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Swiss Politics

Swiss mount joint response to German dispute

This content was published on Mar 22, 2004 Monday’s discussions come ahead of high-level talks between Germany and Switzerland next month. The meeting brought together the Swiss president, Joseph Deiss, the foreign minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey, the transport minister, Moritz Leuenberger, as well as the seven Swiss cantons which have borders with Germany. Deiss said it was important to decide on a common strategy…

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Switzerland sidelined by EU enlargement

This content was published on Mar 22, 2004 At a press conference on Monday, Micheline Calmy-Rey said that recent disagreements with Germany had underscored the impact of staying outside the bloc. “As the EU welcomes ten new members in May, its centre of gravity will inevitably shift towards the east,” Calmy-Rey told reporters in Geneva. “And as a result, problems of national importance…

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Fear of voters paralyses government over EU

This content was published on Mar 21, 2004 He told swissinfo that in today’s expanding EU, there was no room for “exceptions” – Switzerland had to be in or out. Switzerland has long had an application for EU membership filed in Brussels, but the dossier is on ice for the current legislative period, which runs until 2007. Instead the government is pursuing a…

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Swiss Politics

“Democracy will not be built in Iraq”

This content was published on Mar 20, 2004 In an interview with swissinfo, Hottinger also blames the Israeli and US governments for the failure of the “Road Map” for peace in the occupied territories. Hottinger is a Swiss journalist, who is acknowledged as one of this country’s foremost experts on Middle East affairs. He spent more than 30 years as a correspondent in…

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Swiss Politics

Diplomat searches for peace in divided Cyprus

This content was published on Mar 19, 2004 As a special legal adviser to the United Nations, he has been heavily involved in the process of persuading Greek and Turkish Cypriots to end almost three decades of conflict. Pfirter returned to the Cypriot capital, Nicosia, last month to encourage both sides to reach an agreement before the country joins the European Union on…

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Swiss Politics

Switzerland to host Cyprus talks

This content was published on Mar 18, 2004 The talks, aimed at reunifying the island before entry into the European Union on May 1, are due to take place next week near Lucerne. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan wrote to both prime ministers asking them to attend, following a lack of progress at negotiations between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders. Cyprus has been…

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Swiss Politics

Honorary consul to Argentina wins expat award

This content was published on Mar 18, 2004 He was chosen from among 25 candidates for the award, which is worth SFr10,000 ($7,800). The jury said Würgler was given the prize for his tireless work on behalf of the people in Argentina’s rural Misiones province. Würgler and his Swiss wife were praised for their work in setting up the Instituto Linea Cuchilla –…

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Swiss Politics

Cracks emerge in “special relationship”

This content was published on Mar 16, 2004 Switzerland’s former ambassador to Germany told swissinfo that relations between the two countries have changed dramatically in recent years. According to Thomas Borer-Fielding, Germany has traditionally defended Switzerland’s interests in Brussels. But he says Berlin is no longer prepared to look out for its small neighbour, which insists on staying out of the EU. Germany’s…

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Swiss Politics

German-Swiss relations go down hill

This content was published on Mar 15, 2004 Normally well represented at the annual race in the Bernese Oberland resort of Adelboden, the Germans were conspicuous by their absence. The event was organised by Swiss-based EP Sport, whose company motto, “when sports connect politics”, rang hollow on Saturday since only two German politicians showed up. Relations between the two countries took a dive…

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Swiss Politics

Social Democrats look to broaden support

This content was published on Mar 13, 2004 He told swissinfo that the party aimed to become the country’s main political force at the next parliamentary elections in 2007. Fehr, who has almost 30 years of service at all levels within the centre-left Social Democrats, was chosen as the party’s new president just a week ago. The leaders of the other three parties…

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