Swiss Politics

Swiss soldiers “valued” in Kosovo

This content was published on Oct 2, 2005 Brunetti, who has spent six months in charge of a 220-strong Swisscoy contingent, said the Swiss soldiers played a vital role in bringing stability to the region. swissinfo: In a few days, you will return to Switzerland with the 12th Swisscoy contingent after a tour of duty – how did it go? Stefano Brunetti: It…

Swiss Politics

NGOs sound alarm over information summit

This content was published on Sep 30, 2005 Wolf Ludwig, a spokesman for Swiss non-governmental organisations, says participants from civil society have been sidelined, and are considering a boycott of the UN-sponsored event, which is to take place in Tunisia. In comparison with other UN conferences, the WSIS was to have been more innovative in its approach, enabling NGOs to work closely with…

Swiss Politics

Kosovo remains peacekeepers’ testing ground

This content was published on Sep 30, 2005 swissinfo found the soldiers carrying out armed patrols as well as concentrating on providing logistical support. An armoured personnel carrier follows closely behind a four-wheel-drive vehicle. But before heading out on patrol, the Swiss troops have to get past the military camp checkpoint, manned by Austrian soldiers. The guards meticulously check to ensure the Swiss…

Swiss Politics

EU won’t be drawn on Swiss membership issue

This content was published on Sep 26, 2005 The European Commissioner for External Relations, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, said it was up to the Swiss to decide whether to continue with the bilateral approach or to become an EU member. She is due to meet Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey in Strasbourg on Tuesday. Diana Wallis, who heads the EU parliamentary delegation responsible for Swiss…

Swiss Politics

Expert calls for conditional EU membership

This content was published on Sep 26, 2005 Schwok says he thinks the decision to extend the free movement of people treaty to the ten new member states will not lead to major changes in Swiss-EU relations over the next decade. Schwok, a professor at Geneva University’s Graduate Institute of European Studies, has been a long-time observer of Switzerland’s political scene. swissinfo: Is…

Swiss Politics

Swiss abroad back labour accord

This content was published on Sep 26, 2005 With “yes” votes averaging 75 per cent, the Fifth Switzerland believed that a rejection of extending the accord to the ten new EU members would have caused serious problems for bilateral relations with Brussels. “This result is very important – also for the existing bilateral treaties with the ‘old’ EU countries,” Rudolf Wyder, Organisation of…

Swiss Politics

Swiss “yes” baffles Brussels bar-hoppers

This content was published on Sep 25, 2005 But the atmosphere was decidedly flat on the streets of Brussels as swissinfo gauged reaction to the vote in the heart of the EU power base. “Switzerland has proved once again that it is a reliable partner of the EU,” said Bernhard Marfurt, head of the Swiss mission in Brussels. “Our partnership has been strengthened…

Swiss Politics

Labour-accord ballot shows voter “pragmatism”

This content was published on Sep 25, 2005 But Lutz does not believe the result will undermine the rightwing – and traditionally eurosceptical – Swiss People’s Party, which had campaigned against the extension. On Sunday Swiss voters agreed by a majority of 56 per cent to open the domestic labour market and give the new EU members the right to live and work…

Swiss Politics

Support for EU labour accord beats expectations

This content was published on Sep 25, 2005 The result was clearer than expected and represents a victory for the government. German- and French-speaking areas of the country voted “yes”, while Italian-speaking Ticino said “no”. Just seven of the 26 cantons said “no” to opening up the labour market, mainly those in the conservative heartland of central Switzerland. Approval of the accord was…

Swiss Politics

Swiss “yes” to EU accord beats expectations

This content was published on Sep 25, 2005 The result was clearer than expected, and represents a victory for the government. German- and French-speaking areas of the country voted “yes”, while Italian-speaking Ticino said “no”. Only seven of the country’s 26 cantons said no to extending the free movement of people accord, including the southern canton of Ticino. Approval of the accord was…

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Swiss soldiers “valued” in Kosovo

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NGOs sound alarm over information summit

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Kosovo remains peacekeepers’ testing ground

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EU won’t be drawn on Swiss membership issue

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Expert calls for conditional EU membership

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Swiss abroad back labour accord

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Swiss “yes” baffles Brussels bar-hoppers

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Labour-accord ballot shows voter “pragmatism”

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Support for EU labour accord beats expectations

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Swiss “yes” to EU accord beats expectations

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