Swiss Politics

Pakistan still has its eyes on Swiss tanks

This content was published on Oct 30, 2006 The comments were made during Defence Minister Samuel Schmid’s two-day state visit to Pakistan, where he is discussing security issues and visiting the region worst affected by the 2005 earthquake. Schmid reminded his hosts that Switzerland had decided in March 2006 that the 736 tanks worth SFr40 million ($32 million) were no longer for sale.…

Swiss Politics

Swiss consolidate bilateral ties with China

This content was published on Oct 30, 2006 She held talks with government representatives, even touching on sensitive issues such as human rights, and opened a new Swiss consulate in Guangdong province. It was Calmy-Rey’s second trip to China as foreign minister and was aimed at consolidating relations that began more than 50 years ago. During her visit both sides signed an agreement…

Swiss Politics

Swiss and Chinese consolidate relations

This content was published on Oct 27, 2006 Calmy-Rey is at the start of a five-day visit to China to discuss bilateral relations and to open a new Swiss consulate in Guangzhou province, one of the country’s most dynamic areas. Calmy-Rey said the agreement – which aims to strengthen relations in important areas such as the economy, technology, migration and human rights –…

Swiss Politics

Army beats its drum at military tattoo

This content was published on Oct 27, 2006 Schmid said at the launch in Thun of “Army Days 2006” that the Swiss “want their army and should have the opportunity to see it”. Schmid told several hundred guests in Thun, home to one of the country’s biggest military bases, that security always had to be updated – if it can be guaranteed today,…

Swiss Politics

Expectations low ahead of Sri Lanka talks

This content was published on Oct 27, 2006 The two sides met in the city in February when they agreed to stop all forms of violence but since then the country has slipped towards renewed civil war amid recriminations on both sides. Both the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) blame each other for the upsurge in fighting that has seen…

Swiss Politics

Swiss foreign minister in China to boost ties

This content was published on Oct 26, 2006 The two countries have a long history of collaboration economically and politically – but they still disagree over human rights issues. Calmy-Rey, who started her five-day trip on Thursday, will meet her Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing in the capital, Beijing, as well as Vice President Zeng Qinghong. The move follows a visit by Li to…

Swiss Politics

Government bends to research funding demands

This content was published on Oct 25, 2006 The government caved in to demands from parliament, after both houses warned that a proposal to set the increase at 4.5 per cent was insufficient and unacceptable. At the beginning of July, cabinet had initially decided out of budgetary concerns not to go beyond the 4.5 per cent level in funding for training, research and…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland imposes sanctions on North Korea

This content was published on Oct 25, 2006 With the decision, Switzerland follows the lead of the United Nations Security Council, which approved financial and arms sanctions on October 14. The economics ministry said on Wednesday the ban included the export and import of large weapons, even though Swiss law already forbids such trade with North Korea. The export and import of goods…

Swiss Politics

Refugee remembers Hungarian uprising

This content was published on Oct 22, 2006 The anti-Communist revolt started on October 23, 1956, but was brutally crushed by Soviet troops. In the aftermath, around 200,000 people fled to Switzerland and other western countries. The uprising only lasted a few days but its failure put paid to all hopes of freedom in Hungary and cemented the nation’s place in the Eastern…

Swiss Politics

Poll finds voters approving funds for Europe

This content was published on Oct 20, 2006 An opinion poll ahead of a nationwide ballot on November 26 also found a clear majority in favour of unified minimum child benefits. According to a survey by the GfS Bern polling institute, 47 per cent of those interviewed said they approved of a government proposal to pay SFr1 billion over ten years to the…

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Swiss Politics

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Pakistan still has its eyes on Swiss tanks

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Swiss consolidate bilateral ties with China

More

Swiss and Chinese consolidate relations

More

Army beats its drum at military tattoo

More

Expectations low ahead of Sri Lanka talks

More

Swiss foreign minister in China to boost ties

More

Government bends to research funding demands

More

Switzerland imposes sanctions on North Korea

More

Refugee remembers Hungarian uprising

More

Poll finds voters approving funds for Europe

Popular Stories

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