term prospects for children and youth affected by humanitarian crises.

A graphic shows a section of a world map. The 18 countries of the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region are highlighted in colour.

14 October 2020

Foreign policy priorities for the Middle East and North Africa region

In its MENA strategy, the Federal Council sets out its foreign policy priorities for the Middle East and North Africa for the period 2021–24.

The Head of Switzerland's Humanitarian Aid Department Manuel Bessler talks to members of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit and Spiros Habimama, deputy director of the Lesbos camp, during a site visit.

30 September 2020

Lesbos: «It's now time for actors on the ground to take over our projects»

Interview with the Head of Swiss Humanitarian Aid Manuel Bessler during an official visit to the migrant and refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos on Tuesday 29 September.

An African woman holds a microphone as she interviews another woman in a radio studio.

20 February 2020

Switzerland's international cooperation for 2021–24 to focus on jobs, climate, migration and the rule of law

The Federal Council has adopted the new strategy for Switzerland's international cooperation work. Its purpose is to alleviate need and poverty, to foster respect for human rights, to promote democracy and to conserve the environment.

A graphic uses icons to illustrate the priorities of the Foreign Policy Strategy 2020–2023: a dove stands for "peace and security", a diagram for "prosperity", a globe for "sustainability" and a net for "digitalization".

31 January 2020

New strategic framework for Swiss foreign policy

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.

Situation in the Middle East

News overview Migration