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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30.10.2013
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Press release
DEA
Bern, 30.10.2013 - At its meeting today, the Federal Council took note of the results of the consultation on the third series of corporate tax reforms interim report. What is expressed in the opinions is that the approach is supported by all of the cantons and the majority of the associations consulted. The project organisation for the third series of corporate tax reforms will now draw up a final report based on these results and will submit its proposals on the further course of action to the Federal Council.
23.10.2013
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Press release
DEA
The information was corrected or amended after publication. (31.03.2014)
Bern, 23.10.2013 - The Federal Council has issued a dispatch on the federal popular initiative entitled ‘Stop overpopulation – safeguard our natural environment’. Parliament is requested to put the initiative to the vote among the electorate and cantons, with the recommendation to reject the proposal. Furthermore, no direct counter-proposal to the initiative is made. When it presented its discussion paper on 29 May 2013, the Federal Council was already of the opinion that the objectives and content of the initiative could not be reconciled either with Switzerland’s current immigration policy nor with Swiss practice in international development cooperation.
22.10.2013
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Press release
DEA
Bern - Ende August 2013 lebten insgesamt 1 864 699 Ausländerinnen und Ausländer in der Schweiz. Das sind 23,2 Prozent der gesamten Wohnbevölkerung. Im Vergleich zum Vorjahr sind dies 60 148 Personen (+3,3%) mehr. Die meisten von ihnen stammen aus den EU-27/EFTA-Staaten (1 230 513, 66%). 67 668 Ausländerinnen und Ausländer sind zwischen 1. September 2012 und 31. August 2013 aus der Schweiz ausgewandert (in der gleichen Zeitspanne 2012: 67 757).
17.10.2013
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Press release
DEA
Bern, 17.10.2013 - During an official working visit to Brussels on 16 and 17 October 2013, Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER, met European Commissioners László Andor (Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion) and Karel De Gucht (Trade). Discussions focussed on the issues of the free movement of persons and economic relations.
21.08.2013
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Press release
DEA
Last June the Federal Council instructed the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) to draw up draft terms of reference for negotiations with the European Union on institutional matters. Today the Federal Council adopted the draft and sent it to the Foreign Affairs Committees and the cantons. The social partners are being informed.
09.07.2013
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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.
26.06.2013
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Press release
DEA
Bern, The Federal Council wants to consolidate the bilateral approach to its relations with the European Union. To achieve this, the institutional structure of Swiss-EU relations in the area of market access must be renewed. For this reason, the Federal Council has decided to pursue a medium-term strategy and has appointed the Federal Department for Foreign Affairs (FDFA) to create a draft negotiation mandate by the time the Federal Council resumes work after the summer recess.
17.06.2013
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Press release
DEA
Bern, Today in Bern, Federal Councillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf and EU Commissioner Algirdas Šemeta held talks on unresolved tax issues. In the area of business taxation, Switzerland reaffirmed its willingness to adjust certain tax regimes provided the EU dispenses with defensive measures against Switzerland. Regarding the automatic exchange of information, Finance Minister Widmer-Schlumpf stressed the importance of a global standard.
12.06.2013
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Press release
DEA
Two decisions were adopted at the 4th meeting of the Switzerland/European Union Statistical Committee (Joint Committee) which took place in Geneva. One replaces Annex A of the bilateral agreement in the field of statistics with the European Union (EU) whereas the second approves the specific Switzerland/EU annual statistical programme for 2013. These decisions were approved by the Federal Council and enter into force immediately.
11.06.2013
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Press release
DEA
Bern, Economic forecasts from the Federal Government’s Expert Group – Summer 2013* - Despite the ongoing recession in the Euro zone, the Swiss economy continued to perform relatively well in the beginning of 2013. There is however still an imbalance between a robust domestic demand and subdued exports. This pattern of economic activity is likely to continue during the further course of the year. Growth dynamic should remain moderate overall and unemployment should continue to rise slightly. The Expert Group essentially reaffirms in June its assessment of a slow economic growth in 2013, with a GDP increase of 1.4%, a forecast mostly unchanged from last March. For 2014 it expects a broadly based economic recovery, extending to exports and the labour market (GDP-forecast: +2.1%). This does however assume a recovery in the global economy and, in particular, that the Euro zone will finally move out of recession, which is currently still surrounded by considerable uncertainty.
06.06.2013
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Press release
DEA
This year’s meeting of the Joint Committee between Switzerland and the EU in the areas of research and Euratom that took place in Brussels today provided an opportunity for mutual exchange on the implementation of existing agreements and for informal exchanges with regard to “Horizon 2020”, the new EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and to Euratom’s next programme. These two programmes are scheduled to begin on 1 January 2014. The issue of Swiss participation is currently being discussed in the Federal Assembly.
24.04.2013
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Press release
DEA
In the coming 12 months, workers from EU states will have only restricted access to the Swiss labour market. The Federal Council decided today to invoke the safeguard clause contained in the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. The quotas apply to category B residence permits for persons from EU-8 states, and, provided the requirements are met by the end of May, from EU-17 states.
