Swiss Abroad

Muslims to be offered course on Swiss society

This content was published on Mar 17, 2009 The vocational training is also open to non-Muslims with the purpose of fostering cross-cultural knowledge. It has largely been welcomed by the Islamic community. The course will start in October and is organised by the university, the Group of Researchers on Islam in Switzerland (GRIS) and the Paris-based International Institute of Islamic Thought. Stéphane Lathion,…

Swiss Politics

“Close exchange” continued on tax policies

This content was published on Mar 17, 2009 “We have talked about how both countries can further develop,” said Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey after a meeting with her counterpart, Rita Kieber-Beck. “As major financial centres, we have long maintained a close exchange,” Calmy-Rey said. The meeting came the same day Economics Minister Doris Leuthard told Swiss radio she had sent a letter of…

Swiss Politics

Airports declared Schengen-compliant

This content was published on Mar 17, 2009 The Justice Office said on Tuesday that experts from Schengen countries had approved measures taken by the airports at Zurich, Geneva and Basel to ensure they comply with the rules for internal flights. Under the rules, systematic checks are only carried out on travellers leaving or entering the Schengen area, which now has 25 member…

Swiss Politics

Swiss economy plunging further than expected

This content was published on Mar 17, 2009 The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) revised its previous prediction of a 0.8 per cent decline in gross domestic product (GDP) and forecast severe job losses, in a report released on Tuesday. Seco analysts are the latest in a long line of economists to revise their forecast, some painting a bleaker picture than at…

Swiss Politics

Ambassador summoned over “unacceptable” remarks

This content was published on Mar 17, 2009 Peer Steinbrück had said that there were reasons to doubt promises by Switzerland and Austria to fully apply transparency standards prescribed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He singled out conditions being set out for sharing customer data, which he said would “maintain banking secrecy in principle”. “In my opinion, these statements…

Swiss Politics

Recession expected to worsen

This content was published on Mar 17, 2009 The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) has adjusted its previous prediction that the gross domestic product would decline by 0.8 per cent, in a report released on Tuesday, but says there will be a 0.1 per cent recovery as of 2010. Unemployment, which rose to 3.4 per cent in February, is expected to increase…

Bashir steps up defiance over Darfur aid

This content was published on Mar 16, 2009 His comments follow the expulsion of 16 large aid agencies from Darfur on March 4, an order that left the humanitarian community “in a state of shock”, according to an official from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Switzerland. Tension between Sudan and the international community grew after the International Criminal Court (ICC) earlier this month issued…

Swiss Politics

Foreign minister wants European court reforms

This content was published on Mar 16, 2009 The reforms to the Strasbourg-based court will be part of the country’s focus on three core areas – protection of human rights, promotion of democracy and the rule of law – after Switzerland takes over leadership of the 47-member body. Switzerland’s tenure will run from November 18, 2009 to mid-May 2010, the foreign ministry said…

Swiss Politics

Swiss receive confidence boost in London

This content was published on Mar 15, 2009 Merz, currently head of state under Switzerland’s revolving presidency, was boosted by the support of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown after meeting him in London on Saturday. “I put the question of this famous blacklist to Gordon Brown, and he told me that he shared my concern and that everything had to be done to…

Swiss Politics

Merz secures British support from Brown

This content was published on Mar 14, 2009 The two leaders met at an informal meeting of the International Monetary and Finance Committee in London. Brown said that his government would support Switzerland’s stance. The world’s major industrialised nations, known as the Group of 20, or G20, are to examine a proposal to blacklist Switzerland and other countries at a meeting in London…

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Swiss Abroad

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Muslims to be offered course on Swiss society

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“Close exchange” continued on tax policies

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Airports declared Schengen-compliant

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Swiss economy plunging further than expected

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Ambassador summoned over “unacceptable” remarks

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Recession expected to worsen

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Bashir steps up defiance over Darfur aid

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Foreign minister wants European court reforms

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Swiss receive confidence boost in London

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Merz secures British support from Brown

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