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Swiss Politics

Passport-free air travel extends to 24 countries

This content was published on Mar 30, 2008 Switzerland was due to join the Schengen zone in November this year, but the move is likely to be delayed as ratification of the treaty in several European Union member nations is still pending. The abolition of controls for air traffic completes the latest enlargement of the Schengen zone to include nine new member states…

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New initiative against fighter jets

This content was published on Mar 30, 2008 The pacifist organisation, Group for Switzerland without an Army, says it plans to collect the necessary signatures to force a nationwide vote on defence spending. The people’s initiative calls for a ten-year arms moratorium on the purchase of fighter jets. The group which has 18 months to collect the at least 100,000 signatures, said it…

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Calmy-Rey visits troops in Kosovo

This content was published on Mar 29, 2008 Speaking at Camp Casablanca at Suva Reka on the second day of her official visit to the newly-independent country, Calmy-Rey said no other European country had more interest than Switzerland in securing a peaceful Kosovo with prospects for the future. Calmy-Rey said the Swiss troops stationed in Kosovo were an important part of Swiss foreign…

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Swiss Politics

Bhutan takes first step towards democracy

This content was published on Mar 29, 2008 The move is part of the democratic transition taking place in Bhutan, which is about the same size as Switzerland. “If there is a country in the region that can introduce and live democracy, it’s Bhutan,” Werner Kuelling, local head of Swiss aid organisation Helvetas, said after the elections which ended a century of absolute…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss embassy opens in Kosovo

This content was published on Mar 28, 2008 “Only an independent Kosovo can develop economically and politically, and Switzerland is contributing to the stability of the region by helping the construction of this state,” she said. As a state, Kosovo could be a “true partner” with whom Bern could negotiate agreements. There are about 60 bilateral accords that were made with the former…

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Swiss Politics

Measles outbreak prompts shots for all

This content was published on Mar 28, 2008 The epidemic has reached all parts of the country, with 2,000 cases in the past 16 months and 133 sufferers treated in hospital, the Federal Health Office said on Friday. Half of those affected were aged between five and 15. A total of 98 per cent of patients had either received just one of two…

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Swiss Politics

Hedge fund ends Implenia bid

This content was published on Mar 28, 2008 The hedge fund said Friday that it decided to end the offer because Implenia’s board had refused to fully register shares held by funds under Laxey’s management with the correct voting rights. Implenia’s board of directors on Tuesday described the takeover bid as a “sham” from the outset, with Laxey missing its target by a…

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Swiss Politics

Switzerland set to open embassy in Kosovo

This content was published on Mar 28, 2008 Her five-day visit to three Balkan countries – she has already visited Bosnia-Herzegovina and will go to Macedonia on Sunday – had sparked criticism that Bern has deliberately omitted Serbia from the itinerary. But a foreign ministry spokesman said on Thursday that a visit to Belgrade had not been possible on this trip and that…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss pledge support for Bosnia

This content was published on Mar 27, 2008 Switzerland has granted Bosnia aid worth €210 million (SFr330 million) over the past few years for de-mining, judicial and constitutional reform and the development of civil society. Calmy-Rey said she deplored that fact that it was not possible to schedule a visit to Serbia as part of her five-day visit to southeastern Europe, including Kosovo.…

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Swiss Politics

Calmy-Rey under fire over Balkan visit

This content was published on Mar 26, 2008 Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia are also on the itinerary, but commentators have expressed concerns that Serbia has been deliberately omitted. Calmy-Rey’s visit comes a week after she ruffled feathers at home and abroad for attending the signing of a Swiss-Iranian gas deal in Teheran – and for wearing a headscarf. On her visit to the Kosovan…

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