Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Deiss finds safety in numbers in Hong Kong

This content was published on Dec 15, 2005 Joseph Deiss, the head of the Swiss delegation at the World Trade Organization (WTO) summit, is representing the interests of the G10 group of net agricultural importers. Switzerland, together with countries such as Japan and Norway which heavily subsidise domestic farming, has come under mounting pressure to abandon agricultural import tariffs. Ahead of the summit…

Swiss Politics

Parliament divided over Swisscom privatisation

This content was published on Dec 14, 2005 The government came in for harsh criticism in parliament during the debate on its plans to fully privatise the telecoms firm. The centre-right Christian Democrats will oppose the sale of the government’s 66.1 per cent stake, its president Doris Leuthard said. The Social Democrats have adopted the same position, promising to force a referendum if…

Swiss Politics

War of words with Tunis heats up

This content was published on Dec 9, 2005 The Swiss ambassador in Tunis was called to the Tunisian foreign ministry late on Thursday after the four had held talks with the Swiss foreign minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey. She had talked with the four, who included two lawyers – Abderraouf Ayadi and Samir Dilou – for 20 minutes. Both had staged a hunger strike with…

Swiss Politics

Emblem deal earns Swiss top marks for effort

This content was published on Dec 8, 2005 The 192 signatories to the Geneva Conventions approved the “red crystal” by a two-thirds majority after efforts to reach consensus without a vote failed. The crystal offers a more neutral symbol for the Israeli emergency services, which do not use the existing red cross or red crescent. Switzerland organised the conference, which wrapped up in…

Swiss Politics

Golden windfall for state pension scheme

This content was published on Dec 8, 2005 The House of Representatives accepted the proposal last week, but the final decision depends on the outcome of a related nationwide vote, likely next year. The senators adopted the government’s compromise proposal without a debate but the result is an interim decision. In January 2005, the centre-left Social Democratic Party launched a people’s initiative which…

Swiss Politics

Red crystal tests Swiss diplomacy

This content was published on Dec 8, 2005 Their decision to withdraw their backing skewered Swiss hopes of adopting the red crystal by consensus. Ten days ago a landmark cooperation agreement – brokered by the Swiss – was signed in Geneva by the Israeli and Palestinian emergency services. Many saw this as removing the last remaining barrier preventing all the signatory states to…

Swiss Politics

New Red Cross emblem leaves bitter taste

This content was published on Dec 8, 2005 The Swiss government said it was betrayed by a number of Middle East countries after adoption of the “red crystal” had to be put to a vote rather than accepted by consensus. The vote in the early hours of Thursday morning followed three days of often bitter wrangling in Geneva. The emblem was finally adopted…

Swiss Politics

Quake victims face “race for survival”

This content was published on Dec 7, 2005 The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) says it is racing against time to provide shelter for survivors. Last week the International Organisation for Migration said that most of the tents being given to some of the 3.5 million people made homeless in northwest Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir were not designed to cope with…

Swiss Politics

Leuenberger elected 2006 Swiss president

This content was published on Dec 7, 2005 Leuenberger received 159 of 225 valid votes for the largely ceremonial post, which is shared among the seven cabinet ministers on a one-year, rotating basis. The 59-year-old Social Democrat from Zurich has been a cabinet minister since 1995 when he replaced Otto Stich. Leuenberger is the minister in charge of transport, energy, communications and environment…

Swiss Politics

Calls to boost the role of sport

This content was published on Dec 6, 2005 The three-day meeting marked the end of the United Nations International Year of Sport. The conference adopted a ten-point programme, dubbed “Call to action”, on Tuesday. It appealed to all parties concerned to use the legacy of the UN International Year of Sport to promote peace worldwide, and recognise the role of sport in education…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

More

Deiss finds safety in numbers in Hong Kong

More

Parliament divided over Swisscom privatisation

More

War of words with Tunis heats up

More

Emblem deal earns Swiss top marks for effort

More

Golden windfall for state pension scheme

More

Red crystal tests Swiss diplomacy

More

New Red Cross emblem leaves bitter taste

More

Quake victims face “race for survival”

More

Leuenberger elected 2006 Swiss president

More

Calls to boost the role of sport

Popular Stories

Most Discussed