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Swiss Politics

Zurich feels ambivalent about Europe

This content was published on Mar 30, 2006 But the economy would clearly benefit from maintaining the current approach through bilateral treaties between Switzerland and Brussels. Zurich, one of the country’s 26 cantons, is the economic hub of Switzerland and home to about one sixth of the population. It also claims to be a pillar of the country’s agriculture sector. The report, published…

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Swiss Politics

Bern threatens sanctions against Belarus

This content was published on Mar 28, 2006 It added that if there was no improvement in the political situation in the country, it would consider imposing sanctions – following similar moves by other countries. In a statement released on Monday, the Swiss foreign ministry said it “reiterates the regrets that it expressed after the presidential election, which did not meet recognised international…

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Swiss Politics

End of the line for UN rights commission

This content was published on Mar 27, 2006 The United Nations body, which has been widely criticised for allowing some members to escape condemnation, is to be replaced on June 19 by a new global human rights watchdog. “We hope this is a new start,” Jean-Daniel Vigny, minister for human rights at the Swiss Mission to the UN in Geneva, told swissinfo. “Even…

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Swiss Politics

A communist takes on the tax cutters

This content was published on Mar 27, 2006 Joseph Zisyadis moved to a mountain region in central Switzerland where voters approved the introduction of a degressive tax system in a bid to attract businesses and the wealthy. Zisyadis, who until January lived on Lake Geneva in the French-speaking part of the country, has lodged an appeal against the new tax regime with the…

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Swiss Politics

EU cohesion fund needed to cement relationship

This content was published on Mar 26, 2006 Swiss Economics Minister Joseph Deiss echoed the diplomat’s comments, criticising the rightwing Swiss People’s Party for calling for a nationwide vote on the issue. Andreas von Stechow, Germany’s new ambassador to Switzerland, told the NZZ am Sonntag newspaper that a “no” vote to the Swiss financial contribution to the so-called EU Cohesion Fund would damage…

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Swiss Politics

Brussels hopes for Swiss solidarity

This content was published on Mar 24, 2006 Danuta Hübner says European Union citizens hope Swiss voters will approve their country’s SFr1-billion ($800-million) Swiss contribution to the so-called Cohesion Fund in the ballot expected to take place. Switzerland’s contribution is aimed at helping alleviate social and economic disparities among EU member states . Swiss assistance to the ten new states will be accorded…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss “satisfied” with water declaration

This content was published on Mar 23, 2006 But the declaration stopped short of demanding that water be recognised as a human right – a move criticised by several countries and by many non-governmental organisations. The week-long Mexico forum, organised by the World Water Council and the Mexican authorities, wrapped up on Wednesday after a two-day ministerial meeting. In a joint declaration, representatives…

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Swiss Politics

Aid package wins approval but faces new battle

This content was published on Mar 20, 2006 But several rightwing parties have threatened to challenge the agreement to a nationwide vote. The Senate on Monday followed the House of Representatives in adopting an extension of a programme introduced in the 1990s. It is aimed at helping eastern European countries transform into market economies following the collapse of the Communist regimes. Switzerland has…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss push for UN Security Council reform

This content was published on Mar 20, 2006 The resolution, which calls for reform of how the UN’s most powerful body works, includes limiting the use of the veto held by its “permanent five” members. The resolution, jointly signed by Switzerland, Singapore, Liechtenstein, Jordan and Costa Rica, was presented to the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday. “The aim is not…

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Swiss Politics

UN rights commission adjourns again

This content was published on Mar 20, 2006 Manuel Rodriguez Cuadros, the commission’s president, said on Monday that he needed to wait for further details on the handover to the new Human Rights Council. “We need a decision from the [UN] Economic and Social Council so that the commission can resume its work in a coherent manner,” said Rodriguez Cuadros. The 53-member commission,…

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