Swiss Politics

Kosovo’s independence meets mixed response

This content was published on Feb 18, 2008 European Union member countries are considering a response to Sunday’s move, while the United Nations Security Council failed to agree on a common stance. The Zurich-based Tages-Anzeiger newspaper describes Kosovo’s decision as a baptism of fire and the birth of a new European nation as somewhat flawed. “The enthusiasm of the Kosovars might be huge,…

Swiss Politics

Kosovo declares independence from Serbia

This content was published on Feb 17, 2008 Across Switzerland, which in 2005 became the first state worldwide to call for formal independence, thousands of Kosovars celebrated the birth of the world’s newest country on Sunday afternoon by driving through towns and waving flags. Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey on Sunday repeated Switzerland’s “total support” for Kosovo and said the issue of recognising…

Swiss Politics

Swiss welcome key step in trafficking fight

This content was published on Feb 15, 2008 Guillaume Scheurer, a top official in the foreign ministry, said that the process for more action had been launched and that it was now up to both private and public actors to get involved. The three-day Vienna Forum, which finished on Friday, attracted at least 1,000 participants from around 100 countries. Government representatives, civil society,…

Swiss Politics

Government backs ban on cat skins export

This content was published on Feb 15, 2008 The Swiss government announced on Thursday that it is prepared to adapt the animal protection law to ban the trade, including the export of skins. Their import is already forbidden. The move will put Swiss law in line with recent EU legislation. The government was responding to a parliamentary motion submitted by House of Representatives…

Swiss Politics

Government to target foreign criminals

This content was published on Feb 14, 2008 But with anti-foreigner sentiments currently running high in Switzerland, the Federal Migration Office said it also wanted to help foreigners integrate into Swiss society. Top of the migration office’s list on Thursday was the “stringent implementation” of tougher laws on asylum seekers and foreigners which have come into effect in stages since January 1, 2007.…

Swiss Politics

TEST – DIGEST STORY -WEBMASTER

This content was published on Feb 14, 2008 The two countries have opposing views on the independence of Kosovo. While Calmy-Rey is on record as supporting Kosovo independence, Russia has consistently opposed it. Kosovo independence would undermine security in Europe and the foundations of the United Nations charter, Lavrov told journalists. The province is expected to announce its independence from Serbia later this…

Swiss Politics

More Swiss live abroad

This content was published on Feb 14, 2008 At the end of December 2007 there were 668,017 Swiss citizens living outside Switzerland, the Federal Statistics Office reported on Thursday. This was an increase of 3.6 per cent on 2006. Not only is the total figure rising, the rate of increase is rising too. The report by the Statistics Office does not break down…

Swiss border guards could be deployed abroad

This content was published on Feb 13, 2008 The Swiss government says it could be called on to contribute to the patrolling of the outer perimeter of Europe’s Schengen zone. This would be possible after November when Switzerland is expected to become a member of the passport-free zone which extends from Portugal in the west, Italy and Greece in the south, Finland in…

Swiss Politics

High incidence of passive smoking found

This content was published on Feb 13, 2008 The report, released by the Valais Anti-Smoking Centre, is said to be one of the first of its kind to quantify the effects of inhaling second-hand smoke. Researchers gave out to the public 1,500 special nicotine-measuring devices in badge form at the beginning of 2007; 630 were given back six months later. It was found…

Swiss Politics

Better child protection urged at UN

This content was published on Feb 13, 2008 The Swiss ambassador to the United Nations, Peter Maurer, said that cases should be referred to the International Criminal Court if national judicial systems failed to prosecute. Speaking at a UN Security Council debate, Maurer said the recruitment of child soldiers should stop, as should the rape and exploitation of young girls. Switzerland also suggested…

Swiss Politics

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