Ignazio Cassis receives Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Enzo Moavero Milanesi in Lugano

14.01.2019 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has hosted a working meeting with Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Enzo Moavero Milanesi in Lugano. The two ministers underlined the close relationship between Switzerland and Italy and discussed a number of bilateral and multilateral issues. Switzerland's European policy was also on the agenda.

FDF enables recognition of EU trading venues

20.12.2018 — Press release DEA
The Federal Department of Finance (FDF) has noted the European Commission's decision of 20 December 2018 to extend Switzerland's stock market equivalence until the end of June 2019. As a result, the FDF – based on the Federal Council Ordinance of 30 November 2018 on the Recognition of Foreign Trading Venues – has created the prerequisite to allow EU trading venues to obtain the new FINMA recognition for the time being as well.

Brexit: Switzerland and the UK guarantee citizens’ existing rights

20.12.2018 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 19 December, the Federal Council approved an agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) on the rights of citizens following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU (Brexit). The agreement safeguards the rights of Swiss and UK nationals acquired under the Free Movement of Persons Agreement (e.g. residence rights). This measure is part of the Swiss government’s ‘Mind the Gap’ strategy, the purpose of which is to ensure the acquired rights and obligations of citizens after Brexit.

Federal Council lays the foundation for future economic and trade relations with the United Kingdom

14.12.2018 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 14 December the Federal Council approved the text of a trade agreement with the UK aiming to maintain existing economic and trade relations with the country after its departure from the European Union. The conclusion of this agreement forms part of the Federal Council’s ‘Mind the Gap’ strategy.

Federal Council initiates consultation on introduction of AEOI with 18 further states

07.12.2018 — Press release DEA
During its meeting on 7 December 2018, the Federal Council initiated the consultation on the introduction of the automatic exchange of financial account information (AEOI) with 18 further states and territories. The implementation of the AEOI is planned for 1 January 2020, and the first exchange of data should take place in 2021. The expansion of Switzerland's AEOI network takes current international developments into account.

European policy – Federal Council decides to launch consultations on the draft institutional agreement

07.12.2018 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 7 December 2018, the Federal Council took note of the current outcome of the negotiations on the draft institutional agreement between Switzerland and the European Union. It also takes note of the fact that the EU considers the negotiations to have been concluded. The Federal Council considers the current outcome of the negotiations to be largely in Switzerland's interests and in line with the negotiating mandate. The Federal Council has however decided not to initial the institutional agreement for the time being, in particular in view of outstanding issues relating to the accompanying measures and the Citizens' Rights Directive. It will launch consultations on the draft agreement. The goal of these consultations will be to reach a consolidated position in order to seek further dialogue with the EU if necessary. The Federal Council will consider the status of these consultations in spring 2019.

EU grants 14 million to Swiss Researchers

06.12.2018 — Press release DEA
An ERC Grant is the most prestigious award for excellent European research projects. A team with three researchers from the ETH Domain had also applied for such a grant. Today, Gabriel Aeppli from the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI, Henrik Rønnow from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne EPFL and Nicola Spaldin from ETH Zurich, together with their colleague Alexander Balatsky from Nordita, Stockholm University, received the contract signed by the EU confirming the extraordinary 14 million euro funding. With this funding, they will join their expertise to look into the heart of materials. Using the large research facilities at PSI, they plan to uncover new quantum effects which up to now have been overlooked or could not be seen by previously employed methods. They will also design new materials with useful quantum properties. Such new properties could be of use for data processing or data storage in the future and thus become the backbone of future electronics for the benefit of our Society.

Federal Council brings measure to protect Swiss stock exchange infrastructure into force

30.11.2018 — Press release DEA
The Federal Council continues to advocate that the European Commission extend indefinitely Switzerland's stock market equivalence, which will expire at the end of 2018. Such an extension has not yet taken place. In its meeting on 30 November 2018, the Federal Council adopted a measure as announced to protect the Swiss stock exchange infrastructure, as the market needs clarity in order to adapt to the various scenarios in good time. The new recognition obligation for foreign trading venues introduced by ordinance will apply from 1 January 2019. In practice, it will have an effect only if necessary.

Meeting of the Joint Swiss-EU Committee in the fields of research and innovation

16.11.2018 — Press release DEA
The 23rd meeting of the Joint Committee between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) / Euratom in the areas of research and innovation took place in Brussels today. It provided an opportunity to discuss the implementation of the existing agreement between Switzerland and the EU on the current EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation ‘Horizon 2020’, the Euratom Programme and the international fusion reactor ITER. It also allowed for an exchange of information on ‘Horizon Europe’, the next research and innovation framework programme starting in 2021.

TRAF – No more new principal companies and Swiss finance branches from 2019

15.11.2018 — Press release DEA
In the context of the bill on tax reform and AHV financing (TRAF), the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) will no longer apply the federal practices concerning principal companies and Swiss finance branches to new companies from 2019.

Working meeting in Bern between Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and Lithuanian Minister for Foreign Affairs Linas Antanas Linkevičius

15.11.2018 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has met his Lithuanian counterpart, Linas Antanas Linkevičius, at the Von Wattenwyl House in Bern. The talks focused on bilateral matters, European policy and security issues.

President Alain Berset visits Romania, next holder of EU Council presidency

01.11.2018 — Press release DEA
On Thursday, 1 November, President Berset paid a visit to Romania. The visit follows the tradition of establishing contact with the holder of the next EU Council presidency. Romania will assume the rotating six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first time in January. In addition to bilateral issues, the official talks with Romanian President Klaus Werner Iohannis focused primarily on European policy issues.

Four focal points of President Leuthard’s bilateral talks in Davos

20.01.2017 — Press release DEA

Bern, Switzerland’s relations with the European Union (EU), international energy and climate policy, migration issues and current challenges in the field of peace and security: these were the focal points of President Doris Leuthard’s bilateral talks on the fringes of this year’s WEF Annual Meeting in Davos. The president held lengthy talks with over a dozen heads of state and government, and met Maroš Šefčovič, the vice president of the European Commission.

Federal Council approves 2016 Foreign Policy Report

11.01.2017 — Press release DEA
The Federal Council approved the 2016 Foreign Policy Report at its meeting on 11 January 2017. The report gives an overview of Swiss foreign policy and provides an account of Switzerland’s most important foreign policy activities in 2016, in particular in the areas of development cooperation, humanitarian aid and good offices. This year’s report contains a chapter focusing on Switzerland’s efforts to promote peace and development in the crisis regions stretching from Syria to the Sahel.

Federal Council issues the 2016 Foreign Economic Policy Report

11.01.2017 — Press release DEA
On 11 January 2017 the Federal Council released the 2016 Foreign Economic Policy Report. The feature topic highlights current challenges facing Swiss foreign economic policy. Appropriate economic conditions should enable Swiss companies to have better access to foreign markets, and to make use of new business opportunities emerging with digitalisation.

Federal Council decides on basic parameters for counter-proposal to Rasa initiative

21.12.2016 — Press release DEA
In October, the Federal Council decided to submit a direct counter-proposal to the Rasa initiative. At its meeting on 21 December 2016, it resolved to draw up two versions of a counter-proposal for consultation and determined the basic parameters for the contents of both versions.

The Gotthard tunnel and migration policy dominated media coverage of Switzerland in 2016

20.12.2016 — Press release DEA
The opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel, which was attended by all the heads of state of Switzerland’s neighbouring countries, drew considerable media attention abroad. International media coverage of Switzerland focused on topics that also attracted attention in other European countries: migration and Islam. Two popular votes also drew international media coverage about Switzerland: The ‘Implementation initiative’ and the ‘unconditional basic income initiative’. In 2016, a year marked by great international upheaval, Switzerland’s economic and political stability were presented in a positive light by the foreign press.

European Space Agency’s ESA successful Ministerial Council meeting in Switzerland

02.12.2016 — Press release DEA
The Ministers responsible for space affairs from ESA Member States came together on 1-2 December 2016 to make important decisions, namely on the strategy to ensure Europe reinforces its excellence in space science and technology; maximising the integration of space into European society and on fostering a competitive European space sector. The meeting in Lucerne, the first one on Swiss territory, was also the occasion for Switzerland and Luxembourg to pass on the Ministerial Presidency to Spain.

President Schneider-Ammann attends ESA Ministerial Council

01.12.2016 — Press release DEA
On 1 December, President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann addressed the ministers of the 22 member states of the European Space Agency ESA and Canada in Lucerne. Switzerland has co-chaired ESA with Luxembourg since 2012. Spain will take over the chairmanship at the meeting in Lucerne.

Visit by the President of the Swiss Confederation to Kuwait underlines intensification of relations

28.11.2016 — Press release DEA

Bern, - On Monday, 28 November, President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann was received for a state visit by Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s head of state. The visit by the Swiss president forms part of an intensified series of diplomatic visits to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Kuwait which began in 1966. The official talks focused on bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries at international level. At the weekend, the president attended the Francophonie Summit in Madagascar where he also met with a number of heads of state on the fringes of the conference, including French President François Hollande.        

Federal Council adopts Ordinance on International Automatic Exchange of Information in Tax Matters

23.11.2016 — Press release DEA
During its meeting on 23 November 2016, the Federal Council adopted the Ordinance on International Automatic Exchange of Information in Tax Matters. The ordinance will enter into force on 1 January 2017. The proposal met with widespread approval in the consultation.

Polish President Andrzej Duda pays official visit to Switzerland

14.11.2016 — Press release DEA
On Monday, 14 November, President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann received Polish President Andrzej Duda in Bern for an official visit. The official talks, attended by two further members of the Federal Council, focused on bilateral relations and also covered European and economic policy issues. In connection with the theme of dual-track vocational education and training, the two presidents later visited a local business.

Withholding tax agreement with Austria to be terminated

11.11.2016 — Press release DEA
The withholding tax agreement between Switzerland and Austria will be terminated on 1 January 2017. The agreement between Switzerland and the EU on the automatic exchange of information in tax matters will enter into force on that date. On 11 November 2016, Switzerland and Austria signed a corresponding agreement in Bern to ensure a smooth transition between the two models.

Visit of the Kosovar Minister of Foreign Affairs: focus on stability

09.11.2016 — Press release DEA
Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Didier Burkhalter, received today his Kosovar counterpart Enver Hoxhaj in Bern as part of an official visit. The two ministers addressed a number of questions related to the close bilateral relations between Switzerland and Kosovo, specifically from the perspective of the two countries' mutual interests in migration and development cooperation. The agenda also featured both the regional context – relations with neighbouring states and the normalisation of relations with Serbia – and international and multilateral issues.

Coronavirus: Further easing of entry restrictions from 8 June

27.05.2020 — DEA
The Federal Council is to further relax entry restrictions in connection with the coronavirus pandemic. The restrictions will be lifted in step with the reopening of the economy. From 8 June, the cantons will begin processing applications from workers from the EU/EFTA member states. In addition, Swiss companies will be allowed to employ highly skilled workers from third countries if this is in the public interest, or if they are urgently required. To benefit the domestic workforce, companies will again be required to give notification of job vacancies, a measure that was temporarily suspended during the lockdown. Lastly, the Federal Council plans to lift all travel restrictions and re-establish the free movement of persons across the Schengen area no later than 6 July. Border controls with Germany, Austria and France will be lifted as early as 15 June, as previously announced.

Securing access to research cooperation and funding programmes in Europe

20.05.2020 — DEA
Horizon Europe, the EU’s next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, is due to start in 2021. Along with three other European initiatives, Horizon Europe forms the ‘2021–2027 Horizon package’. On 20 May 2020 the Federal Council adopted a dispatch on funding requesting Parliament to approve CHF 6,154 million in funding to secure Switzerland’s participation in the Horizon package. Provided Parliament approves this funding, the Federal Council and the EU will be able to renew their bilateral research agreement and secureSwitzerland’s continued and uninterrupted participation in the Horizon package as an associated state.

Coronavirus: Switzerland reaches agreement with Germany, Austria and France on opening borders

13.05.2020 — DEA
Switzerland plans to open all borders with Germany, Austria and France on 15 June 2020, if the epidemiological situation allows. Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter has reached agreement on this move following talks with the interior ministers of these three neighbouring countries. She advised the Federal Council of the agreement at its meeting on 13 May 2020.

New slides provide handy, up-to-date information on Switzerland’s European policy

26.11.2019 — Article DEA
Switzerland enjoys close, important and diverse relations with the European Union. They are based on the bilateral approach and influence many aspects of citizens’ lives, both in Switzerland and in the EU.

Serbian Prime Minister Brnabić attends working meeting with President Maurer

03.09.2019 — DEA
On Tuesday, 3 September, President Ueli Maurer received Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić at the Bernerhof for a working visit on the fringes of Swiss Digital Day. Discussions covered bilateral issues such as business and digital transformation, Serbia’s relations with the European Union, and the situation in the Western Balkans.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visits Samos refugee camp and meets new Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs

10.07.2019 — EDA
Mr Cassis's visit to Greece has mainly been concerned with the situation of refugees and the challenges posed by migration. On Tuesday, the head of the FDFA visited the refugee camp on Samos and today met Nikos Dendias, who was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs this week, and President Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

Switzerland and EU adapt their insurance agreement

05.07.2018 — DEA
Switzerland and the EU have been adapting their Direct Insurance Agreement which has existed since 1989 to the new regulatory requirements. The mixed committee with representatives from both sides adopted the changes on 3 July 2018 and brought them into effect. Thereby the agreement is also in line with the future requirements of the Swiss insurance business.

Switzerland and France give go-ahead to implementation of EuroAirport agreement

19.12.2017 — EDA
At their first meeting, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian brought the issue of the tax regime at Basel-Mulhouse (EuroAirport) to a conclusion: the agreement regulating Swiss companies operating at EuroAirport will be applicable from next year. The two foreign ministers' working meeting also focused on other bilateral issues, the situation in Europe and Switzerland's policy with regard to the EU.

EU-Switzerland Financial Regulatory Dialogue held in Bern

19.10.2017 — DEA
The Swiss State Secretariat for International Financial Matters and the European Commission held their 2017 Financial Regulatory Dialogue on October 19 in Berne. The Dialogue was co-chaired by Jörg Gasser, State Secretary for International Financial Matters, and Olivier Guersent, European Commission's Director General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union. Participants included staff from the European Commission, European Supervisory Authorities, Single Resolution Board, the Swiss federal administration, the Swiss National Bank and the Swiss Financial Supervisory Authority FINMA.

European Parliament’s PANA Committee to visit Switzerland

15.09.2017 — DEA
The Swiss authorities will receive a delegation from the European Parliament's PANA Committee on 15 September. The focus of the talks will be the current system and the ongoing work to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and tax offences.

Switzerland once again a full member of partnership-funded EU innovation programmes

23.08.2017 — DEA
On 23 August, the Federal Council approved the agreements on Switzerland’s participation in the Eurostars-2 and the Active and Assisted Living research and development programmes. This means that Switzerland is once again a full member of both programmes and is co-financed by the EU. The programmes are particularly interesting for research-intensive SMEs looking to enter new European or global markets through cross-border cooperation. Switzerland’s participation in the AAL programme is one of the many measures that form part of the federal government’s Skilled Workers Initiative.

Linking of the Swiss and European emissions trading systems: big step forward

16.08.2017 — DEA
Switzerland and the European Union are preparing to link their emissions trading systems. The Federal Council approved the signing of the corresponding agreement at its meeting of 16 August 2017. The European Commission has also adopted proposals for the signature and ratification of the agreement and has submitted them to the Council of the European Union for approval. The agreement could be signed before the end of this year. Its ratification must then be approved by the Swiss and European parliaments.