Swiss Abroad

Swiss democracy given a beating in Paris

This content was published on Dec 6, 2004 Among the provocative images by Swiss artist Thomas Hirschhorn is a theatre piece showing someone urinating on a poster of Blocher. The Arts Council of Switzerland, Pro Helvetia, which funded the show, says it supports the project – “Swiss Swiss Democracy” – but has distanced itself from the attack on Blocher. The artist says his…

Swiss Politics

Becoming Swiss no longer costs a fortune

This content was published on Dec 6, 2004 This means that the cost of becoming Swiss will no longer run into the tens of thousands of francs, as has been the case for many people in the past. The government on Monday decided that a modification of the law on nationality would come into force on January 1, 2006. Explaining the new procedure,…

Swiss Politics

Defence ministry announces drastic cutbacks

This content was published on Dec 6, 2004 The cuts are part of a series of planned measures to drastically reduce spending and axe hundreds of jobs within six years. Under the proposal, presented by the defence minister, Samuel Schmid, and the army chief, Christophe Keckeis, on Monday, 1,800 jobs in the logistics sector of the armed forces will be axed by 2010.…

Swiss Politics

Number of cross-border workers rises

This content was published on Dec 6, 2004 But it also showed that – despite fears to the contrary – the number of immigrants from the European Union did not rise significantly. The number of immigrants increased by 7,700 between June and August of this year, according to a survey by the Swiss ats news agency, published on Monday. Border regions also reported…

Swiss Politics

Swiss seek progress on biological weapons

This content was published on Dec 6, 2004 The Swiss say they are hoping to avoid a repeat of the last review conference, which collapsed amid disagreement over how to enforce the ban on biological weapons. Two years ago a proposal, which would have compelled countries to submit to inspections, was shelved under pressure from the United States. The US said the system…

Swiss Politics

Nations renew pledge to rid world of mines

This content was published on Dec 3, 2004 The 144 participating countries approved a five-year action plan, committing them to destroy stockpiles and push ahead with demining efforts. The meeting was the first five-year review of the 1997 Ottawa Convention on Landmines, which came into force in 1999. Switzerland’s state secretary for foreign affairs, Franz von Däniken, told swissinfo the action plan was…

Swiss Politics

Army set to keep the peace in Davos

This content was published on Dec 2, 2004 But opponents of the move, which still has to be approved by one of Switzerland’s two parliamentary chambers, are urging recruits to stay away from the event. The WEF summit has been held every January for more than 30 years. It brings together some of the biggest names in global politics and business. But the…

Swiss Politics

Ambassador hails Geneva’s diplomatic role

This content was published on Dec 2, 2004 Blaise Godet also said that Geneva’s role on the international scene had been boosted by Switzerland joining the UN in 2002. The ambassador took up his new post on November 1 this year, replacing Jean-Marc Boulgaris on his retirement. Godet was previously head of political affairs at the Swiss foreign ministry. Godet has two main…

Swiss Politics

Senators say “yes” to Bilaterals II

This content was published on Dec 2, 2004 Security fears over the controversial Schengen/Dublin accord on cross-border security and asylum fell on deaf ears. The treaties will now be debated in the House of Representatives. Thirty-eight members of the Senate – the chamber that represents Switzerland’s cantons – voted in favour of the accords, with three against and three abstentions. During debate in…

Swiss Politics

Swiss fear natural disasters above all

This content was published on Dec 1, 2004 Most Swiss still believe the country needs an army to defend its borders, and they want to maintain neutrality. Three out of four people said they believed that natural disasters were a likely occurrence, according to a survey published by the GfS Zurich research institute on Thursday. A similar poll two years ago showed that…

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Swiss Abroad

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Swiss democracy given a beating in Paris

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Becoming Swiss no longer costs a fortune

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Defence ministry announces drastic cutbacks

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Number of cross-border workers rises

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Swiss seek progress on biological weapons

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Nations renew pledge to rid world of mines

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Army set to keep the peace in Davos

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Ambassador hails Geneva’s diplomatic role

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Senators say “yes” to Bilaterals II

More

Swiss fear natural disasters above all

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