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Switzerland and Holy See celebrate 100 years of renewed diplomatic relations

08.11.2021 — Press releases EDA
On the occasion of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations with the Holy See, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met in Bern with the Secretary of State of the Vatican, His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin. During the official visit, a joint declaration was signed which aims to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in various areas related to peace promotion.

Swiss–EU relations: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets with representatives of civil society in Bern

05.11.2021 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis hosted a dinner in Bern this evening for representatives from business, academia and organisations with an interest in Europe. The aim of this gathering was to hold an open discussion on Swiss–EU relations.

Provisional application of the new social security convention with the United Kingdom as of 1.11.2021

01.11.2021 — Press releases Europa
The new social security convention with the United Kingdom will be applicable provisionally from 1 November 2021. It coordinates the social security systems of the two contracting states as the CH-EU Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons is no longer applicable as a result of Brexit.

Migration cooperation at centre of Federal Councillor Keller-Sutter’s working visit to Greece

22.10.2021 — Press releases Europa
During a working visit to Greece, Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter met Minister of Migration and Asylum Notis Mitarachi and Deputy Minister for Citizen Protection Eleftherios Oikonomou on 22 October. The head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) also visited a shelter for unaccompanied minor girls in Athens and the Mavrovouni camp on the Greek island of Lesbos.

Horizon Package 2021-2027: Federal Council enables direct financing and examines further measures

20.10.2021 — Press releases Europa
Switzerland is currently a non-associated third country in terms of the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation “Horizon Europe” and related programmes and initiatives. Under this status, researchers and innovators in Switzerland can participate in roughly two thirds of the programme. However, they do not receive funding from the European Commission. On 20 October, the Federal Council instructed the EAER to provide direct funding to the players concerned and approved the necessary credit reallocations. In addition, it has instructed the EAER, in cooperation with the FDF, to examine possible complementary and replacement measures to strengthen Switzerland's standing as a location for research and innovation.

Horizon Europe: Federal Council submits transitional measures to Parliament for non-accessible programme components

17.09.2021 — Press releases Europa
Switzerland will be treated as a non-associated third country in Horizon Europe, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, and related programmes and initiatives until further notice. Under this status, researchers in Switzerland can still participate in most collaboration projects, but are excluded from individual projects. On 17 September, the Federal Council therefore decided to initiate transitional measures until Switzerland achieves its stated aim of full association.

FDFA State Secretary Livia Leu in Brussels for working meetings

17.09.2021 — Press releases EDA
On 17 September 2021, FDFA State Secretary Livia Leu met various members of the European Commission and the European External Action Service in Brussels for talks focusing on relations between Switzerland and the EU.

Science diplomacy: Switzerland supports dialogue to create research centre in south-eastern Europe

13.09.2021 — Press releases EDA
On Monday 13 September, Switzerland hosted a high-level conference in Bern as part of the South East European International Institute for Sustainable Technologies (SEEIIST) project. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attended the conference alongside seven ministers and representatives from ten countries of south-eastern Europe. The SEEIIST project seeks to develop a regional centre of excellence in south-eastern Europe for biomedical research into cancer therapy. At the event, the head of the FDFA restated Switzerland's readiness to facilitate dialogue between the various partner countries for the creation of such a facility.

Resumption of high-level personal contacts with Romania

09.09.2021 — Press releases EDA
On Thursday, 9 September, the Romanian president Klaus Iohannis met with President Guy Parmelin during an official visit to Switzerland. The discussions at Lohn Manor were also attended by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), and Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu. The talks focused on economic and scientific cooperation, the European policies of both countries and international security issues.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis guest speaker at Hungarian Ambassadors' Conference

24.08.2021 — Press releases EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will be a guest speaker at the Hungarian Ambassadors' Conference in Budapest on 27 August. In his address, he will outline the guidelines and thematic focus areas of Switzerland's foreign policy strategy. Mr Cassis will also meet in Budapest with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó and Minister of Justice Judit Varga, whose portfolio includes EU affairs.

Federal Council adopts dispatch on new frontier workers agreement with Italy

11.08.2021 — Press releases Europa
During its meeting on 11 August 2021, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the new frontier workers agreement between Switzerland and Italy. The agreement significantly improves the current regulation on the taxation of frontier workers and contributes to maintaining the good bilateral relations between the two countries.

European policy: Federal Council submits dispatch on approving second Swiss contribution

11.08.2021 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council's European policy agenda includes approving the second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states with a view to continuing the bilateral approach. At its meeting on 11 August, the Federal Council adopted a dispatch to this effect to be brought before Parliament as soon as possible.

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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).

Federal Councillor Baume-Schneider attends the meeting of EU health ministers in Warsaw

25.03.2025 — Press releases Europa
On 24 and 25 March 2025, Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider attended the informal meeting of European Union (EU) health ministers held in Warsaw. The main topics on the agenda were the mental health of children and adolescents, the security in the supply of medicines, and health promotion and disease prevention. The Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs also took this opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts and with the European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare.

Federal Council adopts Dispatch on EU Pact on Migration and Asylum

21.03.2025 — Press releases Europa
The new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum is intended to make the European migration and asylum system more efficient, crisis-resistant and with an effective system of solidarity. As an associated Schengen/Dublin state, Switzerland is obliged to participate in certain areas of the new arrangements. To do so, it must adapt its national legislation. At its meeting on 21 March, the Federal Council adopted a dispatch on the corresponding legal amendments for the attention of Parliament.

Lohnschutz: Bundesrat beschliesst Mass-nahmenpaket

21.03.2025 — Press releases Europa
Der Bundesrat hat an seiner Sitzung vom 21. März 2025 das Massnahmenpaket zur Sicherung des Lohnschutzes verabschiedet. Vierzehn Massnahmen sollen in die Vernehmlassungsvorlage für das Gesamtpaket mit der EU aufgenommen werden. Auf 13 dieser Massnahmen haben sich die Sozialpartner und die Kantone verständigt. Der Bundesrat schlägt eine weitere Massnahme als Teil des Gesamtpakets vor.

State Secretary Hirayama attends informal meeting of EU Ministers for Research and Innovation

11.03.2025 — Press releases Europa
On 10 and 11 March, Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, attended the informal meeting of EU Ministers for Research and Innovation in Warsaw. The main topics of the meeting, which takes place twice a year, were the strategic shape of the next EU R+I Framework Programme, FP10, which begins in 2028, and European competitiveness. State Secretary Hirayama took the opportunity to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from various countries.

Successful European battery project: From raw material to an (almost) finished car battery

27.02.2025 — Press releases Europa
In a four-year EU project led by Empa, eleven collaborators from research and industry succeeded in significantly improving batteries for electric cars. One of the main objectives of the project was to scale up the new materials and technologies so that they can be brought to market as fast as possible.

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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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