Eurojust supports return of archaeological vases and coins to Italian museum
Eurojust has supported Italian authorities with the return of over 2500 precious ancient coins, vases and small sculptures that had…
Switzerland–EU: Swiss Federal Council takes stock
In most dossiers, negotiations are well advanced. Negotiations on the free movement of persons, electricity and Switzerland's contribution to cohesion…
U.S. Treasury targets sanctions evaders and Russian producers supporting Russia’s military industrial base
Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned 275 individuals and entities involved in supplying Russia with advanced technology and…
Switzerland maintains the protection status S for Ukrainian refugees
As the situation in Ukraine is not expected to change in the foreseeable future, the Swiss Federal Council decided at…
Swiss Federal Council approves Switzerland’s participation in two EU PESCO projects
The Federal Council approved Switzerland's participation in two EU Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) projects. The two projects--Military Mobility and Cyber…
Philip Schotland appointed as new Swiss Liaison Prosecutor at Eurojust
Philip Schotland took up his duties as the new Liaison Prosecutor for Switzerland at Eurojust today. He succeeds Mr Sébastien…
Swiss Federal Council finds interim solution for withholding tax on too-big-to-fail tools
During its meeting on 21 August 2024, the Federal Council approved a temporary extension of the special rules on withholding…
Paul Scherrer Institute: Where should hydrogen be produced in the future?
Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have analysed which regions of the world could produce hydrogen most cost-effectively in…
Swiss-US Data Privacy Framework enters into force
The new Data Privacy Framework allows for the secure exchange of personal data between Switzerland and certified US companies. The…
Large-scale anti-mafia operation leads to arrest and freezing of €50m – Eurojust
A two-year investigation has uncovered an intricate money laundering scheme run by a mafia family from Palermo. The total value…
European Innovation Scoreboard: Performance improving, but at different speeds
A broader analysis, including other European countries and selected global competitors, shows a changing landscape. Switzerland appears as the most innovative European…
Switzerland: IMF Executive Board concludes 2024 Article IV Consultation
Swiss growth is expected to recover gradually to 1.3 percent in 2024 (1 percent adjusted for sports events) and 1.4…
Swiss Summit on Peace in Ukraine agrees on common positions and next steps
At the close of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine on Sunday, 16 June, the vast majority of participating states…
Switzerland: IMF Executive Board concludes 2024 Article IV Consultation
Swiss risks are broadly balanced amid high uncertainty. In the short term, downside risks arise from intensification of regional conflicts…
Authorities dismantle a €113m fraudulent investment scheme – Eurojust
A fraudulent pyramid scheme was taken down by authorities from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czechia, Lithuania and Liechtenstein, with the support…
Eurostat reports a decrease in import and export of bicycles in 2023
In 2023, the EU exported €1.03 billion worth of bicycles (both electric and non-electric), marking a 10% decrease compared with…
Diplomatic rotation: EU HR Borrell nominated new Heads of EU Delegations
Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, nominated 44 Heads of…
European Court of Human Rights: Rulings in three climate change cases
The Court found that the Swiss Confederation had failed to comply with its “positive obligations” under the Convention concerning climate…
Switzerland: IMF staff concluding statement of the 2024 Article IV Mission
The resumption of negotiations of Switzerland with the EU is a welcome step to strengthen the economic partnership, secure participation…
IMF highlights challenges to Switzerland’s fiscal policy and financial stability
According to the IMF, Switzerland's fiscal policy strikes the balance between avoiding excessive cuts that could jeopardise the economic recovery…
Switzerland stands firm on nuclear weapons treaty direction
On the basis of a new comprehensive reassessment, the Federal Council decided at its meeting on 27 March 2024, that…
ENTSO-E welcomes negotiations on an EU-Swiss electricity agreement
ENTSO-E welcomes the opening of discussions between the EU and Switzerland and in particular the work on an electricity agreement…
The EU and Switzerland launch negotiations to deepen bilateral relations
President Ursula von der Leyen and President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd launched today the negotiations on a broad package of…
Bundeskabinett stimmt Gaslieferungen zwischen Deutschland, Italien und der Schweiz zu
Der Bundesminister für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz, Robert Habeck, und seine Ministerkollegen Albert Rösti, Schweizer Bundesrat für Umwelt, Verkehr, Energie und…
EU and Switzerland adopt their mandates for negotiations on future relations
The Commission welcomes the Council's decision authorising the European Union to enter into negotiations with Switzerland on a broad package…
Platform chemicals from CO2: Defects welcome
Is it possible to convert CO2 back to fuels or other useful chemicals? Absolutely – but not in a very…
Switzerland seen from abroad in 2023: Media focus on Credit Suisse and the war in Ukraine
In 2023, Switzerland received enormous attention in the international media due to the collapse of Credit Suisse and its consequences.…
Ukraine: Switzerland implements the EU’s 13th package of sanctions
The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), which is responsible for sanctions, decided on 29 February to…
55th session of the UN Statistical Commission – Switzerland elected Chair of the UN Statistical Commission
The 55th session of the United Nations Statistical Commission opened on Monday 27 February 2024 with the election of its…
Switzerland condemns use of chemical weapons in Syria
Switzerland takes note of the fourth report of the Investigation and Identification Team of the Organisation for the Prohibition of…
Switzerland: Federal Council seeks to improve the effectiveness in international cooperation
The Federal Council has instructed the relevant departments to improve the methods used with a view to ensuring that the…
Sanctions against Syria: Switzerland extends temporary humanitarian exemption by six months
The Federal Council decided on 10 March 2023 to include the EU's temporary humanitarian exemption in the ordinance on measures…
LockBit: Eurojust and Europol supports global operation disrupting ransomware group
In a coordinated action supported by Eurojust and Europol, judicial and law enforcement authorities from 10 different countries have severely disrupted…
Switzerland intensifies international cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of international crimes
Switzerland wants to play an even greater role in the investigation and prosecution of international crimes. Corinne Cicéron Bühler, Switzerland’s…
Switzerland and Norway emphasise common values and interests
The ties between Switzerland and Norway have deep historical roots. Both sides acknowledged this and emphasised their shared values and…
Decline in social expenditure in 2022 in Switzerland and Europe
Expenditure on social benefits in Switzerland reached CHF 207.8 billion in 2022, a decline of CHF 4.2 billion (–2.0%) on…
Swiss Federal Council signs immunity agreement with Afghan Fund
The board of trustees of the Afghan Fund is responsible for determining the specific allocation of the funds. It ensures…
Ukraine: Switzerland implements the EU’s 12th package of sanctions
The Federal Council adopted further sanctions against Russia at its meeting on 31 January. This is in response to Russia's…
Swiss Federal Council boosts defence and cooperation
As a neutral state, Switzerland strives to ensure its defence independently. If attacked, however, it is free to organise its…
Switzerland and China strengthen ties ahead of 75th anniversary
On Monday, 15 January, a Federal Council delegation led by President Viola Amherd received a Chinese delegation led by Premier…
Switzerland announces candidacy for Secretary General of Council of Europe
The Council of Europe promotes human rights, democracy and the rule of law in its 46 member states. Within the…
COP28: Global stocktake with commitment to expand renewable energy capacity
The 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) came to a close in Dubai on 13 December. The main topics discussed…
Swiss industrial tariffs abolished
While preparing its dispatch the Federal Council commissioned a number of studies on the impacts of removing industrial tariffs. Based…
Ukraine: Switzerland expands sanctions listings
As part of a 12th package of sanctions adopted on 18 December, the EU imposed new measures in response to…
EU Commission proposes mandate for negotiations with Switzerland to EU Council
The adoption of the Commission Recommendation and the mandate proposal follows the conclusion of the exploratory talks on the future…
Switzerland: New research initiative “Mining the Atmosphere”
If we want to achieve our climate goals and prevent irreversible changes to the Earth's climate system, we not only…
Swiss Federal Council wishes to reduce the geopolitical risks associated with digital infrastructure
The Federal Council intends to strengthen the security of Switzerland's telecommunications and digital infrastructures. At its meeting on 15 December…