Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Bilateral route unlikely to survive EU enlargement

This content was published on Apr 2, 2004 But experts say that after “Bilaterals II” Switzerland will struggle to advance its interests with a Union preoccupied with integrating ten new members after May 1. The Swiss cabinet on Thursday signalled that a deal was not far off, after nearly three years of difficult negotiations on agreements ranging from savings taxation to judicial assistance.…

Swiss Politics

Cabinet newcomers steer clear of controversy

This content was published on Apr 2, 2004 Their first three months in office have been characterised by a surprising lack of confrontation, but the general view is that battle has yet to be joined. It was expected that sparks would fly in the new-look cabinet, elected by parliament on December 10 last year. In a political upset, instead of two representatives from…

Swiss Politics

Diplomat puts positive spin on Bürgenstock talks

This content was published on Apr 1, 2004 As five days of intense negotiations in Switzerland drew to an end, swissinfo asked Pfirter for his assessment of how the talks had gone. Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders left the Bürgenstock resort near Lake Lucerne without having reached an agreement on the UN’s 9,000-page plan. But Pfirter believes there is still time to iron…

Swiss Politics

Cabinet stands firm over EU accords

This content was published on Apr 1, 2004 Meeting on Wednesday evening, it resisted pressure from the EU and from the eurosceptic Right to change its position. The EU has called on Switzerland to sign an agreement on the taxation of savings as a first step towards wrapping up negotiations. “The government reiterated its firm intention to successfully conclude negotiations with the EU,”…

Swiss Politics

Swiss abroad flex their muscles

This content was published on Mar 28, 2004 The Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA) rejected moves to give expatriates more political power, preferring instead to increase their lobbying efforts. The CSA – an assembly representing expatriates’ interests at home – said that Switzerland’s sizeable expatriate population was still not adequately represented in its homeland. In the last years there have been calls…

Swiss Politics

Politics is a man’s world

This content was published on Mar 28, 2004 And as party president, Ueli Maurer, made clear in an interview with swissinfo, the fact that the party is now fully represented in government changes nothing. Five months after the People’s Party triumphed in parliamentary elections, its rhetoric has become less provocative and strident. But that is primarily because its figurehead, Christoph Blocher, has had…

Cantons call for new debate on EU membership

This content was published on Mar 25, 2004 At the cantonal governments’ conference they demanded a clearer European policy and warned that the bilateral agreements with the EU would lead nowhere. “The cantons don’t see an alternative to EU membership,” said Hans Martin Tschudi, a parliamentarian from Basel. During their regular meeting 12 cantons expressed support for EU membership, eight were opposed to…

Swiss Politics

Resort offers peaceful setting for Cyprus talks

This content was published on Mar 23, 2004 It is not the first peace conference, and probably will not be the last, to be held in one of Switzerland’s grand hotels. The United Nations-sponsored talks involving Cypriot, Turkish and Greek leaders are probably the last chance to resolve differences ahead of the island’s accession to the European Union on May 1. As a…

Swiss Politics

Swiss mount joint response to German dispute

This content was published on Mar 22, 2004 Monday’s discussions come ahead of high-level talks between Germany and Switzerland next month. The meeting brought together the Swiss president, Joseph Deiss, the foreign minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey, the transport minister, Moritz Leuenberger, as well as the seven Swiss cantons which have borders with Germany. Deiss said it was important to decide on a common strategy…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland sidelined by EU enlargement

This content was published on Mar 22, 2004 At a press conference on Monday, Micheline Calmy-Rey said that recent disagreements with Germany had underscored the impact of staying outside the bloc. “As the EU welcomes ten new members in May, its centre of gravity will inevitably shift towards the east,” Calmy-Rey told reporters in Geneva. “And as a result, problems of national importance…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Bilateral route unlikely to survive EU enlargement

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Cabinet newcomers steer clear of controversy

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Diplomat puts positive spin on Bürgenstock talks

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Cabinet stands firm over EU accords

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Swiss abroad flex their muscles

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Politics is a man’s world

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Cantons call for new debate on EU membership

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Resort offers peaceful setting for Cyprus talks

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Swiss mount joint response to German dispute

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Switzerland sidelined by EU enlargement

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