Swiss Politics

Russian-Georgian talks open in Geneva

This content was published on Oct 15, 2008 The talks are the first time representatives of the two sides have met face to face since the armed conflict between them, which broke out at the beginning of August. The meeting had remained in doubt until the last minute, and three members of the Russian delegation only arrived after it had officially started. Six…

Swiss Politics

Handwashing could save lives

This content was published on Oct 15, 2008 The United Nations has declared Wednesday to be the first international hand-washing day, as part of the current International Year of Sanitation. It says washing hands with soap and water is the most effective and inexpensive way to prevent diarrheal diseases and acute respiratory infections, which together are responsible for the majority of all child…

Nuclear solution tops agenda in Iran talks

This content was published on Oct 15, 2008 Iranian parliament president Ali Larijani made the comments during a working lunch with Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey at a parliamentarians’ conference in Geneva on Tuesday. Switzerland is actively engaged in negotiations on the issue, Larijani confirmed. “We touched on different ideas, different actions,” he said, adding that the door to dialogue on the issue remained…

Swiss Politics

Rural tourism struggles to take root

This content was published on Oct 14, 2008 With its pastures dotted with cows and its scenic valleys, Switzerland is an ideal country for agrotourism, yet the industry lags well behind neighbouring countries that have less to offer. A Swiss Centre for Mountain Regions study presented on Tuesday suggested that the country could bolster its rural holiday market with focused marketing efforts, comprehensive…

Swiss Politics

EU immigrants top a million

This content was published on Oct 14, 2008 The foreign population from other countries increased by just 0.5 per cent in the same period – the end of August 2007 to the end of August 2008 – according to official statistics. The bilateral accord with the EU on the free movement of people appears to be having an effect on the breakdown of…

Air force may need to train in foreign airspace

This content was published on Oct 13, 2008 At a roundtable meeting with canton officials from Lucerne, Bern, Vaud and Valais – areas with military airstrips – Defence Minister Samuel Schmid discussed ways to allow the air force the 22,000 take-offs and landings it needs to do each year. Residents and local officials near the airfields have long complained about the noise the…

Swiss Politics

IMF produces sharp words but vague measures

This content was published on Oct 12, 2008 Swiss Economics Minister Doris Leuthard and head of the Swiss National Bank Jean-Pierre Roth who were in Washington this weekend to attend a meeting of the policy-guiding body of the International Monetary Fund, both came out in favour of the plan. The meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee precedes the annual meeting of…

Swiss Politics

New twist in Libyan-Swiss saga

This content was published on Oct 12, 2008 The Libyan authorities have denied reports to this effect which have appeared this week, ambassador Daniel von Muralt told the Swiss news agency. News of the halting of oil supplies came late on Wednesday. The head of the Libyan Tamoil company was quoted in the media as saying that the decision had come from the…

Swiss Politics

Libyan airline cuts flights to Switzerland

This content was published on Oct 11, 2008 The Friday and Sunday flights of Afriqiyah Airways between Tripoli and Geneva have been cancelled with immediate effect, leaving only one connection a week, on Tuesdays. However, the spokesman said it was not certain whether Tuesday’s flight would take place either. The French language newspaper Liberté reported on Saturday, quoting a source close to the…

Swiss Politics

Minister says Swiss economy needs foreign labour

This content was published on Oct 10, 2008 In an interview with swissinfo, she stresses how important the foreign workforce is and speaks about the government’s asylum policy. Widmer-Schlumpf who is also acting finance minister, delivered Thursday’s opening address to a two-day meeting in Lucerne on the theme of Diversity and Integration. swissinfo: As you mentioned in your speech to the conference in…

Swiss Politics

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Russian-Georgian talks open in Geneva

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Handwashing could save lives

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Nuclear solution tops agenda in Iran talks

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Rural tourism struggles to take root

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EU immigrants top a million

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Air force may need to train in foreign airspace

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IMF produces sharp words but vague measures

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New twist in Libyan-Swiss saga

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Libyan airline cuts flights to Switzerland

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Minister says Swiss economy needs foreign labour

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