Federal Council initiates consultation on revision of Tax Administrative Assistance Act

02.09.2015 — Press release Europa
Today, the Federal Council initiated the consultation proceedings on the revision of the Tax Administrative Assistance Act, which provides for an easing of Swiss practices with regard to stolen data. It should now be possible to respond to requests if a foreign country has obtained the stolen data via normal administrative assistance channels or from public sources. However, administrative assistance is still not possible if a country has actively acquired the stolen data outside of administrative assistance proceedings. The proposed legislative amendment will clarify the legal situation while also taking account of international developments.

Ambassadors and International Network Conference in the presence of German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier

17.08.2015 — Press release EDA
On Monday, 17 August 2015, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter opened the Ambassadors and International Network Conference in Bern, with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in attendance as guest speaker. The theme of this year’s four-day conference is “Switzerland and the world – excellence in the service of solidarity”. After the opening of the conference on Monday, Mr Burkhalter and his German counterpart met for bilateral talks. Mr Steinmeier then paid the President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, a courtesy visit.

Ambassadors and International Network Conference in the presence of German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier

17.08.2015 — Press release EDA
On Monday, 17 August 2015, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter opened the Ambassadors and International Network Conference in Bern, with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in attendance as guest speaker. The theme of this year’s four-day conference is “Switzerland and the world – excellence in the service of solidarity”. After the opening of the conference on Monday, Mr Burkhalter and his German counterpart met for bilateral talks. Mr Steinmeier then paid the President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, a courtesy visit.

EU and Swiss regulators sign confidentiality arrangement

22.07.2015 — Article Europa

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

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 Europa
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.

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

30.06.2015 — Europa
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.

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.

Federal Council initiates consultation on revision of Tax Administrative Assistance Act

02.09.2015 — Press release Europa
Today, the Federal Council initiated the consultation proceedings on the revision of the Tax Administrative Assistance Act, which provides for an easing of Swiss practices with regard to stolen data. It should now be possible to respond to requests if a foreign country has obtained the stolen data via normal administrative assistance channels or from public sources. However, administrative assistance is still not possible if a country has actively acquired the stolen data outside of administrative assistance proceedings. The proposed legislative amendment will clarify the legal situation while also taking account of international developments.

Ambassadors and International Network Conference in the presence of German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier

17.08.2015 — Press release EDA
On Monday, 17 August 2015, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter opened the Ambassadors and International Network Conference in Bern, with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in attendance as guest speaker. The theme of this year’s four-day conference is “Switzerland and the world – excellence in the service of solidarity”. After the opening of the conference on Monday, Mr Burkhalter and his German counterpart met for bilateral talks. Mr Steinmeier then paid the President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, a courtesy visit.

Ambassadors and International Network Conference in the presence of German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier

17.08.2015 — Press release EDA
On Monday, 17 August 2015, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter opened the Ambassadors and International Network Conference in Bern, with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in attendance as guest speaker. The theme of this year’s four-day conference is “Switzerland and the world – excellence in the service of solidarity”. After the opening of the conference on Monday, Mr Burkhalter and his German counterpart met for bilateral talks. Mr Steinmeier then paid the President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, a courtesy visit.

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 Europa
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 Europa
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 Europa
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.

EU and Swiss regulators sign confidentiality arrangement

22.07.2015 — Article Europa

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 — Europa
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 Europa

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 — Europa
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 — Europa
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 — Europa
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 — Europa
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 — Europa
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 — Europa
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.