Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Deiss in New York for talks on UN membership

This content was published on Sep 8, 2000 Deiss’s official programme starts on Monday with a meeting of the UN Development Programme. Switzerland is represented on the body’s executive council and this year contributed SFr52 million ($30 million) to further its work. Switzerland’s relations with the UN, and possible future membership of the organisation, will be at the centre of discussions on Thursday…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland seeks greater ties with United Nations

This content was published on Sep 8, 2000 In the first address by a Swiss president to the United Nations general assembly, Ogi said on Thursday that while Switzerland still only had observer status at the UN, its people would vote in two years’ time on full membership. He reminded leaders attending the summit of Switzerland’s commitment and links to the UN. Ogi…

Swiss Politics

Novartis boss awarded conscience prize

This content was published on Sep 8, 2000 Vasella was honoured for his sense of social responsibility as chairman and CEO of one of the world’s largest life sciences multinationals. Vasella was presented with the prize by Henry Kissinger at an award ceremony attended by the Swiss president, Adolf Ogi, the UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, and a host of other leaders and…

Swiss Politics

Transfer system not yet dead, says UEFA

This content was published on Sep 7, 2000 Last week, the world governing body, FIFA, appeared to have caved in to demands from the European Commission that transfer fees be scrapped because they infringe EU rules on the free movement of labour. The announcement by FIFA’s Swiss president, Sepp Blatter, was greeted with predictions of chaos. An end to the transfer system would…

Swiss Politics

Northern Iraq seen as safe for repatriations of asylum seekers

This content was published on Sep 7, 2000 The refugee appeals commission said on Thursday that forced repatriations of people whose asylum requests had been rejected was now acceptable. It added, however, that each case should be treated individually. The commission said the two parts of northern Iraq, controlled by the rival Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, could be…

Swiss Politics

Swiss hopeful of Red Cross emblem solution

This content was published on Sep 6, 2000 Two days of consultations, hosted by Switzerland in Geneva, ended without any apparent breakthrough on the issue. Resolution of the problem would pave the way for the admission of Israel into the Red Cross fold. “No country has closed the door to the adoption of a third emblem,” said the Swiss ambassador, Nicolas Michel, who…

Swiss Politics

Initiative calls for more choice for voters

This content was published on Sep 6, 2000 Supporters of the initiative argued that voters should be allowed to approve or turn down parts of a proposal, and not have to take an all-or-nothing approach. The initiative was launched in the wake of a vote on revising the old age pension scheme. Although that proposal was accepted, centre-left parties argued that many voted…

Swiss Politics

Direct democracy – Swiss style

This content was published on Sep 6, 2000 A people’s initiative provides members of the public with an opportunity to influence political decision-making at the highest level. Introduced in 1891, this right is, however, limited to changes to the constitution. It takes at least 100,000 valid signatures to force a nationwide vote on a proposal. The signatures have to be collected within 18…

Swiss Politics

Government signals nationwide vote on Swisscom privatisation

This content was published on Sep 6, 2000 It hopes the decision, announced on Wednesday, will prevent lengthy political and legal wrangling. Legal experts had argued it would be unconstitutional for the government to give up its majority share in Swisscom or introduce postal banking services without the approval of the Swiss people and cantons. The government said a parliamentary debate on whether…

Swiss Politics

Idea of e-government gathers pace

This content was published on Sep 6, 2000 The cabinet on Wednesday earmarked more than SFr50 million for the measures over the next four years. A limited number of electronic services will come into effect next year. The aim is to enable citizens to get information from the authorities over the Internet rather than over an office counter or via conventional mail or…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Deiss in New York for talks on UN membership

More

Switzerland seeks greater ties with United Nations

More

Novartis boss awarded conscience prize

More

Transfer system not yet dead, says UEFA

More

Northern Iraq seen as safe for repatriations of asylum seekers

More

Swiss hopeful of Red Cross emblem solution

More

Initiative calls for more choice for voters

More

Direct democracy – Swiss style

More

Government signals nationwide vote on Swisscom privatisation

More

Idea of e-government gathers pace

Popular Stories

Most Discussed