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FDFA State Secretary Livia Leu holds political consultations with Kosovo

09.05.2023 — Press releases EDA
On 9 May, FDFA State Secretary Livia Leu held political consultations in Bern with Kosovo's Deputy Foreign Minister Kreshnik Ahmeti. The meeting focused on bilateral matters, the relations between Kosovo and Serbia, Swiss support for the EU normalisation process between the two countries and the implications for the Western Balkans of the war against Ukraine.

Vice president of the Federal Council to pay visit to the Pope and Swiss Guard at the Vatican

05.05.2023 — Press releases Europa
Viola Amherd, Vice president of the Federal Council, will attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new recruits to the Pontifical Swiss Guard at the Vatican on 6 May. She will also hold talks with Pope Francis and Christoph Graf, Commander of the Guard.

Meeting of Joint Swiss-British Committee for Science and Innovation

02.05.2023 — Press releases Europa
On 2 May 2023, State Secretary Martina Hirayama and British Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, George Freeman, opened the first meeting of the Joint Swiss-British Committee for Science and Innovation. This meeting between the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and the British Department for Science, Innovation and Technology was mainly centred on bilateral cooperation in research and innovation.

President Berset to represent Switzerland at the coronation of Charles III

02.05.2023 — Press releases EDA
The President of the Confederation, Alain Berset, will attend the coronation celebrations of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in London. He will represent Switzerland at the ceremony, thus underlining the excellent relations with the UK. The reception by the King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family will be held at Buckingham Palace on Friday, prior to the coronation at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, 6 May.

Transitional measure for Horizon Europe: Innosuisse supports 53 projects within the framework of the Swiss Accelerator

28.04.2023 — Press releases Europa
Innosuisse launched a call for projects for the Swiss Accelerator in 2022 as a transitional measure for Horizon Europe. After a three-stage assessment process, the Swiss Innovation Agency has now approved 53 innovation projects from SMEs and start-ups with significant innovation potential.

European cohesion at centre of this year's meeting of German-speaking foreign ministers in Salzburg

27.04.2023 — Press releases EDA
At the invitation of the Austrian foreign minister, the foreign ministers of the five German-speaking countries met today in Salzburg. The talks focused on Russia's military aggression against Ukraine and its impact on Europe.

State Secretary Martina Hirayama on working visit to Riga

24.04.2023 — Press releases Europa
On 24 April 2023, State Secretary Martina Hirayama met with Latvian State Secretary for Education and Science, Ms Santa Šmīdlere, in Riga to discuss bilateral cooperation between Switzerland and Latvia in the area of education and research. She also gave an opening speech at the Swiss Innovation Healthcare Day.

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin receives Bulgarian deputy prime minister and minister for education and science

21.04.2023 — Press releases Europa
The topics of discussion at the working meeting on 21 April in Bern were cooperation between the two countries in the fields of education, research and innovation, the second Swiss contribution to selected EU states and the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT), which was opened in Sofia in 2022 with support from Switzerland.

Ignazio Cassis inaugurates first Swiss embassy to Holy See and meets with Italian and Vatican authorities

21.04.2023 — Press releases EDA
During a three-day visit to Rome, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, officially inaugurated Switzerland's new diplomatic mission to the Vatican. He said that this new presence will strengthen bilateral relations with the Holy See, during his meeting with the secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. As part of this official working visit, Mr Cassis also held discussions with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani and the Italian minister of economy and finance, Giancarlo Giorgetti.

EU Digital policy: Analysis of the impact on Switzerland

18.04.2023 — Press releases Europa
Switzerland is affected in a range of areas by the European Union's digital policy regulations. That is the upshot of an analysis conducted by the Federal Administration that was published on 18 April. Based on EU digital policy, there is no immediate need for regulation in Switzerland, as there are no significant market access barriers. It can, however, initiate regulation at its own initiative in individual areas.

Ignazio Cassis on working visit to Italy and the Vatican

13.04.2023 — Press releases EDA
On 19 April Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will travel to Rome for a three-day working visit and a series of talks with officials of the Holy See and the Italian Republic. The head of the FDFA will meet with the secretary of state of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the secretary for relations with states, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher. In addition to opening the new premises of the Swiss embassy to the Vatican, he will meet with Italy's foreign minister, Antonio Tajani and economy and finance minister, Giancarlo Giorgetti.

More than 800 000 Swiss nationals lived abroad at the end of 2022

06.04.2023 — Press releases Europa
In 2022, the population of Swiss citizens residing abroad exceeded the 800 000 mark. This number showed continued growth compared with 2021 (+1.5%), but also between 2002 and 2022 (+34%). Europe was still the preferred continent, although more and more Swiss citizens lived in parts of Asia. These are some of the results of the statistics on the Swiss abroad from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

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Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin on a working visit to Poland

12.05.2025 — Press releases Europa
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin will visit Poland on 14 and 15 May. During his visit he will sign a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in education, research and innovation (ERI). Bilateral ministerial meetings are also planned, focusing on ERI and business. The programme will conclude with a visit to the renowned Impact'25 innovation fair.

President Keller-Sutter to attend European Political Community Summit in Tirana

12.05.2025 — Press releases Europa
On 16 May, in the Albanian capital Tirana, President of the Swiss Confederation Karin Keller-Sutter will represent Switzerland at the sixth summit of the European Political Community. Heads of state and government from around 45 countries across the continent are expected to attend, along with representatives of EU institutions and other European organisations.

Direct rail connection between Switzerland and London: Parties sign Memorandum of Understanding

09.05.2025 — Press releases Europa
Federal Councillor Albert Rösti, head of the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), met the UK’s Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander in London on 8 May. They signed a joint memorandum of understanding on increased cooperation in international rail passenger transport. The aim of the MoU is to establish a direct railway link between Switzerland and the UK.

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to visit Bulgaria

05.05.2025 — Press releases Europa
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin will travel to Sofia on 7 May for a one-day visit. His programme includes meetings with Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev and Prime Minister Rosen Jeliazkov, as well as a visit to the renowned Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT).

Ignazio Cassis meets with Hungarian foreign minister in Bern

05.05.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, today received the Hungarian foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó, in Bern for an official working visit. The talks centred on bilateral relations, European policy and current geopolitical issues.

Swiss–EU package: Federal Council calls for optional referendum

30.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
On 30 April 2025, the Federal Council took stock of the ongoing work on the Swiss–EU package. It decided to call an optional referendum on the agreements with the European Union (EU). In taking this decision, the Federal Council is signalling political continuity and coherence and giving Parliament and the cantons room for manoeuvre. Parliament will ultimately determine the nature of the referendum in the course of its deliberations.

National Armaments Director receives the Deputy National Armaments Director of Poland in Switzerland

17.04.2025 — Press releases Europa
On 16 April, National Armaments Director Urs Loher met with the Deputy National Armaments Director of Poland, Colonel Krzysztof Komorowski, for bilateral discussions in Switzerland. The focus was on an exchange of ideas about current armaments policy topics.

Switzerland–EU: Federal Council approves EU Programmes Agreement

10.04.2025 — Press releases Europa
At its meeting on 9 April 2025, the Federal Council approved the EU Programmes Agreement (EUPA) along with the associated protocols on education, research, innovation and health. It also authorised Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to sign the agreement. Signature of the EUPA will enable Swiss association in Horizon Europe, the Euratom programme and the Digital Europe Programme to be applied retroactively from 1 January 2025. The agreement will come into effect following ratification of the Switzerland-EU package

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to travel to Slovenia

10.04.2025 — Press releases Europa
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin will travel to Slovenia on 11 April for a one-day bilateral visit. The programme includes talks with the prime minister and the minister for economic affairs, visits to Swiss companies and discussions with the business community. Mr Parmelin will also sign the bilateral implementation agreement relating to Switzerland's second contribution to Slovenia.

President Karin Keller-Sutter to attend meeting of EU's Economic and Financial Affairs Council

07.04.2025 — Press releases Europa
On 11 April 2025, Karin Keller-Sutter, President of the Swiss Confederation, will attend the informal meeting of the EU's Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) in Warsaw. The purpose of the meeting is to promote European exchanges on international financial and tax issues.

Working meeting between Ignazio Cassis and Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger

01.04.2025 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met with his Austrian counterpart Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Bern on Tuesday. This is the first visit to Switzerland by Austria's new minister for European and international affairs. Discussions focused on bilateral relations, European policy and security, and current international affairs.

Swiss citizens abroad in 2024

28.03.2025 — Press releases Europa
There were 826 700 Swiss citizens residing in other countries on 31 December 2024. Their numbers have increased since 2023 (+13 300 people or +1.6%). Three quarters of the Swiss abroad have more than one nationality. This figure rises to 85% among the under-18s. These are some of the results of the Statistics on the Swiss Abroad published by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

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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.

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