Swiss Politics

Jet d’eau “bleeds” for Darfur

This content was published on Jul 16, 2007 Campaigners and the city authorities want to remind the world of the need to find a solution to a conflict that international experts say has killed more than 200,000 people and displaced millions. “It won’t change anything on the ground but as a symbol it’s very important that an international city like Geneva states clearly…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland supports Vietnam’s market economy

This content was published on Jul 16, 2007 The accords, which will cost Switzerland about SFr9 million ($7.49 million) are also intended to make the communist southeast Asian nation more attractive for Swiss investors. Leuthard, who is in Vietnam after a visit to China, signed on Monday one key agreement on the protection of intellectual property with the Vietnamese minister of science and…

Swiss Politics

Calmy-Rey visits Darfur refugees

This content was published on Jul 15, 2007 Switzerland contributes SFr3-4 million ($2.5-3.3 million) a year to the camps, which hold around 380,000 refugees and people displaced by various conflicts, including the one in neighbouring Darfur. On Sunday Calmy-Rey visited the Iridimi camp, north of Abéché, Chad’s fourth-largest city and the capital of Ouaddaï Region. More than 17,000 refugees from Darfur live in…

Swiss Politics

Couchepin lays wreath at Hiroshima

This content was published on Jul 14, 2007 Couchepin also paid homage to Swiss doctor Marcel Junod, one of the most accomplished field delegates in the history of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), who was the first foreign doctor to reach the bombsite at Hiroshima. On Saturday Couchepin laid a wreath in the Hiroshima Peace Park in memory of delegates…

Swiss Politics

China visit yields few tangible results

This content was published on Jul 13, 2007 Leuthard said on Friday she was satisfied with the results of the trip and the signing of a declaration aimed at establishing a free trade accord was the “highpoint”. Agreement to set up investment and intellectual property rights working groups was also seen as a breakthrough, but a number of commercial obstacles between both countries…

Swiss Politics

Turning the screw on spending and foreigners

This content was published on Jul 12, 2007 But the balance sheet for the past legislative term is less impressive when it comes to shoring up the social security system and easing regulations for asylum seekers, according to a swissinfo survey among parliamentarians. The rightwing Swiss People’s Party emerged as one of the main winners of the 2003 elections to the House of…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Swiss Politics

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