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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15.05.2020
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Press release
DEA
Bern-Wabern, 15.05.2020 - The borders between Switzerland, Germany and Austria are to open again for unmarried couples in long-term cross-border relationships, and for those wishing to visit relatives or attend important family events. Restrictions will also be lifted for people who own a property for personal use, tend allotments, or maintain agricultural or hunting land or woodland. People needing to take care of animals may also cross the border.
13.05.2020
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DEA
Switzerland plans to open all borders with Germany, Austria and France on 15 June 2020, if the epidemiological situation allows. Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter has reached agreement on this move following talks with the interior ministers of these three neighbouring countries. She advised the Federal Council of the agreement at its meeting on 13 May 2020.
29.04.2020
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Press release
DEA
Der Bundesrat hat entschieden, dass am 27. September 2020 über fünf eidgenössische Vorlagen abgestimmt werden soll: die Begrenzungsinitiative, das Jagdgesetz, die Steuerabzüge für Kinder, den Vaterschaftsurlaub und die Beschaffung neuer Kampfflugzeuge. Zudem hat er entschieden, den geltenden Fristenstillstand für eidgenössische Volksbegehren nicht über den 31. Mai hinaus zu verlängern.
29.04.2020
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Press release
DEA
The Federal Council plans to gradually relax the restrictions on entry imposed as a result of the coronavirus crisis in step with the gradual reopening of the economy. From 11 May onwards, applications submitted by workers from the EU/EFTA and third countries before 25 March will be processed (the backlog will be reduced). From this date, it should also be possible for family members of Swiss citizens and EU citizens to enter Switzerland. Border controls, however, will remain in place. The Federal Council has tasked the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) with preparing these measures to ease the lockdown.
21.04.2020
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, met by videoconference earlier today, 21 April, with his counterparts from the other German-speaking countries. He called on neighbouring countries and the EU to proceed in a coordinated manner to ease COVID-19 restrictions as quickly as possible. He also thanked his counterparts for the excellent cooperation which made the repatriation flights to bring Swiss and foreign citizens home possible.
19.03.2020
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Press release
EDA
Earlier this week, the Federal Council called on Swiss travellers to return home quickly. In order to better support those who are still blocked abroad, they should register on the "Travel Admin App" of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA.
13.03.2020
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Press release
EDA
Um die Ausbreitung des Coronavirus in der Schweiz einzudämmen und um die Bevölkerung und die Gesundheitsversorgung zu schützen, hat der Bundesrat an seiner Sitzung vom 13. März 2020 weitere Massnahmen beschlossen: Er verbietet ab sofort und bis Ende April Veranstaltungen mit mehr als 100 Personen, in Restaurants, Bars und Diskotheken dürfen sich maximal 50 Personen aufhalten. Damit kann das gegenseitige Abstandhalten einfacher eingehalten werden. An den Schulen darf bis am 4. April vor Ort kein Unterricht stattfinden. Die Einreise aus Italien wird weiter eingeschränkt. Der Bundesrat stellt zudem bis zu 10 Milliarden Franken als Soforthilfe zur Verfügung, um die wirtschaftlichen Auswirkungen der Pandemie rasch und unbürokratisch abzufedern.
10.03.2020
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), paid an official visit to Paris from 9 to 10 March 2020. Talks with his French counterpart, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, focused on bilateral relations, Switzerland's European policy and international current affairs. Measures adopted by the international community to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus were also discussed.
09.03.2020
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will pay an official visit to Paris on 9 and 10 March. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) will travel to Paris at the invitation of Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The discussions will focus on bilateral and cross-border issues, European policy and current international events.
20.02.2020
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Press release
EDA
Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), is to attend talks in 'multilateral Vienna' today and tomorrow. Meetings with the OSCE, IAEA and UN agencies are on the agenda.
31.01.2020
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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.
20.01.2020
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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.
