Cluster: Swiss Abroad

EU plays down warning to Switzerland over tax evasion

This content was published on Feb 23, 2001 Fischler’s comments, made during a visit to Bern on Friday, come after the EU’s foreign affairs commissioner, Chris Patten, hinted that a delay in opening talks on those issues could hold up the ratification of seven bilateral accords agreed between Switzerland and the EU. In a letter to the Swiss foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, Patten…

Swiss Politics

Geneva parliament approves new museum after heated debate

This content was published on Feb 23, 2001 The project is expected to cost SFr103 million ($61 million), and over half of the funding will come from the municipality. The sum is higher than anticipated, but objections to the project were not only on financial grounds. A Christian Democrat member of the city parliament, Guy Mettan, said the new building would clash with…

Swiss Politics

Brussels steps up pressure on Switzerland over tax evasion

This content was published on Feb 23, 2001 In what is being seen as a veiled warning to Switzerland, Patten hinted that a delay in new negotiations could hold up the ratification of seven bilateral accords agreed between Switzerland and the EU. In a letter to the Swiss foreign ministry, he wrote: “Any further delay could have a serious negative impact on the…

Swiss Politics

EU urges talks on further accords

This content was published on Feb 22, 2001 In an open letter to the Swiss foreign ministry, EU commissioner Chris Patten said that Brussels wanted to launch talks to secure a second set of bilateral treaties. The commissioner for external relations said the two should discuss issues such as customs fraud and a halt to tax evasion. Patten’s remarks follow calls earlier this…

Swiss Politics

More French-speaking Swiss turn away from Europe initiative

This content was published on Feb 22, 2001 According to a poll by the newspapers “Le Temps” and the “TagesAnzeiger”, many people living in western Switzerland have changed their minds in the past month. The initiative calls for an immediate start to talks on joining the EU. The Swiss government opposes the measure, saying it does not want to start negotiations before 2004.…

Swiss Politics

Orange blues for Expo 2002

This content was published on Feb 21, 2001 Orange told Expo on February 14th that it was pulling out of its sponsorship deal, which would have involved the company staging an exhibition at the event. It added that it was ready to fight its decision in the courts if necessary. Laurent Paoliello, a spokesman for Expo 02, said they were confused by the…

Russia demands payment for Swiss aid destined for Georgia

This content was published on Feb 20, 2001 The Swiss defence ministry said on Tuesday that Bern was also being told to pay charges for having described the cargo incorrectly. The payment demand goes against a deal agreed earlier this month by the Russian foreign minister, Igor Ivanov, during a meeting in Bern with his Swiss counterpart, Joseph Deiss. Russian authorities stopped the…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland pledges SFr50 million to Albania

This content was published on Feb 20, 2001 Switzerland pledged the money on Tuesday after Bern and Tirana signed an accord covering technical and financial cooperation, as well as humanitarian aid. The head of the agency, Walter Fust, and his Albanian counterpart, Ermelinda Meksi, signed the agreement in Tirana. Switzerland has invested SFr120 million in Albania over the last nine years. The funds…

Swiss Politics

Foreign population approaches 1.4 million

This content was published on Feb 20, 2001 The latest figures, released by the Federal Aliens Office on Tuesday, show that foreigners make up 19.3 per cent of the Swiss population, 0.1 per cent more than in 1999. German nationals made up the biggest increase in absolute terms, with six percent more moving to Switzerland last year than in 1999. The number of…

Swiss Politics

Ticino voters reject subsidies for private schools

This content was published on Feb 19, 2001 A counter-initiative launched by the cantonal government was also rejected by 72.3 per cent of the population. As a result of the vote, parents who send their children to private schools will not receive state subsidies to help pay the fees. On a federal level, the issue has also been the subject of heated debate.…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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