Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter receives Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström

11.10.2016 — Press release DEA
Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) Didier Burkhalter received the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström for a working visit today. The talks, held at Hôtel DuPeyrou in Neuchâtel, covered bilateral relations and EU policy. Cooperation between Switzerland and Sweden in international forums and topical international issues were also on the agenda for discussion.

Implementation of the Mass Immigration Initiative: quick ratification of the Croatia protocol possible

30.09.2016 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 28/29 September 2016 the ETH Board made key decisions in order to invest in strategic research areas which are crucial for Switzerland. It also discussed the current implementation status of the Mass Immigration Initiative. In the view of the ETH Board, the National Council’s recent decision lays the foundations for the Croatia protocol to be quickly ratified by the Federal Council so that Switzerland could remain within Horizon 2020.

Federal Council amends Heavy Vehicle Charge Ordinance

23.09.2016 — Press release DEA
During its meeting today, the Federal Council amended the tariffs for vehicles which are subject to the mileage-related heavy vehicle charge (LSVA). The new tariffs will enter into force on 1 January 2017. In this way, the decisions to promote the shift of transalpine goods transport which the Federal Council took in principle with the 2015 report on the transfer of traffic will be implemented.

President Schneider-Ammann meets European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker in Zurich

19.09.2016 — Press release DEA
President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann met with the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, in Zurich on Monday to discuss the current state of relations between Switzerland and the European Union. One of the main topics was the implementation of Article 121a of the Federal Constitution on immigration. In the evening, the two presidents attended an event to mark the 70th anniversary of the historic speech on Europe given by Winston Churchill in Zurich.

New funding programme to serve as launch pad for Swiss start-ups

14.09.2016 — Press release DEA
This autumn, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Education (SERI) will open an ESA Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC) in Switzerland. In addition to technical expertise and business-development support, ESA BIC Switzerland will also provide start-ups with up to EUR 500,000 in funding, which makes this a very interesting programme for young Swiss companies. The programme aims to support innovation in the space industry and the transfer of space technology to other fields.

President receives British Minister of State for Trade Policy

14.09.2016 — Press release DEA
President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann today met the British Minister of State for Trade Policy, Lord Price. The meeting focused on the state of bilateral economic relations. Discussions also covered the outcome of the UK referendum to leave the EU, and its impact on the country’s future trade policy. The two partners agreed that bilateral economic relations should be maintained and strengthened. The bilateral dialogue should be intensified in the coming months.

President Schneider-Ammann holds official talks with Maltese president and prime minister

10.09.2016 — Press release DEA
President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann concluded his visit to Malta on Saturday by meeting Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. He was received for a state visit on Friday by the President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. The Republic of Malta will assume the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2017.

The Federal Council extends the interim solution for Erasmus+ until the end of 2017

07.09.2016 — Press release DEA
The Federal Council has extended the 2014–2016 interim solution for Swiss participation in individual projects of the European mobility programme Erasmus+ by one year, thus providing interested Swiss nationals the opportunity to participate in European mobility and cooperation projects until the end of 2017.

Federal Councillor Maurer at meeting of German-speaking finance ministers

23.08.2016 — DEA
Today, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer attended the informal working meeting of German-speaking finance ministers in Vaduz. He discussed current financial and fiscal policy issues with his counterparts Wolfgang Schäuble (Germany), Hans Jörg Schelling (Austria), Adrian Hasler (Liechtenstein) and Pierre Gramegna (Luxembourg).

Bundesrat Didier Burkhalter und Italiens Aussenminister Paolo Gentiloni tauschen sich über Vertiefung der Zusammenarbeit aus

22.08.2016 — Press release DEA
Die bilateralen Beziehungen zwischen der Schweiz und Italien sowie die Europapolitik standen im Zentrum des Gesprächs zwischen Bundesrat Didier Burkhalter und seinem italienischen Amtskollegen Paolo Gentiloni, welches am 22. August 2016 am Rande der diesjährigen Botschafter- und Aussennetzkonferenz in Genf stattfand. Die beiden Aussenminister beschlossen, sich insbesondere im Bereich der Europapolitik enger abzusprechen.

Swiss Labour Force Survey in 2nd quarter 2016: labour supply – 1.6% increase in number of employed persons; unemployment rate based on ILO definition rises slightly to 4.3%

18.08.2016 — Press release DEA

Neuchâtel, The number of employed persons in Switzerland rose by 1.6% between the 2nd quarter 2015 and the 2nd quarter 2016. During the same period, the unemployment rate as defined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) increased slightly from 4.2% to 4.3%. The EU's unemployment rate decreased from 9.5% to 8.6%. These are some of the survey results from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Foreign ministers of German-speaking countries discuss European issues and advocate closer cooperation on European security

05.08.2016 — Press release DEA
Meeting today at Gutenberg Castle in Balzers (Liechtenstein), the foreign ministers of the five German-speaking countries decided to collaborate more closely on the prevention of violent extremism, cooperative security in Europe and other regions and the promotion of the German language. The ministers also underlined the importance of close, constructive relations between the members of the European Union and neighbouring countries like Switzerland.

Close ties form basis for intensified cooperation: Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter meets Finland's Foreign Minister Timo Soini

10.07.2015 — Press release EDA
During his stay in Helsinki, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter held bilateral discussions with Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini. In addition to bilateral cooperation, the meeting focused on Switzerland's policy regarding the EU as well as the crisis in Ukraine and possibilities for rebuilding European security.

Launch of first European nanomedicine characterization lab

02.07.2015 — Press release DEA
Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, is part of the «European Nanomedicine Characterization Laboratory», a European project funded by the EU framework program «Horizon 2020». Its goal is to reach a level of international excellence in nanomedicine characterization for diseases like cancer, diabetes, inflammatory diseases or infections. This competence will be made accessible to all organizations developing candidate nanomedicines prior to their submission to regulatory agencies to get approval for clinical trials and, later on, for marketing authorization.

Close partnership at bilateral and multilateral levels: Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter holds political talks in Liechtenstein

26.06.2015 — Press release EDA
On his working visit to Liechtenstein, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter today met Prime Minister Adrian Hasler and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education and Culture Aurelia Frick. The two sides emphasised the close, friendly relations between the two countries, this being reflected in the wide range of issues that were discussed.

27. Treffen des Gemischten Landverkehrsausschusses Schweiz–EU

26.06.2015 — Press release EDA
Der Gemischte Landverkehrsausschuss Schweiz–EU traf sich am Freitag in Brüssel zum 27. Mal. Die Schweizer Delegation wurde vom Direktor des Bundesamtes für Verkehr (BAV), Peter Füglistaler, angeführt. Sie informierte die Delegation der EU namentlich über den Entscheid des Bundesrates zur leistungsabhängigen Schwerverkehrsabgabe (LSVA).

Official working visit to Switzerland by the Slovak foreign minister

25.06.2015 — Press release EDA
On Thursday, 25 June 2015, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter received Slovakia ’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miroslav Lajčák, for an official visit to Switzerland. In addition to bilateral relations, the main agenda item was Switzerland’s policy on the European Union (EU). Slovakia will assume the presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2016. Talks also covered various regional and multilateral issues as well as current international affairs. Afterwards, Mr Lajčák paid the President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, a courtesy visit.

The Federal Council notes the results of the consultation on continuation of the Federal Act on Cooperation with the States of Eastern Europe

24.06.2015 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council has taken note of the results of the consultation on continuation of the Federal Act on Cooperation with the States of Eastern Europe, which remains in force until the end of May 2017. Its renewal would enable the continuation of cooperation with those states of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union that are not members of the European Union. The corresponding dispatch to Parliament is expected to be submitted by the end of February 2016 at the latest.

Official working visit to Bern by Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs

23.06.2015 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter received this Tuesday the Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs, Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, for an official working visit to Bern. Their talks focused on bilateral relations, Iceland's and Switzerland's policies on the European Union (EU), and various current international issues.

Next step in Copernicus, the European Global Monitoring for Environment and Security system

22.06.2015 — Press release DEA
On 23 June the European Space Agency ESA launches Sentinel-2A, the second in a series of missions forming the space component of the Copernicus programme, Europe’s Global Monitoring for Environment and Security system.

Third series of corporate tax reforms ready for parliamentary deliberation

05.06.2015 — Press release DEA
During its meeting today, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the Corporate Tax Reform Act III. The reform aims to strengthen Switzerland as a business location, focusing on innovation, value creation and jobs. The proposed measures are compatible with the current international standards and will increase legal and planning certainty for companies. At the same time, the reform ensures that companies will make an appropriate contribution to the tax revenue of the federal government, the cantons and the communes also in the future.

Countdown running: Exactly a year to the opening of the Gotthard base tunnel

01.06.2015 — Press release DEA
In a year’s time, the Gotthard base tunnel will be inaugurated. At 57 kilometres in length, it will be the world’s longest tunnel. Today in Lucerne, transport minister Doris Leuthard started the countdown to the ceremony. On 1 June 2016, the official state occasion will take place, and the following weekend, a large-scale celebration will be held to thank the public.

Official meeting between Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter and Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni in Bern

28.05.2015 — Press release DEA
Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, received Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni for official talks in Bern today, and praised the excellent relations between the two countries. Among the topics discussed by Mr Burkhalter and Mr Gentiloni were Expo Milano 2015, the opening of the Gotthard base tunnel in 2016 and the significance of the New Transalpine Rail Link, progress made on fiscal and financial matters, and Switzerland's policy on the EU. The two ministers also discussed international matters, specifically migration policy and the situation in North Africa and the Middle East.

Official visit to Bern by Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Charles Flanagan

06.05.2015 — Press release DEA

Bern, The Head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, received the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charles Flanagan, for an official visit to Bern on Wednesday 6 May 2015. Their talks focused on bilateral relations, the EU and Switzerland's policy on Europe. They also discussed cooperation within international bodies, particularly the UN, and the situation in the Middle East.

EU and Swiss regulators sign confidentiality arrangement

22.07.2015 — Article DEA

Arrangements will improve oversight of medicines for better protection of public and animal health.

Contribution to the enlarged EU: signing of bilateral framework agreement with Croatia

30.06.2015 — DEA
On 30 June 2015 in Zagreb, Switzerland and Croatia signed the bilateral framework agreement which regulates the substance and implementation of the Swiss enlargement contribution to Croatia. Switzerland has allocated CHF 45 million to support projects in Croatia, in particular in the fields of water treatment, supply of drinking water, research and vocational education and training.

Popular vote Ecopop

30.11.2014 — Article DEA

In a popular vote held on 30 November 2014, 74.1% of the Swiss people and all the cantons have rejected the popular initiative «Stop overpopulation – safeguard our natural environment» (Ecopop initiative).

Switzerland takes further step towards introduction of automatic exchange of information

19.11.2014 — DEA
Today, the Federal Council approved a declaration on Switzerland joining the multilateral agreement on the automatic exchange of information in tax matters. This international agreement, which was developed within the framework of the OECD, forms a basis for the future introduction of the cross-border automatic exchange of information. The question regarding the countries with which Switzerland should introduce this exchange of data is not affected by the signing of the multilateral agreement; it will be presented to Parliament separately at a later stage.

French President François Hollande to pay a state visit to Switzerland in 2015

30.10.2014 — DEA
During President Didier Burkhalter’s working visit to Paris on Thursday, the French president, François Hollande, accepted the Federal Council’s invitation to pay a state visit to Switzerland. The visit will take place next year. During their discussions, the two presidents addressed the status of Basel-Mulhouse airport. Mr Burkhalter and Mr Hollande stressed the importance of the airport’s binational character for the region as a whole.

Federal Council approves the Horizon 2020 package

22.10.2014 — DEA
In its meeting today, the Federal Council approved the agreement on Switzerland’s participation in the Horizon 2020 research programme. The agreement covers Switzerland’s partial association to the programme between 15 September 2014 and 31 December 2016. It allows researchers from Switzerland to take full part in selected parts of Horizon 2020 and to apply for the sought-after grants provided by the European Research Council. The agreement provides for Switzerland’s full association to Horizon 2020 between 2017 and 2020, provided a solution can be found to the issue of the free movement of persons.

Automatic exchange of information in tax matters: Federal Council adopts negotiation mandates with partner states

08.10.2014 — DEA
During its meeting today, the Federal Council adopted definitive negotiation mandates for introducing the new global standard for the automatic exchange of information in tax matters with partner states. The competent parliamentary committees and the cantons were consulted on the mandates in recent months. Negotiations with partner states should commence shortly.

German Chancellor Merkel assures President of the Swiss Confederation Burkhalter that Germany will play a constructive part in the dialogue on EU policy

18.02.2014 — DEA
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr Didier Burkhalter, informed German Chancellor Angela Merkel today about the outcome of the popular vote on the mass immigration initiative and the next steps to be taken by the Federal Council to implement the new constitutional provision on immigration. Ms Merkel assured Mr Burkhalter that Germany would play a constructive part in the aspects of the discussions that touch on EU policy. The meeting with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier centred on the situation in Ukraine and the possible role of the OSCE, which is chaired by Switzerland in 2014, in defusing the crisis. Mr Burkhalter will travel from Berlin to Paris, where he will meet with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius this evening.

Fourth Round of Swiss-EU Negotiations on Linking of Emissions Trading Systems

09.07.2013 — DEA
The fourth round of negotiations between Switzerland and the European Union on the linking of their respective CO2 emissions trading systems was held in Zurich on 8 July 2013. Further progress was made at the negotiations. The aim of completing the technical negotiations by the end of the year was corroborated.