Events and travel
Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider on a working visit to Greece
Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider will travel to Greece on 1 and 2 November for a working visit. The trip will focus on the challenges associated with migration. Switzerland is financially supporting Greece, a country that lies on Schengen’s external border, in addressing these challenges. The programme will include bilateral talks with the Greek minister of migration and asylum, Dimitris Kairidis, and a visit to various facilities in Athens and Lesbos.
Switzerland and North Macedonia conclude migration partnership
Switzerland and North Macedonia are now linked by a migration partnership. Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter and the Minister of the Interior of North Macedonia, Oliver Spasovski, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to this effect on 7 November in Bern. Switzerland has thus now concluded migration partnerships with four Western Balkan countries.
Federal Councillor Keller-Sutter on a working visit to Nigeria
Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter is attending the event on 23 March in the Nigerian capital Abuja to mark the tenth anniversary of the migration partnership with Nigeria. The partnership has become a model for success in Switzerland’s foreign policy on migration.
Federal Council delegation meets new EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Davos
A delegation of the Federal Council led by President Simonetta Sommaruga today met with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Ms Sommaruga was accompanied at the meeting, which took place during the WEF Annual Meeting, by federal councillors Ignazio Cassis and Karin Keller-Sutter. Talks focused on the state of bilateral relations between Switzerland the EU, particularly with regard to the institutional agreement. They also discussed joint efforts to tackle climate change. Cooperation in the field of migration should be continued.
Federal Councillor Keller-Sutter on a working visit to London: Switzerland strengthens cooperation with the UK
The United Kingdom and Switzerland intend to work more closely on fighting terrorism and crime. On 10 July, the head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police FDJP, Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter, was in London to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to this effect with her British counterpart. She also signed an agreement on mutual access to the UK and Swiss labour markets in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Federal Council receives Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein for state visit
On Wednesday, 3 April, His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein was welcomed to Switzerland by the full Federal Council led by President Ueli Maurer. The Hereditary Prince, who performs the duties of head of state, is being accompanied on the visit by his spouse, Her Royal Highness Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein, and a high-ranking delegation from the Principality. During official talks at the Bernerhof the delegations acknowledged the 100th anniversary of bilateral relations and discussed European affairs and cooperation between the two countries in an international context.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi visits Bern
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi paid a visit to Bern on 20 December 2018. He held talks with Federal Councillors Ignazio Cassis and Simonetta Sommaruga, and met with President of the National Council Marina Carobbio Guscetti.
Federal Council receives German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier
On Wednesday, 25 April, the German president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, arrived in Switzerland for a state visit, accompanied by his wife, Elke Büdenbender, and was greeted by the Federal Council, led by President Alain Berset. Official talks focused on bilateral relations, European policy, and cooperation between the two countries in an international context. Both sides stressed the advantages arising from their intensive cooperation.
3rd meeting of the Central Mediterranean Contact Group, 13 November 2017 in Bern
Tunisian President Béji Caid Essebsi on state visit to Switzerland
Bern. The Federal Council, led by President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, today received the Tunisian president, Béji Caid Essebsi, on a state visit. Relations between Switzerland and Tunesia have grown closer since Tunisia began its transition to democracy and the rule of law following the revolution of 2011, a process that has since been recognised with the award of a Nobel Peace Prize.
President Sommaruga: "The climate conference is an historic opportunity"
Bern. President Simonetta Sommaruga represented Switzerland at the meeting of heads of state and government at the start of the 21st UN Climate Change Conference (COP 21) in Paris. In her speech, she called for the conclusion of a universal and binding climate protection agreement. Global warming and the related consequences for humankind and the environment are among the most urgent challenges faced by the international community today, said Ms Sommaruga in Paris on Monday. All countries are therefore called upon to make an effective contribution to limiting climate change.
President Sommaruga to meet US Attorney General Loretta Lynch
Berne. President Simonetta Sommaruga, head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP), met the US Attorney General, Loretta Lynch, for talks in Zurich on Monday. The meeting on the margins of the 20th Annual Conference of the International Association of Prosecutors, being held in Switzerland this year, focused on a number of justice and security issues.
Summit to adopt the 2030 agenda and UN General Assembly: Switzerland commits to sustainable development
Bern. The President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, will represent Switzerland at the UN summit meeting from 25 to 27 September 2015 in New York to adopt the sustainable development goals for the period to 2030. On 28 September, at the opening of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly, she will present Switzerland's priorities in the context of the UN for the coming year. Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will represent Switzerland during this ministerial week in New York at various events on current themes and will hold bilateral talks.
Official visit to Bern by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein
Bern. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, made his first official working visit to Bern on 25 August 2015. He met President of the Swiss Confederation Simonetta Sommaruga, FDFA State Secretary Yves Rossier, as well as members of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the National Council and Council of States. At their meeting, the High Commissioner and the State Secretary signed an agreement setting out Switzerland's contribution to the opening of a regional OHCHR office in Honduras.
Ambassadors and International Network Conference in the presence of German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Bern, 17.08.2015. On Monday, 17 August 2015, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter opened the Ambassadors and International Network Conference in Bern, with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in attendance as guest speaker. The theme of this year’s four-day conference is “Switzerland and the world – excellence in the service of solidarity”. After the opening of the conference on Monday, Mr Burkhalter and his German counterpart met for bilateral talks. Mr Steinmeier then paid the President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, a courtesy visit.
Official working visit to Switzerland by the Slovak foreign minister
Berne. On Thursday, 25 June 2015, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter received Slovakia ’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miroslav Lajčák, for an official visit to Switzerland. In addition to bilateral relations, the main agenda item was Switzerland’s policy on the European Union (EU). Slovakia will assume the presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2016. Talks also covered various regional and multilateral issues as well as current international affairs. Afterwards, Mr Lajčák paid the President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, a courtesy visit.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov received in Bern
Bern. President of the Swiss Confederation Simonetta Sommaruga and Vice President of the Federal Council Johann N. Schneider-Ammann met the Bulgarian prime minister Boyko Borissov for talks today Monday in Bern. The discussion between Mr Borissov and Ms Sommaruga focused on Swiss and Bulgarian European policy and migration issues. Mr Schneider-Amman, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, addressed the two countries’ bilateral trade relations, and vocational education and training.
Cultural event in honour of the Diplomatic Corps at the KKL in Lucerne
Bern. Acoustics, architecture and direct democracy: these were the main themes of this year’s cultural event in honour of the diplomatic corps. The unifying element was the venue of the event – the Culture and Convention Centre KKL Luzern – where President Simonetta Sommaruga had invited the accredited foreign ambassadors to Switzerland on Wednesday. Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), was also present at the cultural event in Lucerne.
Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev pays official visit to Bern
Bern. President Simonetta Sommaruga today received the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Almazbek Atambaev, on an official visit to Bern. President Atambaev then held talks with Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, where discussions covered bilateral relations, the democratic process in the Kyrgyz Republic, development cooperation and cooperation in international organisations.
President of the Swiss Confederation dedicates memorial to the victims of the coach disaster in Sierre
Bern. About 130 family members and friends of the victims of the coach accident in Sierre three years ago gathered on Friday for an official memorial event in Valais. The event, at which a monument was unveiled near the Auguste Piccard amphitheatre in Sierre, was attended by Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, Dutch State Secretary for Education, Culture and Science Sander Dekker, President Simonetta Sommaruga and representatives of the Canton of Valais.
Swiss Federal Council Member Sommaruga at the Conference on Police Co-operation in South-Eastern Europe
Berne. On Tuesday, Swiss Federal Minister of Police and Justice, Simonetta Sommaruga, attended the Ministerial Conference on Regional Police Co-operation in South-Eastern Europe in Opatija, Croatia. Switzerland organised the Conference jointly with Croatia. On the fringes of the Conference, Sommaruga discussed Croatian citizens' access to the Swiss labour market with the Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Vesna Pusić, and the Croatian Minister of the Interior, Ranko Ostojić. On this occasion, matters concerning the referendum of 9 February were also discussed.
Official visit to Bern by the President of Germany, Joachim Gauck
Bern. On 1 April 2014, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr Didier Burkhalter, welcomed the Federal President of Germany, Mr Joachim Gauck, for an official visit. Their talks, which were also attended by Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga, focused on the varied and close relations between Switzerland and Germany. The meeting was also an opportunity for an exchange of views about direct democracy, Europe's international responsibility and the role of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which is chaired by Switzerland this year.
