Swiss Politics Archives - Page 1064 of 1339

More

Swiss Politics

Swiss step up cooperation with Japanese

This content was published on Jul 11, 2007 Swiss Interior Minister Pascal Couchepin rubber-stamped the deal on an official visit to Japan, during which the two sides also pledged their continued support for a bilateral trade accord. The agreement was signed on Tuesday in Tokyo by Couchepin and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso. An interior ministry statement said the move was in line…

More

Swiss Politics

Swiss and Chinese move towards free trade deal

This content was published on Jul 9, 2007 Both countries have also agreed to set up bilateral working groups to promote investment and bolster the protection of intellectual property rights, according to a statement by the economics ministry. As part of the deal Switzerland recognised China as a market economy – a key buffer against trade disputes between the two countries over the…

More

Swiss Politics

Political maturity “not a question of age”

This content was published on Jul 8, 2007 Glarus recently became the first canton to change its voting age for local matters from 18 to 16, a decision which has caused a storm of debate in the rest of the country. Canton Bern is due to vote on the matter next year. Masshardt, a keen supporter of the Bern motion, believes a lower…

More

Swiss Politics

Nepal’s leaders take lessons in democracy

This content was published on Jul 6, 2007 The visit comes ahead of November’s election in the Himalayan kingdom and is seen as part of Swiss efforts to support Nepal’s transition to democracy. “Both sides agreed that the exchange has been positive and helped boost cooperation,” a foreign ministry statement said on Friday. During the five-day visit the Nepalese delegation met experts and…

More

Swiss Politics

UN challenged over business ethics

This content was published on Jul 5, 2007 The appeal comes as around 1,000 leaders from the worlds of politics, business and civil society gather in Geneva for a two-day summit to review progress on the UN Global Compact. The voluntary initiative, which was launched seven years ago with a view to raising the bar on human rights, labour, the environment and fighting…

More

Swiss Politics

Embassy hosts Texan-style Independence Day

This content was published on Jul 4, 2007 A close friend of the US president, and like him a Texan, ambassador Peter Coneway wanted to give his guests a taste of his state: no less than 300 kilos of Texan beef had been specially imported for the occasion. In addition to the brisket – smoked for two days in Switzerland – 150 kilos…

More

Swiss Politics

Calmy-Rey urges action over poverty and hunger

This content was published on Jul 2, 2007 Speaking at the UN in Geneva on Monday, Micheline Calmy-Rey urged governments, multilateral agencies, civil society and the private sector to unite to lift millions out of poverty and hunger. “We already have the knowledge and the experience necessary to enable us to vanquish extreme poverty and hunger,” she said. “And we also have the…

More

Swiss Politics

Swiss ambassador in Washington is a busy man

This content was published on Jul 1, 2007 He told swissinfo that since taking office he had received five out of seven members of the Swiss cabinet, as well as two state secretaries, the president of the Swiss National Bank and other high-ranking officials. In the first two months of his stay in the United States capital, three major agreements were signed between…

More

Swiss Politics

Domestic violence faces tougher legislation

This content was published on Jun 30, 2007 But specialists are warning that while the new rules, which include the possibility of excluding violent partners from homes, represents major progress, it will not be effective unless the cantons are prepared to apply it fully. As of Sunday, victims of violence, threats or harassment will no longer have to leave their residence to protect…

More

Swiss Politics

Silent majority always wins Swiss ballots

This content was published on Jun 30, 2007 This practice of abstaining is in stark contrast to the traditional image of direct democracy where people participate actively in political decisions. Citizens in Switzerland can vote three to four times per year on a wide range of issues as part of their democratic rights. Ballots not only take place on a nationwide, but also…

Swiss Politics

Popular Stories

Most Discussed