AVIS28: a report to outline Switzerland's future foreign policy

02.07.2019 — Press release EDA
The AVIS28 Working Group set up by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in October 2018 submitted its report in Bern today. Entitled 'Switzerland in the world in 2028', the document analyses the challenges ahead and proposes a range of options for adapting Swiss foreign policy instruments to future realities. To consolidate Switzerland's position in an increasingly unstable world, the working group recommends developing a whole-of-Switzerland approach involving all national stakeholders, as well as a more targeted, better interconnected and more reactive foreign policy.

FDF activates protective measure to protect stock exchange infrastructure

27.06.2019 — Press release DEA
As announced last Monday, 24 June 2019, the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) updated the list of jurisdictions that restrict their market participants in trading equity securities of companies with registered office in Switzerland today, Thursday, 27 June 2019. The new list will apply from Monday, 1 July 2019. The FDF is thereby activating the measure to protect the Swiss stock exchange infrastructure.

FDF prepared to activate measure to protect Swiss stock exchange infrastructure

24.06.2019 — Press release DEA
The stock market equivalence granted by the European Commission to Switzerland for a limited period expires at the end of June. In order to create clarity for market participants, today the Federal Department of Finance FDF is notifying that it will activate the measure to protect the Swiss stock exchange infrastructure in the event of non-extension.

Record efficiency for a gas engine

20.06.2019 — Press release DEA
At the end of May, the final meeting of the "Horizon 2020" project "GasOn" with the EU Commission took place in Brussels. The aim of this EU project was the further development of gas engines for cars and vans. Around 20 partners participated, including ETH Zurich and Empa as well as four European automobile manufacturers and well-known suppliers. Gas-powered vehicles generally emit less pollutants than petrol or diesel cars. They are likely to gain importance in the future due to their possibility of being powered by renewable energy.

Institutional agreement Switzerland-EU: Federal Council to demand clarifications

07.06.2019 — Press release DEA
The Federal Council intends to consolidate and further develop the bilateral approach, the cornerstone of relations between Switzerland and the EU. This also requires the search for solutions to the institutional issues. At its meeting of 7 June 2019, it approved the report on the consultations on the institutional agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) and decided to demand clarifications. The Federal Council also underlined that maintaining the current level of wage protection was a key Swiss demand and that the social partners and the cantons would be closely involved in the next steps of the process.

ESA and EU member states highlight the importance of the space sector

28.05.2019 — Press release DEA
The State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, Martina Hirayama, participated to the ‘Space Council’ of ESA and EU member states in Brussels today. A joint resolution entitled ‘Space as an Enabler’ was adopted, emphasising the role of space as a significant socio-economic tool, its importance in expanding the frontiers of knowledge, and its contribution to the development and implementation of policy in various sectors.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis discusses multilateral cooperation and security in Europe with Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajčák

16.05.2019 — Press release DEA
Mr Cassis, who is the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), has met Mr Lajčák in Bratislava during a working visit to Slovakia. Both foreign ministers highlighted the positive development of their countries bilateral ties and discussed the institutional agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU). Talks concerning multilateral cooperation focused on security in Europe and the work of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Mr Lajčák is the current Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE. Slovakia also currently holds the presidency of the Visegrad Group (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland) and will soon assume the chairmanship of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Brexit: Federal Council opens consultation proceedings on trade agreement between Switzerland and the UK

15.05.2019 — Press release DEA
On 15 May the Federal Council opened consultation proceedings on the trade agreement with the United Kingdom and on an additional agreement extending the provisions of the trade agreement to the Principality of Liechtenstein. The agreements are intended to ensure to a large extent the continuation of existing trade relations after the UK’s departure from the European Union.

President Ueli Maurer travels to Poland to mark anniversary of diplomatic relations

14.05.2019 — Press release DEA
Switzerland and the Republic of Poland, which was restored after the First World War, established diplomatic relations 100 years ago. To mark the occasion, President Ueli Maurer travelled to Warsaw on Tuesday, 14 May, where he was received by Polish President Andrzej Duda.

European Innovation Council funding an interesting prospect for Swiss research institutions and businesses

25.04.2019 — Press release DEA
In Europe research results should be turned into marketable innovations more quickly. As part of its current Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (Horizon 2020; 2014-2020), to which Switzerland is associated, the European Union has taken the decision to enhance the funding opportunities available through the European Innovation Council. A high-level delegation from the European Commission today presented the EIC’s funding instruments at an information event in Bern, and set out how Swiss research institutions and businesses can benefit, especially SMEs.

Temporary agreement to safeguard access to the labour market even in the event of a ’no-deal’ Brexit

17.04.2019 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 17 April, the Federal Council approved a temporary agreement with the United Kingdom on access to the Swiss labour market. The agreement will apply in the event of the UK’s disorderly departure from the EU. For a limited transition period, it would introduce simplified requirements for working in either country. In this way, the Federal Council plans to safeguard the interests of the Swiss economy with regard to the recruitment of British workers, and the ability of Swiss nationals to access the UK labour market.

State Secretary Hirayama at an informal EU ministerial meeting on research and innovation

02.04.2019 — Press release DEA
On 2 and 3 April State Secretary Martina Hirayama, Director of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI, will be attending an informal meeting in Bucharest (Romania) of ministers of EU member states responsible for research and innovation. At this event, which takes place twice yearly, ministers will discuss how the EU can promote excellence and at the same time encourage broad participation in research and innovation.

Federal Council invokes safeguard clause for EU-17 and EU-8 states (last modification, the 24.04.2013)

24.04.2013 — 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.

IMF supports Switzerland’s stability-oriented economic policy

18.03.2013 — Press release DEA

Bern, 18.03.2013 - In its preliminary findings, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) acknowledged Switzerland's stability-oriented fiscal and monetary policy. It is expecting growth to pick up only slightly this year. The IMF continues to see risks for Switzerland in developments in the euro area as well as in the fiscal policy of major advanced countries. It recommended that the SNB should maintain the exchange rate floor of CHF 1.20 per euro. It welcomed the advances made in financial sector regulation. Furthermore, the IMF supports the measures introduced since mid-2012 to stem the risks in the mortgage and real estate market.

Cross-border Commuter Statistics for 4th quarter 2012 – Continued increase in cross-border commuters

04.03.2013 — Press release DEA

Neuchâtel, According to the Cross-border Commuter Statistics of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the number of foreign cross-border commuters working in Switzerland rose by 4.8% last year. In the Lake Geneva region and in Northwestern Switzerland, about one in ten employed persons is a cross-border commuter; in Ticino, the figure is one in four. Comparing the numbers over a five-year period, there has been an above-average increase among office workers, unskilled workers and managers.

Continuing successful participation in EU Framework Programmes

27.02.2013 — Press release DEA

Berne, The Federal Council has referred to parliament two dispatches on funding for Swiss participation in the EU Framework Programmes in the areas of Research and Innovation on the one hand, and education, training, youth and sport on the other. The former is intended to give researchers in Switzerland continued access to the second most significant source of public funding and to the European research network. The second dispatch is designed to continue the mobility opportunities of students in education, training and on youth and sport courses. The total budget set in both dispatches is approximately 4.7 billion Swiss francs (including reserves) for the years 2014 to 2020. Their approval by parliament will allow the Federal Council to conduct negotiations with the EU on renewing both bilateral agreements.

Swiss project achieves FET Flagship status

28.01.2013 — Press release DEA

Bern, In the drive to secure EU research funding, Switzerland has achieved a leading position in the area of Future and Emerging Technologies. For Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, this confirms the strength of the Swiss education, research and innovation model. Research groups from both of Switzerland’s federal institutes of technology were involved in five (as project leaders in three) of the six FET Flagship project proposals that reached the final phase of the selection process. The EPFL’s “Human Brain Project” was one of the two projects chosen. Starting in 2013, this project will receive substantial FP7 and FP8 funding over a ten-year period.

Statistik 2012: Anstieg der Asylgesuche – Zunahme der Erledigungen und Ausreisen

22.01.2013 — Press release DEA

Bern - Im Jahr 2012 wurden 28 631 Asylgesuche in der Schweiz eingereicht, was einer Zunahme um 27 % gegenüber 2011 entspricht. Es wurden mehr Asylgesuche erledigt, wobei die erstinstanzlichen Erledigungen um 28 % zunahmen. Auch bei den Ausreisen war ein deutlicher Anstieg zu verzeichnen: Die kontrollierten Ausreisen auf freiwilliger Basis nahmen um 84 % zu, die Rückführungen in die Herkunfts- und Drittländer sowie in die Dublin-Staaten um 22 %.

Bilateral relations at the heart of foreign economic policy

09.01.2013 — Press release DEA

Bern, 09.01.2013 - On 9 January 2013 the Federal Council approved the 2012 Foreign Economic Policy Report. The report's main topic focusing on the importance of border regions from a business location and foreign economic policy perspective reaffirms the intention of the Federal Council to strengthen cross-border cooperation in border regions. The Federal Council regards such cooperation as vital to good relations both with Switzerland's neighbouring states and the European Union. Further progress has been made on free trade agreements with non-EU countries. In the year under review, issues relating to sustainability and raw materials continued to assume greater importance in foreign economic policy. Moreover, the strategic focus and financial basis for international development cooperation were confirmed.

Federal Council approves the 2012 Foreign Policy Report

09.01.2013 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 9 January 2013, the Federal Council approved the 2012 Foreign Policy Report. The report provides an overview on all aspects of Swiss foreign policy and gives an account of Switzerland’s most important foreign policy activities in 2012. It is structured to address the Federal Council’s foreign policy strategy for the period 2012-2015. In addition, it deals with the priority question of Switzerland’s relations with its neighbouring states.

Emissions trading scheme: acquisition of aviation data in 2018

02.06.2017 — DEA
The integration of greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation sector into the emissions trading scheme (ETS) is a necessary step in order to link the Swiss and European schemes. At its session on 2 June 2017 the Federal Council approved the Ordinance governing the acquisition and reporting of data from the aviation sector. In line with the intention of the European Union, it is only domestic flights in Switzerland or flights from Switzerland to member states of the European Economic Area (EEA) that are concerned.

Official working visit to Brussels by Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann

30.03.2017 — DEA
On 30 March Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, the head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), met European Commission Vice President Andrus Ansip, who is responsible for the digital single market, and the Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmström. The main themes included cooperation in the field of digitalisation and bilateral trade relations, particularly updating the existing bilateral agreements.

Withholding tax agreement with United Kingdom to be terminated

14.11.2016 — DEA
The withholding tax agreement between Switzerland and the United Kingdom 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 14 November 2016, Switzerland and the United Kingdom signed a corresponding agreement in London to ensure a smooth transition between the two models.

Withdrawal of Switzerland’s membership application to the EU - EU's reply

26.10.2016 — Article DEA

EU's reply letter of the 19.10.2016 (PDF, 1 Page, 110.9 kB)

Swiss Government's letter of the 27.7.2016 (in French) (PDF, 1 Page, 216.6 kB)

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).

Withdrawal of Switzerland’s membership application to the EU

27.07.2016 — Article DEA

Swiss Government's letter of the 27.7.2016 (in French) (PDF, 1 Page, 216.6 kB)

Federal Council adopts dispatch on automatic exchange of tax information with eight states and territories

06.07.2016 — DEA
Today, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the introduction of the automatic exchange of financial account information with Iceland, Norway, Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man, Japan, Canada and the Republic of Korea, and submitted it to Parliament for approval. The proposal met with widespread approval in the consultation.

Federal Council extends transitional periods for financial market infrastructures

29.06.2016 — DEA
During its meeting today, the Federal Council adjusted the Financial Market Infrastructure Ordinance. The transitional periods for financial market infrastructures were extended by a year in line with developments in the EU.

United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union

24.06.2016 — Article DEA

The electorate of the United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union in a referendum. The current regulations regarding Swiss citizens and companies will remain valid for the time being. A list of answers to frequently asked questions is available on the website of the DEA.

• FAQ Brexit
• Press Release FDFA: Brexit: FDFA Helpline offers advice for Swiss citizens

Everything ready for the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel

01.06.2016 — DEA
With the gathering this morning of the one thousand randomly selected representatives of the public for the first trips through the Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT), the opening festivities for the world's longest railway tunnel have begun. For the festival involving half a dozen heads of state and government, everything is ready. More than 2,000 individuals from the army, police, federal government, Swiss Federal Railways, AlpTransit Gotthard (ATG) and private companies are in action. In addition, 300 media professionals have been accredited from around 20 nations, including the USA, Canada, China, Japan, Kuwait and Chile as well as Switzerland's neighbouring countries.

Meeting of transport ministers in Lugano

31.05.2016 — DEA
Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard met the transport ministers of the Alpine countries today as part of the Zurich Process. The conference was held in Lugano this year to mark the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel. Transport ministers from the Alpine countries meet regularly to discuss issues of transport safety as well as the modal shift policy. The presidency passed from Slovenian infrastructure minister, Peter Gašperšič, to his Italian colleague Graziano Delrio.

Switzerland to support the reform of the civilian security sector in Mali and Ukraine

13.04.2016 — DEA
Today, Switzerland and the European Union (EU) have signed two agreements on Switzerland's participation in EUCAP Sahel Mali, the EU's civilian mission for the reform of the security sector in Mali, and in EUAM Ukraine, the EU advisory mission for civilian security sector reform in Ukraine. These two agreements form the basis for the secondment of Swiss civilian experts to these missions.