Swiss Politics

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

Swiss Politics

Hopes raised over human-rights council

This content was published on Jun 8, 2005 The council, a permanent body of the UN, would replace the organisation’s discredited Human Rights Commission. “We haven’t reached a consensus yet, but we are progressing,” said Switzerland’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Blaise Godet. Representatives from 60 nations, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, met in Lausanne on Tuesday for…

Swiss Politics

Ambassador reflects on Swiss-Turkish relations

This content was published on Jun 8, 2005 The foreign affairs committee of the Turkish Grand National Assembly begins a weeklong visit to Switzerland on Monday. “Swiss-Turkish relations have always been characterised by a good mutual understanding,” Kiliç says with unsurprising diplomacy. “Switzerland plays a very prominent role in Turkish history – the treaty establishing Turkey as a republic was signed in Lausanne…

Swiss Politics

Swiss army can go shopping at last

This content was published on Jun 8, 2005 The Senate has approved a new version of the military’s arms procurement programme for 2004, after the army’s original wish list was sent back to the drawing board in March. This had marked the first time in political history that the two houses of parliament had failed to agree on such a package. The military’s…

Swiss Politics

EU stands firm on bilateral accords

This content was published on Jun 7, 2005 Some Swiss politicians have denied that the agreements – part of two sets of bilateral treaties – are directly related. Officials in Brussels have shown little understanding for the outcry in Switzerland over a statement by the EU foreign-affairs commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner. She said that Switzerland could only participate in the passport-free Schengen zone if…

Swiss Politics

Swiss unimpressed by EU interference

This content was published on Jun 7, 2005 But Karin Gilland Lutz, a political analyst at Bern University, told swissinfo that the government should not have been surprised by such comments from Brussels. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the Austrian-born EU foreign-affairs commissioner, warned on Monday of the consequences if the Swiss refuse to extend an existing treaty on the free movement of people to include…

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EU labour accord splits Swiss People’s Party

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Extension of free movement gets short shrift

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Swiss seek to prevent Red Cross conflict

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Women carry charter of rights to Switzerland

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Schmid reinforces ties with London

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Hopes raised over human-rights council

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Ambassador reflects on Swiss-Turkish relations

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Swiss army can go shopping at last

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EU stands firm on bilateral accords

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Swiss unimpressed by EU interference

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