Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Swiss welcome progress on UN emergency fund

This content was published on Jan 12, 2006 The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on Thursday that it hopes the fund will be up and running in February. To date around $200 million has been pledged by member states, including $4 million from the Swiss government. The Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) is designed to ensure that the UN…

Swiss Politics

Government seeks to tighten gun laws

This content was published on Jan 11, 2006 Bowing to resistance from lobby groups, the cabinet decided against a plan to create a central national weapons register. The cabinet said it was opposed to the database on the grounds that the time and effort it would require would greatly outweigh the benefit. If accepted by parliament, the amended law will bring Switzerland into…

Swiss Politics

Swiss see progress on UN human rights body

This content was published on Jan 11, 2006 Negotiations on the proposed Human Rights Council aimed at defining its parameters and composition resumed in New York on Wednesday. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced in December that the creation of “an effective, impartial Human Rights Council” was a top priority for 2006. It would replace the 53-member Human Rights Commission, which has been widely…

Swiss Politics

Press speculate on post-Sharon era

This content was published on Jan 6, 2006 Many believe that Sharon, despite a controversial history, is the only figure who could have brought the Middle East closer to peace. The Neue Zürcher Zeitung says the likely end of Sharon’s political career will leave a huge gap: “The bulldozer will be sorely missed.” The paper says he achieved what no other Israeli politician…

Swiss Politics

What future for Middle East peace?

This content was published on Jan 5, 2006 But representatives of Switzerland’s Jewish community as well as Palestinian and Israeli lobby groups agree that it is impossible to foresee the next moves. In November Sharon broke with the conservative Likud bloc to set up the more moderate Kadima party. The new grouping was considered the frontrunner for the March 28 parliamentary election. Many…

Swiss Politics

Sri Lanka looks set for renewed civil war

This content was published on Jan 5, 2006 Franz Baer, who was sent to the country to clear landmines, believes the situation could soon spiral out of control again. Tensions between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil rebel forces have reached boiling point after the assassination of the country’s foreign minister and the election of a new hard line president last year. Five…

Swiss Politics

Swiss cross stands for unity

This content was published on Jan 1, 2006 In his New Year’s Day address, Leuenberger said the country’s strength lay in its commitment to the state and public services. Referring to an official photograph of the cabinet grouped around a Swiss cross, Leuenberger said this symbolised the unity and agreement which should be at the heart of the state. “We are working together…

EU challenge for Switzerland’s neighbour

This content was published on Dec 31, 2005 Switzerland is as yet unsure how this development will affect the good relations it has traditionally enjoyed with its neighbour to the east. Austria will hold the presidency for six months, before handing on the baton to Finland. The legacy left by Britain is a difficult one. Although the EU managed to resolve its budget…

Swiss Politics

2006 president seeks consensus in cabinet

This content was published on Dec 31, 2005 Leuenberger – a Social Democrat – said he was happy that all seven members of the four-party cabinet stood by the principle of collegiality. The cabinet includes two members of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party, which opposed Leuenberger’s appointment as president. The party has criticised the transport minister for the way he has handled his…

Swiss Politics

Where to now for Swiss-EU relations?

This content was published on Dec 31, 2005 The EU is urging non-member Switzerland to decide what kind of relationship it wants with the 25-nation bloc in the long term. The Swiss government plans to publish a report on that very question in 2006. In theory, the options range from doing very little – adding a few more treaties to two packages of…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Swiss welcome progress on UN emergency fund

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Government seeks to tighten gun laws

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Swiss see progress on UN human rights body

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Press speculate on post-Sharon era

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What future for Middle East peace?

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Sri Lanka looks set for renewed civil war

More

Swiss cross stands for unity

More

EU challenge for Switzerland’s neighbour

More

2006 president seeks consensus in cabinet

More

Where to now for Swiss-EU relations?

Popular Stories

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