Swiss Politics

ABB signs power deal with North Korea

This content was published on May 20, 2003 ABB spokesman, Wolfram Eberhardt, confirmed that the company has clinched a “memorandum of understanding” with Pyongyang, potentially worth “tens of millions” of francs. News of the agreement, which ABB emphasises is still at an early stage, came during a visit to the secretive country by the Swiss foreign minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey. “The memorandum of understanding…

Swiss Politics

Calmy-Rey takes historic step

This content was published on May 20, 2003 After completing the symbolic act, Micheline Calmy-Rey said Switzerland was prepared to act as a mediator to resolve the nuclear stand-off in the region. Calmy-Rey crossed the heavily fortified border to the village of Panmunjom early on Tuesday, after travelling through the four-kilometre buffer zone. “It was a small step, but I hope it will…

Swiss Politics

Talks with EU on asylum and crime enter last lap

This content was published on May 19, 2003 A tenth round of discussions between the sides opened in Brussels on Monday. Monique Jametti Greiner, who has been heading the Swiss negotiating team, told swissinfo that only a few points remained to be ironed out. “If there is the political will on both sides then I think it is possible that negotiations will end…

Swiss Politics

Swiss keep watch over fragile peace

This content was published on May 19, 2003 Sandwiched between more than 1.5 million troops, their mission is a peculiar mix of diplomacy, continuity and ritual. “In the 1950s, Switzerland’s role was far more hands-on,” Major-General Adrien Evéquoz, who commands the Swiss Observer Mission, told swissinfo. “Our predecessors used to carry out inspections of the number of troops and weapons that were entering…

Swiss Politics

Cuts to Swiss army voted through

This content was published on May 18, 2003 The plans foresee the reduction in size of the armed forces by a third and the introduction of more professional training programmes. Three-quarters of voters backed the army reforms, while 80 per cent came out in favour of overhauling the civil protection system. “By accepting the reforms the Swiss people have authorised two important elements…

Swiss Politics

Voting goes government’s way

This content was published on May 18, 2003 Only the two government-backed reforms – cutting back the army and civil defence system – were approved in the biggest voting round for 130 years. The cabinet had recommended that voters throw out all seven people’s initiatives, and approve only the two referenda – on reform of the army and civil protection. The Swiss president,…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss reject improved rights for disabled

This content was published on May 18, 2003 The high cost of improving access is thought to have persuaded voters to reject the initiative. More than 62 per cent of voters followed the government’s recommendations and voted against the proposal. The vote had been expected to be a close one, with some analysts predicting that the financial argument could lose out to the…

Swiss Politics

Calmy-Rey calls for end to Korean stand-off

This content was published on May 18, 2003 Calmy-Rey will become the first foreign government official on Tuesday to cross the demarcation line separating North and South Korea. “Switzerland insists on the negotiated settlement of all issues related to the Korean Peninsula,” said Calmy-Rey. Swiss officials said the foreign minister made the comments during talks with her North Korean counterpart, Paek Nam Sun,…

Swiss Politics

EU asks Switzerland to expand labour accord

This content was published on May 14, 2003 The country’s 26 cantons and Swiss foreign policy committees are set to begin debating the issue, prior to its referral to parliament. Chris Patten, the EU Commissioner for External Relations, appealed to Switzerland to continue its support of the EU’s enlargement. In a letter to the Swiss foreign minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey, Patten also called on…

Swiss Politics

Coalition welcomes Swiss aid efforts in Iraq

This content was published on May 12, 2003 The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) said the British and Americans in Baghdad had offered “every assistance”. The SDC’s humanitarian aid expert, Toni Frisch, went to Iraq on a fact-finding mission for the Swiss government shortly after the liaison bureau opened on May 5. Frisch told swissinfo that he had met the coalition…

Swiss Politics

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