News
News overview European topics of the FDFA
Press releases
Here you will find media information on matters concerning European policy. Press releases and other information for the media from the various federal departments and offices can be accessed via the Federal Administration’s media portal.
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All news (631)
President Berset to attend Council of Europe summit in Reykjavík and hold talks with Icelandic government
12.05.2023
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Press releases
Europa
For the fourth time in the 74-year history of the Council of Europe, the heads of state and government of the organisation’s member states will gather next week for a summit. The Swiss delegation to the summit in Reykjavík will be led by President Alain Berset. Prior to the summit, he will meet with Iceland's Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir on Tuesday, 16 May, to discuss current international issues and, above all, cooperation on climate issues.
Livia Leu named Swiss ambassador to Germany
10.05.2023
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 10 May 2023, the Federal Council appointed State Secretary Livia Leu as Swiss ambassador to Germany. She will take up her new post in autumn 2023, replacing Paul Seger, who is retiring. The FDFA is appointing a selection committee to select Livia Leu's successor. The Federal Council has announced further appointments as part of the usual transfer rotation.
Switzerland joins efforts aimed at securing global supply and value chains
09.05.2023
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Press releases
Europa
Switzerland wants to help make global supply and value chains more secure and so strengthen their resilience. It is adding its name to a joint statement supported by 28 states and associations of states, including the EU, the USA and Germany. The move is in line with the Federal Council's foreign economic strategy.
FDFA State Secretary Livia Leu holds political consultations with Kosovo
09.05.2023
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Press releases
EDA
On 9 May, FDFA State Secretary Livia Leu held political consultations in Bern with Kosovo's Deputy Foreign Minister Kreshnik Ahmeti. The meeting focused on bilateral matters, the relations between Kosovo and Serbia, Swiss support for the EU normalisation process between the two countries and the implications for the Western Balkans of the war against Ukraine.
Vice president of the Federal Council to pay visit to the Pope and Swiss Guard at the Vatican
05.05.2023
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Press releases
Europa
Viola Amherd, Vice president of the Federal Council, will attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new recruits to the Pontifical Swiss Guard at the Vatican on 6 May. She will also hold talks with Pope Francis and Christoph Graf, Commander of the Guard.
Meeting of Joint Swiss-British Committee for Science and Innovation
02.05.2023
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Press releases
Europa
On 2 May 2023, State Secretary Martina Hirayama and British Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, George Freeman, opened the first meeting of the Joint Swiss-British Committee for Science and Innovation. This meeting between the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and the British Department for Science, Innovation and Technology was mainly centred on bilateral cooperation in research and innovation.
President Berset to represent Switzerland at the coronation of Charles III
02.05.2023
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Press releases
EDA
The President of the Confederation, Alain Berset, will attend the coronation celebrations of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in London. He will represent Switzerland at the ceremony, thus underlining the excellent relations with the UK. The reception by the King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family will be held at Buckingham Palace on Friday, prior to the coronation at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, 6 May.
Transitional measure for Horizon Europe: Innosuisse supports 53 projects within the framework of the Swiss Accelerator
28.04.2023
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Press releases
Europa
Innosuisse launched a call for projects for the Swiss Accelerator in 2022 as a transitional measure for Horizon Europe. After a three-stage assessment process, the Swiss Innovation Agency has now approved 53 innovation projects from SMEs and start-ups with significant innovation potential.
European cohesion at centre of this year's meeting of German-speaking foreign ministers in Salzburg
27.04.2023
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Press releases
EDA
At the invitation of the Austrian foreign minister, the foreign ministers of the five German-speaking countries met today in Salzburg. The talks focused on Russia's military aggression against Ukraine and its impact on Europe.
State Secretary Martina Hirayama on working visit to Riga
24.04.2023
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Press releases
Europa
On 24 April 2023, State Secretary Martina Hirayama met with Latvian State Secretary for Education and Science, Ms Santa Šmīdlere, in Riga to discuss bilateral cooperation between Switzerland and Latvia in the area of education and research. She also gave an opening speech at the Swiss Innovation Healthcare Day.
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin receives Bulgarian deputy prime minister and minister for education and science
21.04.2023
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Press releases
Europa
The topics of discussion at the working meeting on 21 April in Bern were cooperation between the two countries in the fields of education, research and innovation, the second Swiss contribution to selected EU states and the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT), which was opened in Sofia in 2022 with support from Switzerland.
Ignazio Cassis inaugurates first Swiss embassy to Holy See and meets with Italian and Vatican authorities
21.04.2023
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Press releases
EDA
During a three-day visit to Rome, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, officially inaugurated Switzerland's new diplomatic mission to the Vatican. He said that this new presence will strengthen bilateral relations with the Holy See, during his meeting with the secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. As part of this official working visit, Mr Cassis also held discussions with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani and the Italian minister of economy and finance, Giancarlo Giorgetti.