Swiss Abroad

Border hotel offers a taste of two cultures

This content was published on Jun 26, 2004 Thanks to its unique location straddling the Franco-Swiss border, guests can eat and sleep in both countries at the same time. “In many of our rooms, the border runs right across the bed,” explains the hotel’s owner, Alexandre Peyron. “People just love the idea of sleeping with their head in Switzerland and their feet in…

Swiss Politics

Ratification process begins for Swiss-EU accords

This content was published on Jun 25, 2004 The ceremony comes two days after Brussels agreed to postpone until July 2005 the introduction of a pan-European directive aimed at cracking down on tax evasion. Under the terms of a deal negotiated between Bern and Brussels, Swiss banks will be required to levy a withholding tax on interest earned by EU residents with savings…

Swiss Politics

Government rejects calls to send guards to Iraq

This content was published on Jun 24, 2004 The cabinet said such a move could be misunderstood by Iraqis and leave its diplomatic staff and their guards vulnerable to attack. In a statement, the government said the local population might be led to believe that Switzerland had taken sides in the United States-led conflict if Swiss soldiers were sent to protect the mission.…

Swiss Politics

Calmy-Rey visits Sudan’s war-torn Darfur region

This content was published on Jun 24, 2004 It is the first visit by a Swiss foreign minister to the African nation, which has been plagued by fighting and civil war for 21 years. Calmy-Rey’s tour began with a stopover in the western region of Darfur, where she was scheduled to visit camps set up for displaced persons in the region. It is…

Swiss Politics

Government rejects mandatory Schengen vote

This content was published on Jun 23, 2004 The second set of bilateral agreements includes the controversial Schengen accord, which governs cross-border crime. While the Social Democratic, Radical and Christian Democratic parties welcomed Wednesday’s decision, the rightwing Swiss People’s Party called it a “scandal”. The People’s Party is opposed to plans for security cooperation with Brussels saying Switzerland’s sovereignty was at risk. The…

Swiss Politics

Christian Democrats look for leg-up from Leuthard

This content was published on Jun 23, 2004 If elected in September, she will be the only woman at the helm of a leading political party in Switzerland. Leuthard, a member of the federal parliament since 1999, has been interim president since the beginning of the year. On Tuesday her party announced that the 41-year-old was a candidate for the leadership, despite having…

Swiss Politics

EU to delay new tax regime

This content was published on Jun 23, 2004 The move has been partly blamed on the Swiss government, which says it cannot implement the changes by January 1. Switzerland, which is not an EU member, has strongly rejected any blame, arguing that the bloc has not clarified crucial details of the new system. A meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels on Tuesday agreed…

Swiss train Greeks for Olympic chemical attacks

This content was published on Jun 21, 2004 Swiss officials said on Monday that the government was also sending chemical protection equipment to the Greek capital, Athens. The Spiez Laboratory, which specialises in protection from nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, said the material would enable the Greeks to intervene quickly in the event of a threat or an attack. Spokesman Bernard Jeanty said…

Swiss Politics

Deiss calls for more efforts to integrate refugees

This content was published on Jun 20, 2004 He was speaking ahead of Refugee Day on Saturday, which was marked by a series of events across the country. The programme of activities included presentations of traditional music, dance and food. In a keynote address, Deiss urged the Swiss to respect refugees who flee their homes as a result of persecution. “Today there are…

Swiss Politics

Government unveils anti-landmine strategy

This content was published on Jun 18, 2004 The announcement comes five years after the Ottawa Convention banning the use and production of anti-personnel mines came into force. Senior Swiss diplomat Peter Maurer said the aim was to coordinate activities currently conducted by different government agencies and departments. “For the first time we are launching a comprehensive strategy which includes all our activities…

Swiss Abroad

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Swiss Abroad

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Border hotel offers a taste of two cultures

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Ratification process begins for Swiss-EU accords

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Government rejects calls to send guards to Iraq

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Calmy-Rey visits Sudan’s war-torn Darfur region

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Government rejects mandatory Schengen vote

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Christian Democrats look for leg-up from Leuthard

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EU to delay new tax regime

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Swiss train Greeks for Olympic chemical attacks

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Deiss calls for more efforts to integrate refugees

More

Government unveils anti-landmine strategy

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