Switzerland–EU: Consultations on free movement of persons to intensify

21.12.2015 — Press release DEA

Bern - President Simonetta Sommaruga met European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and President of the Council Jean Asselborn for a working meeting in Brussels on Monday. The three agreed to continue and intensify consultations on the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. Both sides aim to reach a mutually acceptable solution that complies with both the Swiss Constitution and the Agreement on Free Movement.

Switzerland to strengthen its partnership with Austria at the consular level

03.12.2015 — Press release DEA
Didier Burkhalter, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), met on Thursday with Sebastian Kurz, Austria's Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the margins of the 22nd OSCE Ministerial Council meeting held in Belgrade on 3 and 4 December. They signed a new consular agreement between Switzerland and Austria that will allow the two countries to step up their cooperation at various levels. In addition, Mr Burkhalter and Mr Kurz discussed a number of bilateral and international issues, including security in Europe and the Middle East, the migration crisis and relations between Switzerland and the European Union (EU).

Towards a single charger for mobile telephones

25.11.2015 — Press release DEA

Bern - From summer 2017, all mobile telephones sold on the Swiss market will be compatible with a universal charger. The Federal Council today accepted the revision of two ordinances on telecommunications and electrical equipment. It is a question of harmonising the technical requirements in Switzerland with those of the European Union.

Federal Council adopts dispatch on automatic exchange of information in tax matters between Switzerland and EU

25.11.2015 — Press release DEA
Today, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the agreement regarding the automatic exchange of information (AEOI) in tax matters with the EU and submitted it to Parliament for approval. The agreement was the subject of a consultation procedure from 27 May 2015 to 17 September 2015. Most of the participants welcomed the proposal.

Swiss Labour Force Survey and its derivative statistics in 3rd quarter 2015: labour supply – 1.1% increase in number of employed persons; unemployment rate based on ILO definition at 4.9%

12.11.2015 — Press release DEA

Neuchâtel, According to figures from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the number of employed persons in Switzerland rose by 1.1% between the 3rd quarter 2014 and the 3rd quarter 2015. During the same period, the unemployment rate as defined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) increased slightly in Switzerland from 4.8% to 4.9%. The EU's unemployment rate based on the ILO definition decreased from 9.8% to 9.0%.

Federal Councillor Schneider-Ammann on working visit to meet British Minister of State for Trade and Investment

02.11.2015 — Press release DEA

Bern, Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, the head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), travelled to London on 2 November for a working visit where he met the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Lord Maude, for talks on reducing bureaucracy, the economic situation of both countries and of Europe, as well as bilateral economic relations. Relations between The relations of both states with the European Union were also a topic of discussion. In addition, the head of the EAER used the visit to London as an opportunity to officially launch a programme for start-ups and discuss European issues with a number of think tank representatives.

President Grybauskaité of Lithuania on official visit to Switzerland

06.10.2015 — Press release DEA

Bern - On Tuesday, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, received the President of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaité, for an official visit to Switzerland. The talks focused on bilateral relations and European policy (for Switzerland in particular on progress with implementing the article on immigration in the Federal Constitution), on the situation in Ukraine and the refugee crisis in Europe. Switzerland and Lithuania have friendly relations and have become increasingly close in recent years.

New mandatory international OECD standards with regard to corporate taxation, including for Switzerland

05.10.2015 — Press release DEA
Switzerland supports international efforts to achieve greater transparency and a level playing field with regard to the taxation of multinationals. As a member of the OECD, it actively participated in the base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project, the final outcomes of which were published today. The Federal Council has instructed the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) to deliver analyses and proposals for implementing the outcomes.

Students at Swiss higher education institutions 2013: Analysis report – 17% higher education students from abroad

29.09.2015 — Press release DEA

Neuchâtel - The proportion of international students at Swiss higher education institutions is 17%. With 19%, the universities show a higher percentage than the universities of applied science (14%) and the universities of teacher education (7%). The majority of these students come from neighbouring countries and are more dependent on financial support from their families than domestic students. The Federal Statistical Office's new publication examines these and many other issues.

Population change in Switzerland in 2014 – Net migration declined slightly in comparison with 2013

29.09.2015 — Press release DEA

Neuchâtel - Switzerland's population grew by 1.2% in 2014. This growth is due to positive net migration, an increase in births and a decrease in deaths. All cantons were affected by this trend. The increase in the number of Swiss nationals continues to be mainly due to naturalisations. These are the final results of the population and households statistics from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Sciex programme: Research training placements in Switzerland spur scientific and economic development in eastern Europe

25.09.2015 — Press release EDA
A ceremony to mark the end of the Scientific Exchange Programme between the New Member States and Switzerland (Sciex), which has offered over 500 researchers from ten new EU member states research training placements in Switzerland since it was launched in 2009, was held today at ETH Zurich. Part of Switzerland’s contribution to the enlarged EU was allocated to fund the fellowship programme in recognition of the fact that enhancing the capacity of scientists in central and eastern Europe to conduct research is a critical factor in the region's economic development.

Migration, Europe and commitment in fragile states: Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter in political talks in Stockholm

15.09.2015 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter was in Stockholm today meeting with Sweden's Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström and Minister for International Development Cooperation Isabella Lövin. The bilateral talks centred on the refugee problem, Switzerland's policy regarding the European Union (EU), aspects of development cooperation and various bilateral issues.

Switzerland and EU member states sign understanding on business taxation

14.10.2014 — Press release DEA
Today in Luxembourg, Federal Councillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf and representatives of the 28 EU member states signed a mutual understanding in the form of a joint statement on business taxation, thereby putting an end to a controversy which has put a strain on relations between Switzerland and the EU for almost ten years. The signing took place on the fringes of the joint meeting of the economics and finance ministers of the EU and their counterparts from the EFTA countries.

President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter receives Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev

13.10.2014 — Press release DEA
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Bukhalter, received the President of Bulgaria, Rosen Plevneliev, on Monday 13 October 2014 during the latter’s official visit to Switzerland. Talks focused on relations and cooperation between Switzerland and Bulgaria, notably in the field of vocational education and training. The meeting, also attended by Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga, included discussions on Swiss policy on Europe, Switzerland's contribution to EU enlargement and various topical international issues, especially those related to the OSCE, which Switzerland is chairing in 2014.

Update of the agreement with the EU on the simplification of customs formalities and on customs security measures

10.10.2014 — Press release DEA
Today, the chairperson of the joint committee signed decree no. 1/2014 on the amendment of Annex I to the agreement between Switzerland and the EU on the simplification of customs formalities and on customs security measures. The decree was approved by the Federal Council on 8 October 2014 and entered into force the day after it was signed.

Optimierung Flankierende Massnahmen: Schulung für Vollzugsorgane

09.10.2014 — Press release DEA
Am 9. Oktober 2014 fand in Gordola im Kanton Tessin eine Schulung für Vollzugsorgane der Flankierenden Massnahmen (FlaM) statt. Bundesrat Johann N. Schneider-Ammann sicherte den Vollzugsorganen im Rahmen der Veranstaltung Unterstützung zu. Regierungsrat Paolo Beltraminelli überbrachte die Grussworte der Tessiner Regierung.

Unofficial talks between State Secretary Mauro Dell’Ambrogio and Robert-Jan Smits, Director-General for Research at the European Commission

11.07.2014 — Press release EDA
Unofficial talks regarding Switzerland's participation in the Horizon 2020 research programme took place on the fringes of a visit by the European Commission's Director-General for Research and Innovation, Robert-Jan Smits, to CERN in Geneva on 10 July. No official proposal has been made by the European Commission on Switzerland's renewed participation.

Switzerland takes part in EU border control mission EUBAM Libya

04.07.2014 — Press release EDA
Switzerland and the European Union (EU) have today signed an agreement on Switzerland's participation in the European Union Border Assistance Mission in Libya (EUBAM Libya). This agreement provides the basis for deploying a Swiss civilian border control specialist to Libya on a one-year mission.

The Federal Council adopts a report on the European Social Charter

02.07.2014 — Press release EDA
On 2 July 2014, the Federal Council adopted a report on the revised European Social Charter, following a postulate tabled by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Council of States entitled: «Compatibility of the revised European Social Charter with the Swiss legal order». The report concludes that from a legal perspective it would currently be possible for Switzerland to satisfy the minimum conditions for ratification. The Federal Council will comment on the principle of ratifying the charter only at the next stage, once Parliament has taken note of the report.

Business taxation: Switzerland and EU initial mutual understanding to end talks

01.07.2014 — Press release EDA
Today in Bern, the heads of delegation of Switzerland and the European Union (EU) initialled a mutual understanding on business taxation. State Secretary Jacques de Watteville and his EU counterpart Heinz Zourek, Director General of the European Commission's Taxation and Customs Union Directorate-General, agreed on its final wording. The understanding brings an end to a dispute that has strained relations between the two parties for almost a decade.

Horizon 2020: Support for researchers in Switzerland

27.06.2014 — Press release DEA
Today the Federal Council approved interim measures in response to the unresolved situation regarding Switzerland’s association to Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. The measures are designed to support researchers in Switzerland who are involved in projects and programmes financed under Horizon 2020 and who will no longer receive any funding from Brussels. The Federal Council’s stated aim remains for Switzerland to achieve full association to Horizon 2020 by the end of the year, if possible.

Horizon 2020: Support for researchers in Switzerland

27.06.2014 — Press release EDA
Today the Federal Council approved interim measures in response to the unresolved situation regarding Switzerland’s association to Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. The measures are designed to support researchers in Switzerland who are involved in projects and programmes financed under Horizon 2020 and who will no longer receive any funding from Brussels. The Federal Council’s stated aim remains for Switzerland to achieve full association to Horizon 2020 by the end of the year, if possible.

Federal Council presents concept for implementing the new article on immigration

20.06.2014 — Press release DEA
On Friday, the Federal Council approved the concept for implementing the new article of the Federal Constitution on immigration. The concept outlines how the Federal Council will set the quantitative limits and quotas for controlling migration to Switzerland from February 2017. The Federal Council will base its decision not only on the needs reported by the cantons, but also on the analyses of an advisory committee. Social partners will also be consulted. Quotas will apply to all types of permit valid for four months or more. To meet the needs of the labour market, it is planned to foster and exploit the potential of the workforce already available in Switzerland. The proposals are set out in the Federal Council's concept for implementing the new provisions of the Constitution on immigration. In the concept, which it approved on Friday, the Federal Council lays down important benchmarks for the draft legislation due to follow at the end of year.

Business taxation dialogue with EU nearing completion

20.06.2014 — Press release DEA
During its meeting today, the Federal Council gave the go-ahead for the initialling of a mutual understanding between Switzerland and the EU on business taxation. On the EU side, the Economic and Financial Affairs Council approved this understanding today. The business taxation dialogue between Switzerland and the EU is thus nearing completion.

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.