Swiss Abroad

French-Swiss relations cool after Sarkozy comment

This content was published on Nov 12, 2011 In an interview to be aired on French-speaking television on Sunday, Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey criticized Sarkozy’s statement at the conclusion of the recent G20 summit in which the French president listed Switzerland among 11 so-called tax havens. “We were very surprised and dissatisfied,” this year’s Swiss president said, explaining that there was no grounds…

Swiss Politics

Search continues for suitable asylum shelters

This content was published on Nov 11, 2011 Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga has mooted an amendment to the zoning laws and plans for an emergency concept to ease the shortage of accommodation for people applying for asylum in Switzerland. Despite agreement in principle between the federal and cantonal authorities, it has become apparent that plans to create additional capacities for 2,000 asylum seekers…

Swiss Politics

Kosovan diaspora honour Swiss minister

This content was published on Nov 11, 2011 The award, a golden sculpture, is issued by the 170,000-strong Kosovan community of Switzerland and will be an annual event. It was given in honour of Calmy-Rey’s “courageous” stance during Kosovo’s split from Serbia in 2008. The award was handed over on Friday by Kosovan Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj during a working visit to Bern,…

Swiss Politics

Italy’s crisis to have strong impact on EU

This content was published on Nov 10, 2011 As Italy’s economy descends into turmoil, Rossi, a professor at Fribourg University, says that the country’s political instability and inability to come up with a long-term growth strategy are particularly worrying. In the coming days, the Italian parliament should decide on an EU-required financial stability law to reduce government spending and help boost its ailing…

Swiss Politics

Churches to end association with asylum flights

This content was published on Nov 9, 2011 The Federation has come under sustained criticism for its role in the monitoring of deportation flights from many of its members who felt the participation in the pilot project was tantamount to supporting the deportations. As a signatory to Europe’s Dublin accord on asylum seekers, Switzerland is obliged to have a monitoring system for deportation flights…

Swiss Politics

Talks with EU focus on euro crisis and tax

This content was published on Nov 9, 2011 Speaking after a meeting with EU President Herman Van Rompuy in Zurich, Calmy-Rey said Switzerland’s export-oriented businesses were suffering from the impact of the economic crisis of the 27-nation bloc. She added that Switzerland is participating in the financing of the rescue measures for indebted European countries by contributing to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).…

Swiss Politics

Libya – historic days

This content was published on Nov 9, 2011 The revolt against the regime of Moammar Gaddafi, which started in Benghazi, rapidly turned into a full-scale conflict. On August 21 the rebels entered Tripoli. The Libyan leader’s days were numbered and he finally met his end two months later as he tried to flee his hometown of Sirte.

Libya faces daunting security challenges

This content was published on Nov 9, 2011 During Libya’s transition to democracy Switzerland says it can help support efforts to reform the security forces and disarm the population as well as demining activities. After the capture and killing of Muammar Gaddafi on October 20, Libya is setting about building a democracy. By next June, Libyans are due to elect a national assembly…

Swiss Politics

Russia and Georgia sign historic deal

This content was published on Nov 9, 2011 The deal was brokered after intense negotiations mediated by Swiss diplomats, and was signed at WTO headquarters in Geneva on Wednesday. It specifies that a private company will monitor the way customs checks are conducted on trade between the two countries, and that a neutral third party will mediate in case of difficulties. The Swiss…

Swiss Politics

Doubts cast on Berlusconi announcement

This content was published on Nov 9, 2011 With ever-growing fears about the ability of the Italian economy to reform and pay off its ever-mounting debts, the “Cavaliere” finally bowed to intense pressure from his European counterparts and announced he would resign following the passage of budget austerity measures through the parliament. But after a scandal-ridden political career that has spanned nearly 20…

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French-Swiss relations cool after Sarkozy comment

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Search continues for suitable asylum shelters

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Kosovan diaspora honour Swiss minister

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Italy’s crisis to have strong impact on EU

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Churches to end association with asylum flights

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Talks with EU focus on euro crisis and tax

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Libya – historic days

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Libya faces daunting security challenges

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Russia and Georgia sign historic deal

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Doubts cast on Berlusconi announcement

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