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Swiss Politics

Swiss strive for peace in Sudan

This content was published on Jun 21, 2005 The United Nations is to take over responsibility for keeping the peace between the government and rebels in the south of the country with Switzerland’s support. The ceasefire agreement was signed at the luxury Bürgenstock resort above Lake Lucerne in January 2002. Since then Switzerland has played a key role in keeping both sides at…

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Thousands demonstrate in support of refugees

This content was published on Jun 18, 2005 Events were held simultaneously in 200 other towns across the country to protest at Switzerland’s tougher stance on asylum issues. “We will not put up with xenophobic words and political parties,” said Hannes Reiser of the European Citizens’ Forum in an opening speech. Among other speakers at the Bern gathering was former government minister Ruth…

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Swiss Politics

Residents back industrial development plan

This content was published on Jun 18, 2005 Approved by the local executive, the plan had met with resistance from many of the community’s 1,548 residents, who collected enough signatures to force Sunday’s referendum. Thomas Fleiner, director of Fribourg University Institute of Federalism, told swissinfo the case was a good example of how direct democracy works in Switzerland. The Swatch Group, the world’s…

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Latvian talks focus on defence and Europe

This content was published on Jun 17, 2005 European issues, specifically Switzerland’s agreement with the European Union on the free movement of people, were the focus of discussions during the two-day visit. Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga told Schmid she hoped Swiss voters would agree to extend the treaty to the ten new EU member states, which include Latvia, when they go to the…

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Calmy-Rey to discuss future status of Kosovo

This content was published on Jun 15, 2005 Her visit comes less than a month after a senior Swiss diplomat referred to the possibility of independence for the province during a speech to the United Nations Security Council. The Swiss ambassador to the UN in New York, Peter Maurer, spoke of an “evolution towards a formal independence” for Kosovo at a Security Council…

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EU labour accord splits Swiss People’s Party

This content was published on Jun 14, 2005 At least 20 members of parliament have told the media that they oppose the party’s official position, which is against extending an existing EU accord on the free movement of people. The issue has also divided the country – according to a recent poll, 44 per cent would vote “no” to removing restrictions for citizens…

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Swiss Politics

Extension of free movement gets short shrift

This content was published on Jun 12, 2005 If voters turn down the extension in September, bilateral treaties signed by Switzerland and the EU – including the Schengen/Dublin accords on security and asylum – could be threatened. The survey, carried out on behalf of the Matin Dimanche newspaper a few days after the Swiss voted in favour of the Schengen/Dublin accords, shows that…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss seek to prevent Red Cross conflict

This content was published on Jun 10, 2005 The long-standing controversy focuses on the refusal by Israel to adopt either of the movement’s two approved emblems on religious grounds. The Israeli aid organisation, Magen David Adom (Red Star of David), has wanted to join the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies since 1949. But its application request has always been…

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Swiss Politics

Women carry charter of rights to Switzerland

This content was published on Jun 9, 2005 The relay, which began in Brazil on March 8, will take in more than 50 countries over a seven-month period. It is only the second time the event has been held. The first march was in 2000. Switzerland is the next stop after Bulgaria. From here the charter will pass to Spain on June 14.…

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Swiss Politics

Schmid reinforces ties with London

This content was published on Jun 9, 2005 Schmid affirmed Switzerland’s desire to remain a major partner of the Union, a few months ahead of an important Swiss vote on an EU labour accord. “Last Sunday’s vote in favour of the Schengen/Dublin accords showed we are a serious partner,” said Schmid in London. A respectable majority of Swiss voters agreed that Bern should…

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