Swiss Abroad

Swiss to strengthen military ties with China

This content was published on Jul 14, 2011 The atmosphere at the meeting was “harmonious” and “friendly”, defence ministry spokesman Jean-Blaise Defago told the Swiss News Agency. He said China regarded Switzerland as an interesting partner because of its neutrality. The ministers agreed to conduct a regular exchange of opinions “at the highest level”. Greater cooperation is being sought in particular over logistics…

Swiss Politics

Stopping terrorist propaganda

This content was published on Jul 14, 2011 Islamic fundamentalists often use the internet to drum up support for holy war. The Swiss federal government wants to prevent calls for jihad originating from Switzerland, so it’s set up a specialised team to tackle the problem. Swiss TV gained access to exclusive footage recorded by this new commission. (SF/swissinfo.ch)

Swiss Politics

Fiscal discipline receives strong support

This content was published on Jul 14, 2011 Conducted by Swiss business federation economiesuisse, the annual Financial Monitor survey questioned a representative sample of 1,000 voters from across the country in face-to-face interviews between April 26 and May 15. Ninety per cent of respondents said they entirely or mostly agreed that the so-called “debt brake” on the federal budget should be maintained. Introduced…

Swiss Politics

Leuthard warns against egoism in green issues

This content was published on Jul 14, 2011 In a speech at the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), near Boston, the minister also proposed abandoning the principle that climate change accords should be secured by unanimity alone. The effects of climate change are not restricted to national borders and any delay in acting could be fatal, Leuthard warned on Wednesday at the…

Swiss Politics

Call for Swiss to support Syrian protests

This content was published on Jul 13, 2011 Wajd Zimmermann of the Jasmine Collective told Swiss public radio on Wednesday that they had sent an open letter to this year’s president, Micheline Calmy-Rey – who is also Switzerland’s foreign minister – calling on her to support efforts to submit the Syrian case to the International Criminal Court. “Switzerland, as a country which defends…

Swiss Politics

Defence minister on visit to S. Korea and China

This content was published on Jul 13, 2011 During talks with his South Korean counterpart, Kim Kwan, in Seoul, Maurer pledged Switzerland’s commitment to its observer mission in the demilitarised zone between the two Koreas. Maurer said he hoped the situation would soon make the Swiss contingent of five officers with the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission obsolete. Switzerland has been providing observers for…

Swiss Politics

Asylum figures decline in June

This content was published on Jul 13, 2011 The Federal Migration Office said the total number of requests fell from 2,245 in May to 1,675 last month. The biggest decrease, more than 50 per cent, was recorded among asylum seekers from Eritrea while applications from Tunisians slumped by 17 per cent. Nationals from Tunisia, Eritrea and Nigeria make up the biggest groups. More…

Swiss Politics

Rail company seals SFr240m Russian deal

This content was published on Jul 12, 2011 The deal was announced by Economics Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann on the third day of his four day trade mission to Russia. Stadler Rail will supply Russian train manufacturer Transmasholding (TMH) with 100 diesel-powered drive components, which will be installed in 50 trains. The prototypes are due to be delivered at the end of 2012 and…

Swiss Politics

Diplomat to strengthen ties in Benghazi

This content was published on Jul 12, 2011 In a statement on Tuesday, the foreign ministry said the envoy would open a liaison office in Benghazi within the premises of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid programme office which was opened in March. “By sending a special envoy to Benghazi, Switzerland is signalling its intent to strengthen its presence there, and to intensify its political…

Swiss Politics

Planned government web monitoring raises fears

This content was published on Jul 12, 2011 Some proposals would require service providers to record and release client data. Others would allow the government to install Trojan viruses on computers and use mobile phone network data to ease dragnet investigations. The concept goes too far, according to the Swiss platform Digitale Gesellschaft – or “digital society”, which warns of risks if private…

Swiss Abroad

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