All news (667)
Switzerland and Romania sign agreement on implementation of second Swiss contribution
12.12.2022
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Press releases
EDA
On Monday, 12 December, President Ignazio Cassis met with President Klaus Werner Iohannis and Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă in Bucharest. President Cassis then signed an agreement on the implementation of the second Swiss contribution with Finance Minister Adrian Câciu. Under the agreement, Switzerland will provide CHF 221.5 million to finance various projects in Romania until 2029. Prior to visiting Bucharest, Mr Cassis had a working meeting with the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu.
Federal Council presents draft report Assessment of Swiss-EU relations
09.12.2022
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Press releases
EDA
At its meeting on 9 December, the Federal Council discussed the draft report 'Assessment of Swiss–EU relations. The Federal Council concludes in the report that the bilateral approach remains the most favourable solution for Switzerland. The report was adopted subject to the outcome of the consultation of the foreign affairs committees of both chambers of Parliament. Parliament, for its part, had repeatedly called on the Federal Council to conduct an assessment of Swiss policy on the EU.
Switzerland and Poland launch second Swiss contribution
05.12.2022
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Press releases
Europa
On 5 December, State Secretary for Economic Affairs Hélène Budliger Artieda and Poland’s Minister for Development Funds and Regional Policy Grzegorz Puda signed a bilateral agreement in Warsaw. The agreement implements the new Swiss-Polish cooperation programme, which is part of Switzerland’s second enlargement contribution to selected EU member states. The visit signals Switzerland's continued interest in strengthening its very good bilateral, and economic relations with Poland.
State visit by President Mattarella underlines importance of Swiss-Italian relations
29.11.2022
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Press releases
EDA
The state visit of Italian President Sergio Mattarella to Switzerland underlines the close relations between the two countries. President Mattarella was welcomed to Bern by the full Federal Council on Tuesday, 29 November. In his welcome speech, President Ignazio Cassis paid tribute to the close ties between Switzerland and Italy and their intensive contacts, which reinforce the italianità already present in Switzerland's DNA. Besides bilateral relations, the official talks focused on European policy, the security situation on the continent and multilateral issues.
25th meeting of the Swiss-EU Joint AFMP Committee
25.11.2022
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Press releases
Europa
The 25th meeting of the Swiss-EU Joint Committee on the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP) was held in Brussels on 25 November 2022. As in previous meetings, both delegations discussed matters pertaining to the application and further development of the AFMP. On this occasion, the Swiss side notified the EU side of the Federal Council’s decision of 16 November 2022 to invoke the safeguard clause for Croatia for 2023.
Ukraine: Switzerland adopts EU’s eighth package of sanctions
23.11.2022
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Press releases
Europa
On 23 November, the Federal Council adopted further sanctions against Russia. It is thus adopting in principle the latest measures adopted by the European Union (EU) as part of its eighth package of sanctions. The measures will enter into force at 6pm on 23 November.
Federal Council debates status of exploratory talks with EU
23.11.2022
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Press releases
EDA
On 23 November 2022, the Federal Council met to discuss Switzerland's relations with the European Union (EU). The main item on the agenda was the progress made in exploratory talks held thus far with the European Commission. The Federal Council welcomed the fact that progress had been made but noted that differences remained. It therefore decided to continue the in-depth exploratory talks phase.
President of the Confederation Ignazio Cassis signs agreement in Malta on the implementation of the second Swiss contribution
18.11.2022
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Press releases
EDA
During an official visit to Malta, President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis met on Friday 18 November 2022 with Foreign Minister Ian Borg. Their talks focused on bilateral relations, Switzerland's and Malta's non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council, and cooperation in the digital domain. Mr Cassis also signed the agreement with Malta on the implementation of the second Swiss contribution. On the margins of this meeting, Mr Cassis also participated in the Digital Diplomacy and Governance Summit.
Agreement with the United Kingdom on mutual recognition of conformity assessments
17.11.2022
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Press releases
Europa
On 17 November, Switzerland and the United Kingdom signed an agreement on the mutual recognition of conformity assessments. This means that in certain sectors, product testing by a UK conformity assessment body is no longer required for exports from Switzerland to the UK. The agreement will be provisionally applied from 1 January 2023 and will enter into force no later than 28 February 2023. It was approved by the Federal Council on 16 November.
State Secretary Martina Hirayama pays a working visit to Austria
16.11.2022
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Press releases
Europa
State Secretary Martina Hirayama held talks with Martin Polaschek, the Austrian minister of education, science and research, on 16 November. She also discussed innovation with Henriette Spyra, a directorate general head at the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology.
Free movement of persons: Federal Council invokes the safeguard clause for Croatia
16.11.2022
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Press releases
Europa
Access to the Swiss labour market is to be restricted again for Croatian nationals in 2023. The number of workers from Croatia has risen sharply this year and now exceeds the threshold figure defined in the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. The Federal Council therefore decided at its meeting on 16 November to invoke the safeguard clause provided for by the Agreement.
Ignazio Cassis meets President Emmanuel Macron at Paris Peace Forum
11.11.2022
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Press releases
EDA
President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis is in Paris on 11 and 12 November 2022 to attend the 5th edition of the Paris Peace Forum and meet with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron. Talks focused on bilateral and Swiss-EU relations, the war in Ukraine and multilateral cooperation.
