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Swiss Politics

Foreigners gain from Schengen visa decision

This content was published on Apr 7, 2006 The EU parliament in Strasbourg has voted to recognise Swiss residence permits, meaning that non-EU residents no longer need a special visa if they travel through a Schengen country. EU parliamentarians voted by overwhelming majority on Thursday to stop the practice of transit visas for foreign Swiss residents. At present, a Turkish or Serbian family…

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Spring brings timely boost for the Greens

This content was published on Apr 6, 2006 Experts say the Greens enjoy a reputation as an independent political force ahead of next year’s election to parliament and the cabinet. Over the past two years, the Greens have been the big winners of cantonal elections, gaining an additional 35 seats in regional parliaments. The Greens also emerged as the winners in the latest…

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Swiss Politics

Royal guests and Swiss hosts find similarities

This content was published on Apr 5, 2006 Both sides highlighted the many similarities between Switzerland – in the heart of Europe – and the Scandinavian country. The royal couple was given a reception with military honours in parliament square in the capital, Bern, on Wednesday. Despite the wintry weather several hundred people watched the ceremony which was attended by all seven members…

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Swiss double Sri Lanka tsunami aid

This content was published on Apr 5, 2006 The commitment came during a two-day visit to the country by senior Swiss aid officials and the charity Swiss Solidarity to assess the progress of reconstruction efforts. The money has been earmarked for post-tsunami rebuilding work in the southern district of Matara and the eastern area of Trincomalee, where a consortium of Swiss agencies is…

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Swiss Politics

Italian expats gear up for home elections

This content was published on Apr 5, 2006 Italians living abroad have been granted the right to vote for their own representatives as well as to put themselves forward as candidates for a seat in parliament. A 2001 law enables the more than 3.5 million Italian immigrants around the world to cast a postal ballot for their own candidates in the elections, which…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss request seat on new UN rights body

This content was published on Apr 4, 2006 Declaring its candidacy, Switzerland pledged to ensure the council became “a strong and effective body capable of protecting and promoting all human rights everywhere”. The Swiss, who played a central role in the creation of the new rights body, called on fellow UN member states to support its candidacy when elections for the 47-strong council…

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Swiss Politics

Fight against landmines goes on

This content was published on Apr 4, 2006 According to the Landmine Monitor Report, mines and unexploded ordinance kill or maim between 15,000 and 20,000 adults and children a year. Speaking in Geneva on Monday, Swiss diplomat Jürg Streuli said landmines remained a major problem worldwide despite the 1997 Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel mines. He…

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Expatriates seek impact on Swiss politics

This content was published on Apr 3, 2006 The decision comes as the number of Swiss abroad entitled to take part in votes and elections has passed 100,000 for the first time. “The expatriate community has come of age and could with its political weight – in theory – force a nationwide vote,” said Georg Stucky, president of the Organisation of the Swiss…

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Swiss Politics

Fifth Switzerland holds forth in Bern

This content was published on Apr 1, 2006 The many speakers will concentrate on Swiss expatriates’ priorities and prospects when it comes to participating in the political life of their country. The setting of Saturday’s discussion, the federal parliament, could not be more appropriate for what has often been termed the “Parliament of the Fifth Switzerland”. This year the subject of the council’s…

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US fingers Swiss firm for North Korean ties

This content was published on Mar 31, 2006 The Treasury Department designated Kohas AG, an import-export firm based in Fribourg, as a supporter of weapons proliferation and ordered the freezing of any assets it may hold in the US. The department alleged that Kohas has financial ties to a North Korean company, Korea Ryonbong General Corporation. The US government froze the Korean firm’s…

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