Swiss Politics

Swiss back UN plans for rebuilding nations

This content was published on May 27, 2005 Michael Ambühl, state secretary for foreign affairs, told the UN Security Council on Thursday that the Swiss were in favour of a new body to coordinate peace and reconstruction efforts. Meeting in New York, the Security Council “acknowledged that serious attention to the longer-term process of peacebuilding was critically important, and that adequate support for…

Swiss Politics

Backing for Schengen/Dublin begins to slide

This content was published on May 25, 2005 But most Swiss are still in favour of adhering to the treaties, according to a fifth and final poll on the issue. It finds that 55 per cent would vote “yes” if the ballot were held today. The poll, carried out for the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation by the Bern-based Gfs Institute, also showed that Swiss…

Swiss Politics

Asylum seekers demand legal status

This content was published on May 24, 2005 They cannot be expelled since their home countries will not take in people who have been forcibly repatriated. The demonstrators waved posters in front of the parliament building in Lausanne saying “We’ve worked in Switzerland for years” and “Our children were born in Switzerland”. At a media conference, representatives of the group – which numbers…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland turns its gaze beyond the EU

This content was published on May 19, 2005 In a strategy document released on Thursday, the foreign ministry showed more restraint in the issue of development aid, ruling out an increase in the budget. Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey said the change of focus was merely a refinement of the current foreign policy strategy. Although the EU was and would remain Switzerland’s most important…

Swiss Politics

Foreign policy puts business before aid

This content was published on May 19, 2005 Unveiling the new strategy this week, the foreign minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey, said the focus in future would be on strengthening ties with countries such as the United States. Development aid spending is to be frozen at its current level of around 0.4 per cent of gross domestic product. Critics say this effectively means Switzerland has…

Swiss Politics

EU keeps distant eye on Schengen vote

This content was published on May 19, 2005 But observers say this does not mean that Brussels is ignoring the Swiss political debate about how to forge closer ties with the EU. Voters go to the polls on Sunday to decide whether to sign up to the Schengen/Dublin accords governing closer cooperation on crime-fighting and asylum. Opponents of the treaties warn that nothing…

Swiss Politics

Experts call for integration of foreigners

This content was published on May 19, 2005 This was the main conclusion of a nationwide conference on integration – the first of its kind – attended by Justice Minister Christoph Blocher. Speaking in Biel on Thursday, Blocher said current policies had not succeeded in integrating certain groups of foreigners into Swiss society. But Blocher – who is known for his tough line…

Swiss Politics

Clinton comes to Bern

This content was published on May 18, 2005 Addressing a symposium, Clinton used the occasion to criticise the foreign policy of his successor, President Bush. Around 500 people packed into Bern’s Hotel Grand Casino Kursaal to hear Clinton’s words – and the former president had lost none of his talent for holding an audience’s rapt attention. His wide-ranging speech set out his vision…

Wealthy foreigners seek refuge in Switzerland

This content was published on May 18, 2005 But experts say wealthy foreigners are also still attracted by the country’s famous tax breaks and its high quality of life. Switzerland – whose population is made up of 20 per cent foreigners – is already home to thousands of prosperous immigrants and it is estimated that at least half of the country’s 300 richest…

Swiss Politics

Swiss consider future of Uzbek aid projects

This content was published on May 17, 2005 The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is waiting for more news before deciding how to proceed with development-aid projects it supports in the eastern Fergana Valley. Violence erupted in the Uzbek town of Andijan last week, after protesters stormed a prison and freed inmates. Witnesses said government troops opened fire on a crowd…

Swiss Politics

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Swiss Politics

More

Swiss back UN plans for rebuilding nations

More

Backing for Schengen/Dublin begins to slide

More

Asylum seekers demand legal status

More

Switzerland turns its gaze beyond the EU

More

Foreign policy puts business before aid

More

EU keeps distant eye on Schengen vote

More

Experts call for integration of foreigners

More

Clinton comes to Bern

More

Wealthy foreigners seek refuge in Switzerland

More

Swiss consider future of Uzbek aid projects

Popular Stories

Most Discussed