Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Rhine accord renewed after 25 years

This content was published on Sep 21, 2000 Representatives of the three countries met in Basel on Thursday to sign the accord, which expands the powers of the tripartite commission governing the vital waterway. The Swiss foreign ministry described joint operations in the region, where all three countries meet, as a “model of cross-border cooperation”. International law expert, Kurt Hoechner, told swissinfo that…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland convenes conference on Red Cross emblem debate

This content was published on Sep 21, 2000 Diplomatic sources said on Thursday the invitations had been issued, despite the failure to make much progress during two days of consultations on the issue earlier this month. At the end of that meeting, Switzerland had declared its intention to call a conference by the end of October, but warned that a great deal of…

Swiss Politics

Deiss speaks out on foreigners initiative

This content was published on Sep 20, 2000 Speaking in Zurich on Wednesday, Deiss said that if the measure was adopted in a referendum scheduled for Sunday, it would send “a false signal to Europe”. He warned that such a measure could give Switzerland more trouble with the bilateral treaties which the country has signed with the European Union. Nonetheless, Deiss conceded that…

Swiss Politics

Government boost for film industry

This content was published on Sep 20, 2000 Dreifuss told the Senate that the government would ask parliament to gradually increase the film budget over the next four years, from SFr21.5 million now to SFr32.5 million in 2004. She admitted that although the increase was considerable, the level of subsidies remained modest. The funds are not only used to assist the production of…

Swiss Politics

Senate favours eight-week paid maternity leave

This content was published on Sep 19, 2000 Tuesday’s debate in the Senate showed the impossibility of reconciling the opposing camps. In outline, one side called for a minimalist approach of eight weeks of paid maternity leave. Others demanded 14 weeks, but with different suggestions about the funding. In the end, the minimalist scheme won the day. Supporters pointed out that it was…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland to offer permanent home to World Anti-Doping Agency

This content was published on Sep 19, 2000 At its session on Monday, the government decided to submit an application by October 23, and the final decision by the European Union is expected next April. However, the EU is reported to be firmly opposed to any move to site the agency in Lausanne, where the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is already based. The…

Swiss Politics

Parliament session begins with appeal against extremism

This content was published on Sep 18, 2000 Seiler, a member of the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, called on people to oppose all forms of extremism which, he said, had been increasing recently. He said the attempt by right-wingers to disrupt the National Day speech by the finance minister, Kaspar Villiger, on August 1 should have made people pay attention to the issue,…

Swiss Politics

Ogi makes stopover in Singapore

This content was published on Sep 17, 2000 There, Ogi briefly held talks with his counterpart, S.R. Nathan, with whom he discussed bilateral relations between Singapore and Switzerland, along with the strategic and political role Singapore plays at a regional and global level. Ogi and Nathan also talked about Singapore’s economic situation, which is of interest to Berne given that a significant number…

Swiss Politics

Half of Swiss voters oppose further Swisscom privatisation

This content was published on Sep 17, 2000 According surveys carried out by Swiss television and the Sunday newspaper, SonntagsZeitung, the Swiss are also not very enthusiastic about the creation of a postal bank. The opinion polls show that only 35 per cent of the 100 people surveyed are in favour of the government losing its majority stake in Swisscom. Reacting to the…

Swiss Politics

Swiss demonstrate against racism

This content was published on Sep 17, 2000 During the protest, which lasted several hours, local politicians and trade union representatives called for electoral rights for foreign residents, a better naturalisation process and an end to forced repatriation of refugees. Police were obliged to intervene briefly to keep protesters and skinheads apart. Emmen is a flashpoint of racial controversy because of the manner…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Rhine accord renewed after 25 years

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Switzerland convenes conference on Red Cross emblem debate

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Deiss speaks out on foreigners initiative

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Government boost for film industry

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Senate favours eight-week paid maternity leave

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Switzerland to offer permanent home to World Anti-Doping Agency

More

Parliament session begins with appeal against extremism

More

Ogi makes stopover in Singapore

More

Half of Swiss voters oppose further Swisscom privatisation

More

Swiss demonstrate against racism

Popular Stories

Most Discussed