Swiss Abroad

Berne hosts meeting of European Youth Parliament

This content was published on Jul 17, 2000 The session’s speaker, Martin Camenisch from canton Berne, said the gathering was a historic moment for Switzerland. Over the next week 250 young people will be debating the future of the continent. Opening the event on Monday Camenisch said it was the first time the blue European flag with its golden stars had been raised…

Swiss Politics

European Youth Assembly meets in Berne

This content was published on Jul 16, 2000 The meeting formally opens on Monday in the Swiss House of Representatives. Delegates from more than 30 countries are taking part in working groups to debate issues, including human rights, consumer protection, unemployment, environmental and cultural issues. One committee will also focus on direct democracy in Europe. Monika Horisberger, spokeswoman for the Swiss organisers, told…

Swiss Politics

Former Swiss ambassador reflects on four years in Israel

This content was published on Jul 16, 2000 Having just returned to Switzerland, Monod is taking stock of his four years in Tel Aviv, which began in June 1996. Following his debriefing with the foreign ministry, the 59-year-old career diplomat and his Israeli wife have been reminiscing about their “very happy stay, after having been very well received by the Israeli people”. Shortly…

Swiss Politics

Swiss president to meet British prime minister in London

This content was published on Jul 16, 2000 The talks are expected to focus on Anglo-Swiss relations. In particular, Ogi will take the opportunity to discuss the progress being made in the ratification process of the bilateral treaties between the European Union and Switzerland. The parliaments of all 15 EU member states have to ratify the accords if they are to come into…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland and EU to begin new round of bilateral negotiations

This content was published on Jul 12, 2000 Deiss and the European Union commissioner for foreign relations, Chris Patten, said expert-level talks would begin in the autumn. Patten re-stated that tax evasion would be high on the agenda. Switzerland, for its part, is seeking new areas for bilateral agreements such as the media, statistics and education, following the ratification of seven accords which…

Swiss Politics

Deiss addresses key issues for Switzerland with EU leaders

This content was published on Jul 11, 2000 Deiss is meeting the EU Commission president, Romano Prodi and the commissioner for foreign relations, Chris Patten, as well as officials responsible for the expansion of the EU and budgetary issues. Patten and the budget commissioner, Michaele Schreyer, are expected to press Switzerland for a new round of talks on fighting fraud. The EU council…

Swiss Politics

Schmid is appointed to boost Soldarity Foundation’s popularity

This content was published on Jul 7, 2000 Schmid will take over the post part-time in September and on a full-time basis from October The 47-year old lawyer and doctor of law is currently head of the city of Zurich’s social services department. In the 1980s he was director of the Swiss Refugee Council. The appointment of the politically-independent Schmid will fill a…

Swiss Politics

Pro Helvetia shies away from radical reform

This content was published on Jul 7, 2000 In what was billed as Pro Helvetia’s biggest potential administrative shake-up since it was created in 1939, its Board of Trustees gave the green light to the “PH 2500” project and rejected the more ambitious “New Beginning” alternative. Reforms to the institution include a restructuring of the board which must be completed by the end…

Swiss Politics

Swiss and European MPs call for speedy ratification of accords with Berne

This content was published on Jul 6, 2000 The statement was issued after a meeting on Thursday between a delegation of Swiss members of parliament and their European counterparts in Strasbourg. They expressed their hope that the 15 national parliaments ratify the accords “without delay” in order to quicken the pace toward implementation. The statement mentions no date, but Swiss parliamentarians privately said…

Swiss Politics

Asylum applications sink to five-year low

This content was published on Jul 6, 2000 A total of 1,177 asylum seekers lodged applications in June, 358 fewer than the previous month. At the same time 7,156 people left Switzerland. Of those, 3,375 were Kosovars returning home as part of the government’s repatriation programme. The figures bring down the total number of asylum seekers in Switzerland to 20,205. Most applications came…

Swiss Abroad

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Swiss Abroad

More

Berne hosts meeting of European Youth Parliament

More

European Youth Assembly meets in Berne

More

Former Swiss ambassador reflects on four years in Israel

More

Swiss president to meet British prime minister in London

More

Switzerland and EU to begin new round of bilateral negotiations

More

Deiss addresses key issues for Switzerland with EU leaders

More

Schmid is appointed to boost Soldarity Foundation’s popularity

More

Pro Helvetia shies away from radical reform

More

Swiss and European MPs call for speedy ratification of accords with Berne

More

Asylum applications sink to five-year low

Popular Stories

Most Discussed