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President Parmelin in Sweden for bilateral exchange

14.06.2021 — Press release DEA
President Guy Parmelin was received by King Carl XVI Gustaf at the start of his visit to Sweden on Monday, 14 June 2021. He then met separately with Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, Minister for Business, Industry and Innovation Ibrahim Baylan and Minister for Higher Education and Research Matilda Ernkrans, and paid a courtesy visit to Speaker of the Riksdag Andreas Norlén. The innovation agencies of Switzerland and Sweden signed a memorandum of understanding to further deepen their cooperation, which has been ongoing since 2013.

Council of Europe Ministerial Conference: Switzerland advocates for the protection of journalists

11.06.2021 — Press release DEA
Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga is concerned by the continued deterioration of working conditions experienced by journalists and media professionals. At the Council of Europe’s virtual Ministerial Conference on Media and Information Society on 11 June, she stressed Switzerland’s willingness to reverse this trend and support measures to strengthen freedom of expression and freedom of the media in Europe.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visits Vienna: signing of memorandum of understanding on new strategic partnership between Switzerland and Austria

10.06.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, will travel to Austria on 11 June. In Vienna, together with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg, he will sign a memorandum of understanding on the strategic partnership between the two countries. The following day, Mr Cassis will take part in the Europa-Forum Wachau and meet with Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.

President Parmelin hails Slovenia trip a success

09.06.2021 — Press release DEA
Swiss President Guy Parmelin met with President Borut Pahor during his visit to Slovenia on Wednesday 9 June. He also held talks with Prime Minister Janez Janša, Minister of Economic Development and Technology Zdravko Počivalšek and Speaker of the National Assembly Igor Zorčič. Discussions focused on bilateral matters, including the development of economic relations, and issues of European policy. Slovenia will assume the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July.

Erstes Treffen des Gemischten Ausschusses zum Handelsabkommen Schweiz–Vereinigtes Königreich

08.06.2021 — Press release DEA
Am 1. Januar 2021 trat das Handelsabkommen zwischen der Schweiz und dem Vereinigten Königreich (UK) in Kraft. Der zuständige Gemischte Ausschuss hielt am 8. Juni 2021 sein konstituierendes Treffen ab. Dabei wurden zentrale Themen für die Handelsbeziehungen zum Vereinigten Königreich wie die Ursprungskumulation und die Weiterentwicklung des Abkommens diskutiert.

European policy: Federal Council sets out next steps for second Swiss contribution

04.06.2021 — Press release EDA
The unblocking of the second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states is part of the Federal Council's European policy agenda, with a view to pursuing the bilateral approach. At its meeting on 4 June, the Federal Council decided to prepare a dispatch on the unblocking of the corresponding framework credits. The dispatch will be submitted to Parliament in the autumn session.

No signing of Swiss–EU institutional agreement

26.05.2021 — Press release EDA
At its meeting on 26 May, the Federal Council undertook an overall evaluation of the outcome of the negotiations on the institutional framework agreement (InstA). It concluded that there remain substantial differences between Switzerland and the EU on key aspects of the agreement. The conditions are thus not met for the signing of the agreement. The Federal Council today took the decision not to sign the agreement, and communicated this decision to the EU. This brings the negotiations on the draft of the InstA to a close. The Federal Council nevertheless considers it to be in the shared interest of Switzerland and the EU to safeguard their well-established cooperation and to systematically maintain the agreements already in force. It therefore wishes to launch a political dialogue with the EU on continued cooperation. Meanwhile, it has tasked the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) to consider how autonomous amendments to Swiss legislation might contribute to the stabilisation of Swiss–EU relations.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó

20.04.2021 — Press release EDA
On Tuesday 20 April 2021, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó, for an official working meeting in Bern. Their talks focused on bilateral relations, Hungary's upcoming chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, and the socio-political and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Science diplomacy and cross-border cooperation focus of German-speaking foreign ministers' meeting in Lugano

16.04.2021 — Press release EDA
At the invitation of Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the annual meeting of foreign ministers from the five German-speaking countries took place today in Lugano. The talks focused on cross-border cooperation, including the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, science diplomacy in digital foreign policy and other topics of European and international interest.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives new Foreign Minister of Liechtenstein Dominique Hasler

15.04.2021 — Press release EDA
Today, for the first time, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received Dominique Hasler, the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport of the Principality of Liechtenstein. This is the first official working visit of Liechtenstein's new foreign minister in Switzerland. It focused on cross-border and bilateral relations as well as European and international issues.

Europe was the main continent of residence for Swiss citizens abroad in 2020

30.03.2021 — Press release DEA
At the end of 2020, more than one in ten Swiss citizens lived abroad. Almost two thirds lived in Europe, notably in France. Their number increased by 0.7% compared with 2019. The increase in the number of persons aged 65 and over was the most marked (+2.8%). Overall, the share of women remained greater than that of men, according to the results of the statistics on the Swiss abroad from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Switzerland - UK: Federal Council launches consultation on Services Mobility Agreement

17.02.2021 — Press release DEA
On 17 February, the Federal Council opened consultation proceedings on the agreement between Switzerland and the UK on the mobility of service providers (Services Mobility Agreement, SMA). The agreement ensures reciprocal facilitated access for service providers between Switzerland and the UK following the expiry of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP). The consultation runs until 30 April.

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Switzerland to represent Liechtenstein consular interests at four new locations

26.04.2022 — Press release EDA
From 1 May 2022, Switzerland will also represent the consular interests of the Principality of Liechtenstein at selected locations where Liechtenstein itself operates a representation. This is another sign of the close relations that exist between the two countries. On 18 March 2022, the Federal Council gave its approval for the conclusion of an agreement with Liechtenstein.

Presidential visit to UK to focus on Swiss-British partnership and European security

25.04.2022 — Press release EDA
President Ignazio Cassis will travel to London this week where he will meet with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Minister Elizabeth Truss on Thursday, 28 April. The two sides will discuss ways of deepening bilateral relations. Other topics on the agenda include Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and its consequences, as well as the policies of Switzerland and the UK with regard to Europe.

Federal Council wants Switzerland to join six European research infrastructures

13.04.2022 — Press release DEA
On 13 April, the Federal Council submitted the Dispatch on Switzerland's access to six European research infrastructure networks to Parliament. Access to these networks will enable Swiss researchers to participate actively and on an equal footing.

Ukraine: Adoption of further EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus

13.04.2022 — Press release DEA
On 13 April, the Federal Council took the decision to adopt the new EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus. Amendments to the corresponding ordinances are being prepared. Furthermore, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) has imposed financial sanctions and travel restrictions on a further 200 individuals.

Ignazio Cassis meets President Egils Levits of Latvia in Lugano

11.04.2022 — Press release EDA
During their meeting in Lugano, President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis and his Latvian counterpart Egils Levits discussed bilateral relations between Switzerland and Latvia, the war in Ukraine and European policy. Afterwards, the two presidents visited the Museo Rainis e Aspazija, which commemorates the time spent in exile by the Latvian intellectuals in Switzerland at the start of the 20th century.

German-speaking foreign ministers address joint appeal to Russia

08.04.2022 — Press release EDA
At the invitation of Liechtenstein's Minister of Foreign Affairs, the annual meeting of foreign ministers from the five German-speaking countries took place today in the Principality of Liechtenstein. Their discussions focused on the current situation in Ukraine and its geopolitical consequences, and the humanitarian crisis created by the Russian attack on Ukraine. The five German-speaking foreign ministers jointly appeal to Russia to immediately end all use of force in Ukraine and to withdraw its troops unconditionally.

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to meet Bulgarian president and EU research commissioner in Sofia

07.04.2022 — Press release DEA
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), will inaugurate the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) in Sofia on 11 April. During this visit, he will also hold talks on research, innovation and education in the context of Swiss-Bulgarian and Swiss-European cooperation.

75% of Swiss citizens living abroad have more than one nationality

07.04.2022 — Press release EDA
At the end of 2021, more than one in ten Swiss citizens lived abroad. This was a 1.5% increase compared with 2020. Most of these citizens lived in Europe. Regardless of the continent in which they lived, the majority were aged between 18 and 64. Reflecting Switzerland's multicultural nature, many of them also had more than one nationality, according to the results of the statistics on the Swiss abroad from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

President Ignazio Cassis receives Croatian President Zoran Milanović

07.04.2022 — Press release EDA
President Ignazio Cassis met with Croatian President Zoran Milanović in Geneva on Thursday, 7 April. In addition to bilateral relations, the talks focused on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the situation in the Western Balkans and Switzerland’s European policy. The visit included a meeting with students from the University of Geneva.

Switzerland and Kosovo sign mutual legal assistance agreement

05.04.2022 — Press release DEA
Switzerland and Kosovo are to intensify their cooperation in the fight against cross-border crime. The Kosovar Minister of Justice Albulena Haxhiu and the Swiss ambassador to Kosovo, Thomas Kolly, signed a bilateral treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters in Pristina on 5 April. The Federal Council approved the treaty and authorised its signing on 4 March.

Transitional measures for Horizon Europe: CHF 58 million for 24 ground-breaking Swiss start-up innovations

29.03.2022 — Press release DEA
The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) is supporting 24 start-ups whose projects have been selected in the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator 2021 calls for proposals. As Switzerland is currently not associated to Horizon Europe, the start-ups will receive a ‘SERI-funded EIC Accelerator Grant’ from the federal government. This direct funding will strengthen Switzerland’s role as a hub for innovation and help bring innovative solutions to societal challenges to the market.

State Secretary Martina Hirayama on a working visit to the Czech Republic

28.03.2022 — Press release DEA
State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, Martina Hirayama, will travel to Prague on 29 March to meet with Petr Gazdík, the Czech Minister for Education, Youth and Sports and Helena Langšádlová, the Czech Minister of Science, Research and Innovation.

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Coronavirus: Further easing of entry restrictions from 8 June

27.05.2020 — DEA
The Federal Council is to further relax entry restrictions in connection with the coronavirus pandemic. The restrictions will be lifted in step with the reopening of the economy. From 8 June, the cantons will begin processing applications from workers from the EU/EFTA member states. In addition, Swiss companies will be allowed to employ highly skilled workers from third countries if this is in the public interest, or if they are urgently required. To benefit the domestic workforce, companies will again be required to give notification of job vacancies, a measure that was temporarily suspended during the lockdown. Lastly, the Federal Council plans to lift all travel restrictions and re-establish the free movement of persons across the Schengen area no later than 6 July. Border controls with Germany, Austria and France will be lifted as early as 15 June, as previously announced.

Securing access to research cooperation and funding programmes in Europe

20.05.2020 — DEA
Horizon Europe, the EU’s next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, is due to start in 2021. Along with three other European initiatives, Horizon Europe forms the ‘2021–2027 Horizon package’. On 20 May 2020 the Federal Council adopted a dispatch on funding requesting Parliament to approve CHF 6,154 million in funding to secure Switzerland’s participation in the Horizon package. Provided Parliament approves this funding, the Federal Council and the EU will be able to renew their bilateral research agreement and secureSwitzerland’s continued and uninterrupted participation in the Horizon package as an associated state.

Coronavirus: Switzerland reaches agreement with Germany, Austria and France on opening borders

13.05.2020 — 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.

New slides provide handy, up-to-date information on Switzerland’s European policy

26.11.2019 — Article DEA
Switzerland enjoys close, important and diverse relations with the European Union. They are based on the bilateral approach and influence many aspects of citizens’ lives, both in Switzerland and in the EU.

Serbian Prime Minister Brnabić attends working meeting with President Maurer

03.09.2019 — DEA
On Tuesday, 3 September, President Ueli Maurer received Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić at the Bernerhof for a working visit on the fringes of Swiss Digital Day. Discussions covered bilateral issues such as business and digital transformation, Serbia’s relations with the European Union, and the situation in the Western Balkans.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visits Samos refugee camp and meets new Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs

10.07.2019 — EDA
Mr Cassis's visit to Greece has mainly been concerned with the situation of refugees and the challenges posed by migration. On Tuesday, the head of the FDFA visited the refugee camp on Samos and today met Nikos Dendias, who was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs this week, and President Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

Switzerland and EU adapt their insurance agreement

05.07.2018 — DEA
Switzerland and the EU have been adapting their Direct Insurance Agreement which has existed since 1989 to the new regulatory requirements. The mixed committee with representatives from both sides adopted the changes on 3 July 2018 and brought them into effect. Thereby the agreement is also in line with the future requirements of the Swiss insurance business.

Switzerland and France give go-ahead to implementation of EuroAirport agreement

19.12.2017 — EDA
At their first meeting, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian brought the issue of the tax regime at Basel-Mulhouse (EuroAirport) to a conclusion: the agreement regulating Swiss companies operating at EuroAirport will be applicable from next year. The two foreign ministers' working meeting also focused on other bilateral issues, the situation in Europe and Switzerland's policy with regard to the EU.

EU-Switzerland Financial Regulatory Dialogue held in Bern

19.10.2017 — DEA
The Swiss State Secretariat for International Financial Matters and the European Commission held their 2017 Financial Regulatory Dialogue on October 19 in Berne. The Dialogue was co-chaired by Jörg Gasser, State Secretary for International Financial Matters, and Olivier Guersent, European Commission's Director General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union. Participants included staff from the European Commission, European Supervisory Authorities, Single Resolution Board, the Swiss federal administration, the Swiss National Bank and the Swiss Financial Supervisory Authority FINMA.

European Parliament’s PANA Committee to visit Switzerland

15.09.2017 — DEA
The Swiss authorities will receive a delegation from the European Parliament's PANA Committee on 15 September. The focus of the talks will be the current system and the ongoing work to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and tax offences.

Switzerland once again a full member of partnership-funded EU innovation programmes

23.08.2017 — DEA
On 23 August, the Federal Council approved the agreements on Switzerland’s participation in the Eurostars-2 and the Active and Assisted Living research and development programmes. This means that Switzerland is once again a full member of both programmes and is co-financed by the EU. The programmes are particularly interesting for research-intensive SMEs looking to enter new European or global markets through cross-border cooperation. Switzerland’s participation in the AAL programme is one of the many measures that form part of the federal government’s Skilled Workers Initiative.

Linking of the Swiss and European emissions trading systems: big step forward

16.08.2017 — DEA
Switzerland and the European Union are preparing to link their emissions trading systems. The Federal Council approved the signing of the corresponding agreement at its meeting of 16 August 2017. The European Commission has also adopted proposals for the signature and ratification of the agreement and has submitted them to the Council of the European Union for approval. The agreement could be signed before the end of this year. Its ratification must then be approved by the Swiss and European parliaments.

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