Cluster: Geopolitics

Swiss step up sanction measures

This content was published on Mar 6, 2015 “This decision… extends the measures introduced following Switzerland’s non-recognition of Russia’s annexation of the Crimea, an act which contravenes international law,” said a statement from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)External link. “All foreign investment in the Crimea and Sevastopol is now prohibited. Service bans apply in the investment and tourism branches, and in…

Foreign Affairs

‘Reckless’ hostage loses appeal for lost pay

This content was published on Mar 5, 2015 The Federal Court, based in Lausanne, rejected an appeal by the 35-year-old police officer, David Och, who was taken captive in 2011 along with his companion, Daniela Widmer. In March 2012, the Swiss couple turned up at an army post close to the Afghan border, claiming to have escaped from their captors, but Taliban commanders…

Foreign Affairs

Swiss jihadist ‘holding wife hostage in Syria’

This content was published on Mar 5, 2015 “I want to go home – please help me,” said the 22-year-old woman from Stuttgart in an audio clip sent to her family that was broadcasted on Swiss public television’s Rundschau news programme on Wednesday evening. According to research by Rundschau and Germany’s Stuttgarter Nachrichten newspaper, the woman has been in the Idlib region of…

Foreign Affairs

More war materiel exported, less approved

This content was published on Feb 26, 2015 Most of it (CHF187million) went to Germany in the form of armoured vehicles, yet the most dramatic figures pertain to second-best customer Indonesia. The southeast Asian country ordered CHF121million in Swiss war materiel in 2014 – compared with CHF157,000 in 2013. Indonesia’s purchases included an anti-aircraft system and various handguns, small arms and other-caliber weapons.…

Foreign Affairs

Swiss foreign minister calls for broad anti-terror strategy

This content was published on Feb 19, 2015 The murder of innocent men, women and children and the enormous suffering of civilians at the hands of terrorist groups is not justified by any religion and is unacceptable, according to Burkhalter. Extremist groups in Syria, Iraq and Nigeria have become major drivers of war, and attacks by radical individuals pose a threat to both…

Foreign Affairs

Swiss negotiator hopeful after tough Ukraine talks

This content was published on Feb 13, 2015 She described the agreement as a “complete package of measures” to put the terms of last September’s Minsk Protocol agreement into practice. That agreement included a 12-point plan involving a cease-fire, a neutral monitoring zone, early elections and a reconstruction programme, among other steps. Tagliavini, who was appointed to represent to Organisation for Security and…

Foreign Affairs

Swiss cabinet adds jet fuel ban to Syria sanctions

This content was published on Feb 12, 2015 The Swiss cabinet has added a ban on the sale of jet fuel and fuel additives to the list of sanctions against the Syrian government.

Opinion

Foreign Affairs

Switzerland as a symbol of peace and Switzerland 2.0

This content was published on Feb 9, 2015 The recent negotiations in Geneva and Zurich on Iran’s nuclear program have focused attention on the role of Switzerland as a site for diplomacy. Going back to the famous Alabama Claims following the American Civil War (1861-1865), Switzerland, especially Geneva, has hosted numerous arbitrations and negotiations – some public, many off the record. While neutrality…

Foreign Affairs

Ukrainian president praises Western values

This content was published on Jan 19, 2015 Poroshenko described himself as a president of peace, not war, who fights for Western values like freedom, democracy and tolerance. Ukraine is in the middle of a process of transformation, said Poroshenko, and needs the support of Europe. The Ukrainian president took part in the January 11 march for tolerance in Paris following the terrorist…

Foreign Affairs

Details of terror plot revealed in suspects’ appeals

This content was published on Jan 19, 2015 The court had stated in all three cases that they had reasonable suspicion to believe that the Iraqis were supporting a terrorist organisation, the Islamic State (IS) – and that they were planning an attack in Europe. The court also found it highly likely that the men would flee and plan further illegal activities if…

Cluster: Geopolitics

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