President Schneider-Ammann meets European Commission President Juncker

16.07.2016 — Press releases Mission EU Brussels

Bern, 16.07.2016 - President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann met with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on the fringes of the 11th ASEM Summit (Asia-Europe Meeting) in Mongolia on Saturday, 16 July. They discussed the state of ongoing talks between Switzerland and the European Union on a mutually acceptable solution to implementing Article 121a of the Federal Constitution with the framework of the existing Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons.

President Schneider-Ammann meets European Commission President Juncker

16.07.2016 — Press releases Europa
President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann met with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on the fringes of the 11th ASEM Summit (Asia-Europe Meeting) in Mongolia on Saturday, 16 July. They discussed the state of ongoing talks between Switzerland and the European Union on a mutually acceptable solution to implementing Article 121a of the Federal Constitution with the framework of the existing Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons.

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

06.07.2016 — Europa
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 approves new Strategy for Communication Abroad

06.07.2016 — Press releases Europa
The Federal Council approved Switzerland’s Strategy for Communication Abroad 2016–19 at its meeting today. Under the motto 'Strengthening the strengths', the strategy focuses on the priority areas for Switzerland’s communication abroad in the coming years. Its aim is to promote a positive and nuanced perception of Switzerland abroad and so help the country to safeguard its interests at an international level.

Taxes retained on behalf of the EU in 2015 amount to CHF 169,3 million

01.07.2016 — Press releases Europa
The gross revenue generated from the system of tax retention on interest payments made in Switzerland to EU taxpayers amounted to CHF 169,3 million for the tax year 2015. It was CHF 317 million in 2014.

Federal Council extends transitional periods for financial market infrastructures

29.06.2016 — Europa
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.

President Schneider-Ammann receives Georgian Prime Minister Kvirikashvili

28.06.2016 — Press releases Europa

Bern - On Monday, 27 June, President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann received Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili in Bern for an official working visit. Later that day, the president and prime minister attended the EFTA Ministerial Meeting at which a free trade agreement was signed with Georgia. Bilateral talks focused on efforts to promote peace in the Caucasus and Switzerland’s cooperation strategy for the South Caucasus region.

Point de Presse Brexit

24.06.2016 — Press releases Mission EU Brussels

Berne, 24.06.2016 - Discours du président de la Confédération Johann N. Schneider- Ammann, chef du Département fédéral de l’économie, de la formation et de la recherche DEFR 

United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union

24.06.2016 — Article Europa

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

Brexit: FDFA Helpline offers advice for Swiss citizens

24.06.2016 — Press releases Europa

Bern, 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. There is, however, a high level of demand for information from Swiss citizens in Switzerland and abroad. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA has made additional staff available on the FDFA Helpline to answer calls regarding the impact of the United Kingdom's decision on Swiss citizens. The FDFA Helpline can be contacted on 0 800 24-7-365 and is available around the clock, including at weekends.

President Schneider-Ammann meets Slovakian president and prime minister

20.06.2016 — Press releases Europa
President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann travelled to Slovakia on Monday for a state visit where he was received in Bratislava by President Andrej Kiska. He also met the Slovakian prime minister, Robert Fico, economic affairs minister, Peter Žiga, and education minister, Peter Plavčan. In view of the fact that the visit is taking place shortly before Slovakia assumes the rotating presidency of the EU Council for the first time on 1 July, and a few days before the UK referendum, talks focused on European policy issues. The two presidents also attended the Business and Innovation Forum Slovakia-Switzerland 2016.

Federal Councillor Leuthard in Berlin and Rotterdam for Gotthard base tunnel events

16.06.2016 — Press releases Europa

Bern, 16.06.2016 - In the next few days, Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard will be attending two events focusing on the Gotthard base tunnel. The “Soirée Suisse Gottardo” will be held on 17 June 2016 in Berlin, and Switzerland is to host a special event in Rotterdam on 20 June 2016 within the framework of the Transeuropean Transport Networks Conference (TEN-T Days).

Flankierende Massnahmen und Schwarzarbeitsbekämpfung: Kontrollziele im Jahr 2023 erfüllt

10.06.2024 — Press releases Europa
Die Vollzugsorgane haben im Rahmen der flankierenden Massnahmen (FlaM) und des Bundesgesetzes gegen die Schwarzarbeit (BGSA) ihre Kontrollen im Jahr 2023 ohne pandemiebedingte Einschränkungen und mit vollem Ressourceneinsatz durchgeführt. Das FlaM-Mindestkontrollziel wurde erneut erreicht. Ein Rückblick zeigt, wie sich das FlaM-Schutzdispositiv in den letzten zwanzig Jahren stetig weiterentwickelt und neuen Gegebenheiten angepasst hat.

Cooperation on military training: Slovenia and Switzerland sign agreement

10.06.2024 — Press releases Europa
The head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports, President Viola Amherd, and Slovenian Defence Minister Marjan Šarec signed an agreement in Bern on 10 June to strengthen cooperation on military training. The talks also focused on the current security situation in the Middle East, Ukraine and the Western Balkans.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to attend third Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin

10.06.2024 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland has been supporting the recovery and reconstruction process in Ukraine since the start of the war. In line with this commitment, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will attend the third Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Berlin on 11 and 12 June 2024, following on from the URCs in Lugano (2022) and London (2023). The Berlin conference will focus, among other things, on private sector involvement, social aspects and the promotion of local and regional development.

Small rise in Schengen visa fees

07.06.2024 — Press releases Europa
From 11 June 2024, there will be a small rise in the fee charged for a short-stay visa in all Schengen states. This is a result of a change to the Visa Code, which Switzerland has adopted as a member of the Schengen area. The Federal Council approved the rise in visa fees at its meeting on 7 June.

Switzerland and Italy sign permanent tax rules for home working

06.06.2024 — Press releases Europa
Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter and Italy's Minister of Economy and Finance, Giancarlo Giorgetti, signed an amending protocol to the existing cross-border commuter agreement. The protocol regulates the taxation of home working for cross-border commuters for the long term.

Swiss scientists to retain access to one of world’s most powerful neutron sources

06.06.2024 — Press releases Europa
On 6 June, State Secretary Martina Hirayama signed an agreement on behalf of the Federal Council to renew Switzerland's participation in the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) in Grenoble (France) from 2024. This will consolidate Switzerland's position in a key sector of the European Research Area: Swiss scientists will continue to be able to use a unique neutron source and over 40 experimental stations for their work.

Schweiz – EU: Diskussionen zu den Schutzmassnahmen der EU auf Stahleinfuhren

04.06.2024 — Press releases Europa
Am 4. Juni 2024 hat auf Antrag der Schweiz ein ausserordentliches Treffen des Gemischten Ausschusses des Freihandelsabkommens zwischen der Schweiz und der EU stattgefunden. Diskutiert wurden die geplante Verlängerung und die vorgesehenen Anpassungen an den Schutzmassnahmen der EU auf Stahleinfuhren sowie deren Auswirkungen auf die Schweiz.

Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter to meet German Minister of Finance, Christian Lindner, in Berlin

04.06.2024 — Press releases Europa
On 5 June 2024, Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter will meet the German Minister of Finance, Christian Lindner, in Berlin. The exchange will focus on the state of public finances and the debt brake, as well as international financial market stability and the minimum taxation of multinational enterprises.

Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter meets Hungary's Minister for Finance, Varga Mihály, in Budapest

27.05.2024 — Press releases Europa
Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter met Hungary's Minister for Finance, Varga Mihály, in Budapest on 27 May 2024. They discussed current financial and tax issues in the run-up to Hungary's presidency of the Council of the European Union.

President Amherd and Bulgarian president Radev discuss bilateral relations, Europe and the security situation

27.05.2024 — Press releases Europa
On Monday 27 May, Swiss president Viola Amherd and Bulgarian president Rumen Radev discussed bilateral relations between their two countries, European policy, the security situation on the continent and the strengthening of multilateralism. The meeting took place in Bern.

ESA and EU strengthen Europe’s competitiveness both in and through space

23.05.2024 — Press releases Europa
State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation Martina Hirayama took part in the 11th meeting of the EU/ESA Space Council, which was held in Brussels on 23 May 2024. On this occasion, a joint resolution was adopted on the role of the space sector in boosting European competitiveness. The resolution also recognises that concerted action by ESA, the EU and their respective member states is important and that European space policy can be shaped more effectively when activities are coordinated through the EU/ESA Space Council.

FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel holds political consultations with Türkiye

23.05.2024 — Press releases EDA
FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel met with Türkiye's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mehmet Kemal Bozay in Ankara on 22 May 2024. The talks focused on bilateral relations, human rights, regional developments, European integration and the war against Ukraine.

Coronavirus: Further easing of entry restrictions from 8 June

27.05.2020 — Europa
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 — Europa
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 — Europa
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 Europa
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 — Europa
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 — Europa
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 — Europa
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 — Europa
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 — Europa
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 — Europa
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.