Swiss Politics

EU membership application not to be withdrawn

This content was published on Oct 26, 2005 A report on all the options regarding the EU, including membership, will be presented by next summer, to help decide the ultimate direction on Europe. Foreign minister Micheline Calmy-Rey said that the government was determined to maintain a “policy of active cooperation” in Europe. A purely defensive, fearful approach to Europe, always saying no and…

Swiss Politics

Swiss keep options open on EU membership

This content was published on Oct 26, 2005 swissinfo spoke to her just before the Swiss government decided to leave the country’s membership application on ice in Brussels. The cabinet said on Wednesday that EU membership remained a “long-term option” for Switzerland. Speaking after the cabinet meeting, Economics Minister Joseph Deiss said there was no reason to withdraw the application, which has been…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland goes in search of better press

This content was published on Oct 23, 2005 The former journalist says he hopes to increase foreign coverage by tapping into Swiss embassies and flagging up the activities of international Geneva. After a short stint at the bi-monthly Bilan business magazine, the former adviser to cabinet minister Pascal Couchepin has re-joined the federal administration. The foreign ministry has charged him with fostering relations…

Swiss Politics

Conference hails “landmark” day for Bosnia

This content was published on Oct 21, 2005 The two-day conference, which wrapped up on Friday, was being held in Geneva to discuss the future of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The European Commission announced on Friday that it had recommended the start of long-delayed talks on closer ties between the EU and Bosnia. Bosnia is the only country in the Balkans which has not yet started…

Swiss Politics

Swiss likely to approve both November votes

This content was published on Oct 21, 2005 The gfs institute survey, which was commissioned by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation – swissinfo’s parent company – comes a month before the two issues go to a vote. The Swiss will go to the polls on November 27 to decide whether the labour law should be modified to allow Sunday shopping at major railways stations…

Swiss Politics

Geneva marks ten years of peace in Bosnia

This content was published on Oct 19, 2005 In 1995 the Dayton peace agreement signalled the end of a four-year conflict in Bosnia in which an estimated 100,000 people died and two million became refugees. The peace process began in Geneva on September 8, 1995, under the guidance of the Swedish mediator and former High Representative in Bosnia, Carl Bildt. The peace treaty…

Swiss Politics

New president chosen for Swiss Arts Council

This content was published on Oct 19, 2005 Mario Annoni, a member of the Bern cantonal government, is replacing Yvette Jaggi at the helm of Pro Helvetia – the Swiss organisation for promoting the arts. More than a third of the current board members have been replaced, the interior ministry said on Wednesday. The board of Pro Helvetia has been reduced from 35…

Swiss Politics

Row over Swiss funds to poor EU countries

This content was published on Oct 18, 2005 Alliance Sud said the money set aside by Switzerland for the cohesion funds to support Europe’s weaker economies, should come from other sources. Switzerland agreed to pay SFr1 billion ($840 million) towards the cohesion funds over a five-year period when it signed the second series of bilateral agreements with the EU in May 2004. But…

Swiss Politics

Donor nations need to do more for Sudan

This content was published on Oct 15, 2005 The law professor warns that while peace may have returned to the troubled region after 20 years of civil war, the situation is still far from secure for returnees. After a ten-day visit to Southern Sudan, Kälin called this week on the international community, donor countries and the Sudanese government to ensure the rights of…

Swiss Politics

Swiss forced to re-evaluate extremist threat

This content was published on Oct 14, 2005 The public appearance of 800 Nazi skinheads on August 1 during National Day celebrations on the Rütli, the traditional birthplace of Switzerland, turned a spotlight on the issue and triggered a national debate. Then in September 400 neo-Nazis participated in an unauthorised concert in Valais in honour of Ian Stuart, founder of the extremist organisation…

Swiss Politics

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