All news (681)
The Federal Council notes the results of the consultation on continuation of the Federal Act on Cooperation with the States of Eastern Europe
24.06.2015
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Press releases
EDA
The Federal Council has taken note of the results of the consultation on continuation of the Federal Act on Cooperation with the States of Eastern Europe, which remains in force until the end of May 2017. Its renewal would enable the continuation of cooperation with those states of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union that are not members of the European Union. The corresponding dispatch to Parliament is expected to be submitted by the end of February 2016 at the latest.
Official working visit to Bern by Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs
23.06.2015
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Press releases
EDA
Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter received this Tuesday the Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs, Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, for an official working visit to Bern. Their talks focused on bilateral relations, Iceland's and Switzerland's policies on the European Union (EU), and various current international issues.
FROM BRUSSELS TO GENEVA - THE EU & GLOBAL MULTILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS
22.06.2015
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Press releases
Mission EU Brussels
GEM Graduate Summer School (MA and PhD level) on “FROM BRUSSELS TO GENEVA - THE EU & GLOBAL MULTILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS”
Next step in Copernicus, the European Global Monitoring for Environment and Security system
22.06.2015
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Press releases
Europa
On 23 June the European Space Agency ESA launches Sentinel-2A, the second in a series of missions forming the space component of the Copernicus programme, Europe’s Global Monitoring for Environment and Security system.
Third series of corporate tax reforms ready for parliamentary deliberation
05.06.2015
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Press releases
Europa
During its meeting today, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the Corporate Tax Reform Act III. The reform aims to strengthen Switzerland as a business location, focusing on innovation, value creation and jobs. The proposed measures are compatible with the current international standards and will increase legal and planning certainty for companies. At the same time, the reform ensures that companies will make an appropriate contribution to the tax revenue of the federal government, the cantons and the communes also in the future.
Act like you mean it
02.06.2015
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Article
Mission EU Brussels
Authenticity of emotion: lectureperformance on acting and the brain based on William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet
Countdown running: Exactly a year to the opening of the Gotthard base tunnel
01.06.2015
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Press releases
Europa
In a year’s time, the Gotthard base tunnel will be inaugurated. At 57 kilometres in length, it will be the world’s longest tunnel. Today in Lucerne, transport minister Doris Leuthard started the countdown to the ceremony. On 1 June 2016, the official state occasion will take place, and the following weekend, a large-scale celebration will be held to thank the public.
Official meeting between Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter and Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni in Bern
28.05.2015
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Press releases
Europa
Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, received Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni for official talks in Bern today, and praised the excellent relations between the two countries. Among the topics discussed by Mr Burkhalter and Mr Gentiloni were Expo Milano 2015, the opening of the Gotthard base tunnel in 2016 and the significance of the New Transalpine Rail Link, progress made on fiscal and financial matters, and Switzerland's policy on the EU. The two ministers also discussed international matters, specifically migration policy and the situation in North Africa and the Middle East.
Agreement between Switzerland and EU for automatic exchange of information in tax matters: signing and consultation
27.05.2015
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Press releases
Mission EU Brussels
Bern, 27.05.2015 - During its meeting today, the Federal Council initiated the consultation on the agreement with the EU regarding the automatic exchange of information in tax matters. The agreement was signed in the morning in Brussels. Switzerland and the 28 EU member states intend to collect account data from 2017 onward and exchange it from 2018 once the necessary legal basis has been created. By implementing the global standard, Switzerland and the EU will make an important contribution to the prevention of tax evasion. This dovetails with the Federal Council's financial market policy, which supports internationally compliant taxation.
Official visit to Bern by Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Charles Flanagan
06.05.2015
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Press releases
Europa
Bern, The Head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, received the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charles Flanagan, for an official visit to Bern on Wednesday 6 May 2015. Their talks focused on bilateral relations, the EU and Switzerland's policy on Europe. They also discussed cooperation within international bodies, particularly the UN, and the situation in the Middle East.
Record values despite a difficult environment
04.05.2015
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Press releases
Europa
In spite of the difficult environment in the wake of the adoption of the immigration initiative, the ETH Domain was able to successfully fulfil the mandate of the Federal Council and Parliament. The attraction of the two Federal Institutes of Technology in Zurich and Lausanne continues unabated: with more than 28,500 students and doctoral students, a new record value was reached in 2014. In terms of knowledge and technology transfer, the ETH Domain with ETH Zurich, EPFL and the four research institutes PSI, WSL, Empa and Eawag also climbed record heights. However, if the ETH Domain is expected to be able to fulfil its mandate for the benefit of Switzerland as a centre of knowledge and industry, it is absolutely dependent on optimal parameters. These include planning security, stable basic funding and international openness.
French President François Hollande on state visit to Switzerland
15.04.2015
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Press releases
Europa
President Simonetta Sommaruga welcomed French President François Hollande to Bern on a two-day state visit – it is the first visit by a French president to Switzerland since 1998. EU policy, cooperation on international issues and economic relations are among the key topics to be addressed during President Hollande’s visit.