Programme of the Federal Councillors attending the WEF Annual Meeting 2015

20.01.2015 — Press release DEA
The Federal Council believes that the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting is of great importance to Davos and to Switzerland. Each year, this event brings together leaders from the worlds of business and government. It serves as a venue for an informal exchange of opinions on major topical issues. In view of the current economic and political challenges, the opportunity for such direct contact among decision-makers from government, business and civil society is extremely valuable.

Federal Council approves the 2014 Foreign Policy Report

14.01.2015 — Press release DEA
The Federal Council approved the 2014 Foreign Policy Report at its meeting on 14 January 2015. The report provides an overview of Swiss foreign policy and gives an account of Switzerland's most important foreign policy activities in 2014. It contains a chapter focusing on Switzerland's OSCE chairmanship in 2014.

Impact of Global Value Added Chains on Switzerland

14.01.2015 — Press release DEA
Today, the Federal Council adopted the 2014 Foreign Economic Policy Report. The report’s feature topic is the impact of global value added chains on the Swiss economy. In the year under review, the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement was adopted and a new free trade agreement between Switzerland and China, in particular, entered into force. Switzerland continued cooperation with developing countries promoting sustainable economic development and strengthening the administrative capacity of governmental players

Federal Council initiates two consultations on international exchange of information in tax matters

14.01.2015 — Press release DEA
During its meeting today, the Federal Council launched two consultations on the international exchange of information in tax matters, which should also make the automatic exchange of information (AEOI) possible. One bill concerns the OECD/Council of Europe administrative assistance convention signed by Switzerland in 2013. The other bill concerns Switzerland's participation in the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement and the AEOI implementing act. The issue of the countries with which Switzerland should establish the automatic exchange of information will be presented to Parliament separately at a later stage.

Federal Council opens consultation on the continuation of the Federal Act on Cooperation with the States of Eastern Europe

17.12.2014 — Press release DEA
The Federal Council has opened the consultation on the continuation of the Federal Act on Cooperation with the States of Eastern Europe (Eastern Europe Cooperation Act). The current act is still valid until the end of May 2017. A timely prolongation should enable the seamless continuation of cooperation with the countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. The consultation will last until 31 March 2015.

Direct democracy and foreign policy shape Switzerland's image in 2014

15.12.2014 — Press release DEA
Like the 9 February referendum on the mass immigration initiative, Switzerland's many popular votes in 2014 have consistently captured the attention of foreign media. There has also been extensive coverage of the international conferences that have been hosted in Geneva, as well as of Switzerland's Chairmanship of the OSCE. This coverage has given Switzerland's good offices and peacebuilding efforts a much higher profile. The Swiss financial sector continues to be subject to criticism, although there have been signs of improvement this year. In the sporting arena, Switzerland's image has benefited from the national football team's strong performance in Brazil, and the Swiss victory in the Davis Cup. Finally, Switzerland continues to enjoy considerable popularity, as demonstrated by its excellent rankings in international image indices.

Visegrad-Gipfel: Schweiz verstärkt Dialog und Zusammenarbeit mit der Slowakei, Tschechien, Polen und Ungarn (de)

09.12.2014 — Press release DEA
Bei seinem Treffen mit den Premierministern Robert Fico (Slowakei), Bohuslav Sobotka (Tschechien), Ewa Kopacz (Polen) und Viktor Orban (Ungarn) im Rahmen des Visegrad-Gipfels in Bratislava hat Bundespräsident Didier Burkhalter mit seinen Gesprächspartnern eine Erklärung verabschiedet, die einen regelmässigen Meinungsaustausch vorsieht und die Entwicklung gemeinsamer Initiativen etwa in den Bereichen Bildung, Forschung oder wirtschaftlicher Zusammenarbeit fördern möchte. Bundespräsident Burkhalter nutzte seinen Aufenthalt in Bratislava ausserdem für bilaterale Gespräche mit dem slowakischen Präsidenten Andrej Kiska, Premierminister Robert Fico und Aussenminister Miroslav Lajcak.

End of commitment period for enlargement contribution to Bulgaria and Romania

08.12.2014 — Press release DEA
The commitment period of the enlargement contribution for Bulgaria and Romania, which joined the EU in 2007, ended on 7 December. In all, 13 thematic funds and 28 projects totalling CHF 257 million were approved. The Swiss commitment aims to eradicate social and economic disparities in the enlarged European Union (EU).

Federal Council takes note of final report of group of experts on "further development of financial market strategy"

05.12.2014 — Press release DEA
During its meeting today, the Federal Council took due note of the final report of the group of experts on the further development of the financial market strategy. It will now analyse the report and draw its conclusions. In the future, an advisory board comprised of representatives from academia, the private sector and authorities should assess the fundamental challenges and the future prospects for the financial centre, and submit recommendations to the Federal Council where necessary.

Meeting of the European Space Agency’s Council at Ministerial level

02.12.2014 — Press release DEA
Important decisions regarding the development of the next-generation of European launcher, Europe’s space exploration strategy and the evolution of ESA were taken at today’s European Space Agency Ministerial Council in Luxembourg. Switzerland is co-president of the Ministerial Council until 2016 and the next meeting will take place on Swiss territory. Today’s meeting was co-chaired by Mauro Dell’Ambrogio, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation

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.

UK’s withdrawal from the EU: bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU continue to apply

31.01.2020 — Press release DEA
The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union at midnight on 31 January 2020 will not change the relationship between Switzerland and the UK in the near future: the bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU will continue to apply to the UK until the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020 (which may be extended). Switzerland can use the transition period to continue to work out together with the UK their future relationship as part of the Swiss “Mind the Gap” strategy.

Federal Council delegation meets new EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Davos

20.01.2020 — Press release DEA
A delegation of the Federal Council led by President Simonetta Sommaruga today met with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Ms Sommaruga was accompanied at the meeting, which took place during the WEF Annual Meeting, by federal councillors Ignazio Cassis and Karin Keller-Sutter. Talks focused on the state of bilateral relations between Switzerland the EU, particularly with regard to the institutional agreement. They also discussed joint efforts to tackle climate change. Cooperation in the field of migration should be continued.

Switzerland's enlargement contribution to Bulgaria and Romania comes to a close

20.01.2020 — Press release EDA
Over the last ten years, Switzerland has provided CHF 257 million from its enlargement contribution to support projects in Bulgaria and Romania. The two countries joined the European Union (EU) in 2007. The contribution aimed to reduce economic and social disparities in Europe and within Bulgaria and Romania. The 93 projects, which came to a close in December 2019, have achieved good results. Switzerland's support contributes to greater stability in Europe, which is also in the country's interests.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg

16.01.2020 — Press release DEA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis today received his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg in Bern for his first official trip abroad. The two foreign ministers discussed bilateral relations, Switzerland's European policy and international affairs.

CHEOPS launched successfully – the search for a ‘twin Earth’ has begun!

18.12.2019 — Press release DEA
The CHEOPS mission is being jointly led by the European Space Agency ESA and Switzerland. Following the successful launch, and once routine tests of the satellite in orbit have been completed, operations are set to begin at the end of March 2020 and last around four years. The scientific community the world over is eagerly awaiting the data gathered on exoplanets, underlining the major importance of the contribution made by Swiss scientists.

State Secretary Roberto Balzaretti represents Switzerland at the ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Madrid

16.12.2019 — Press release EDA
Roberto Balzaretti, State Secretary and head of the Directorate for European Affairs (DEA) at the FDFA, represented Switzerland at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Madrid on 15 and 16 December 2019. As well as attending the plenary session, Switzerland sought to engage in bilateral exchanges with delegates from several European and Asian countries.

Federal Council initiates consultation on extended European border and coast guard

13.12.2019 — Press release DEA
During its meeting on 13 December 2019, the Federal Council initiated the consultation on the adoption and implementation of the revised EU regulation on the European Border and Coast Guard. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) will thus be given a more robust mandate to work with the national authorities to better protect the external borders.

Linking of emissions trading schemes: Agreement ratified by Switzerland and EU

09.12.2019 — Press release DEA
The Agreement on the linking of the Swiss and EU emissions trading schemes (ETS) has been ratified by the representatives of both parties and will come into force on 1 January 2020. Linking the Swiss ETS with that of the EU will be beneficial for both environmental policy and the economy. From 2020 onwards, companies in the Swiss ETS will be able to trade emission allowances in the larger EU emissions market. In addition, emissions from civil aviation will be included in the Swiss ETS, as is already the case in the EU. The linking of the two schemes marks the first ETS linking between states anywhere in the world.

Federal Council adopts dispatch on the agreement between Switzerland and the UK on citizens’ rights

06.12.2019 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 6 December, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the agreement guaranteeing the existing rights of Swiss and UK citizens after the withdrawal of the UK from the EU. The agreement is part of the Federal Council’s ’Mind the Gap’ strategy.

Adaptation of the bilateral agreement in the area of statistics with the European Union

02.12.2019 — Press release DEA
During its 5th meeting held at Luxembourg on 2 December 2019, the Swiss-EU statistics committee adopted a decision concerning the revision of Annex A of the bilateral agreement in the area of statistics. This revision, which results from a decision of the Federal Council from 22 May 2019, thus makes it possible to continue the good statistical collaboration between Switzerland and the EU. The new Annex A comes into force with immediate effect.

Croatia’s EU Council presidency the focus of President Maurer’s visit

29.11.2019 — Press release DEA
The President of the Swiss Confederation Ueli Maurer travelled to Croatia on Friday, 29 November 2019, to visit President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović and other leading Croatian politicians. In the first six months of 2020, Croatia will hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first time. The discussions held during the visit thus focused on European policy issues.

ESA Ministerial Council Meeting: Switzerland to participate in new programmes and play a leading role in the removal of space debris

28.11.2019 — Press release DEA
On 27 and 28 November 2019, State Secretary Martina Hirayama attended the European Space Agency’s ESA Ministerial Council meeting in Seville (“Space 19+”). At this meeting, which brought together the ministers in charge of space affairs from the 22 ESA Member States, the Council conferred on ongoing programmes, new initiatives, and agreed on the Agency’s budget for the next three years.

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.