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Switzerland takes a step closer to Europe

This content was published on Mar 26, 2002 The date marks the go-live day for the long-awaited bilateral agreements signed between Switzerland and the 15 EU nations to liberalise labour markets, agriculture, air traffic and research. The final green light comes after over four years of negotiations and parliamentary debates. The Swiss government’s foreign promotion wing, Osec Business Network Switzerland, highlighted the news…

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Former New York mayor recalls events of September 11

This content was published on Mar 26, 2002 Giuliani, who served as mayor of the city of New York from 1993 until the end of 2001, also expressed his thanks to the Swiss people for their “support and the warmth and generosity of their response to the crisis that we faced last year”. “A good deal of the reason why the people of…

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Switzerland seeks more influence over Antarctica

This content was published on Mar 25, 2002 The relatively pristine wilderness of the frozen continent is threatened by global environmental change, the pressures of tourism and the ambitions of several countries. Switzerland currently has observer status under the Antarctic Treaty, but is seeking to extend its influence to ensure Antarctica remains a demilitarised, nuclear free zone that is protected from the territorial…

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Notion of Swiss neutrality is outdated, says former diplomat

This content was published on Mar 24, 2002 Edouard Brunner, who served at the Swiss foreign ministry from 1984 to 1989, said Switzerland had failed to invent a new role for itself in the international arena since the collapse of the Soviet Union. “Up to the end of the Cold War … the role of Switzerland was as a sort of mediator between…

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Green light for long-awaited gold charity

This content was published on Mar 22, 2002 Both houses of parliament backed the plan on Friday, quelling fears that right wing parties would scuttle the proposed fund, and expose Switzerland to international criticism. The fund still faces a crucial public test before becoming concrete, with a nation-wide vote expected later this or next year. The Swiss People’s Party failed in its campaign…

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Cracking down on hooligans

This content was published on Mar 20, 2002 The Swiss Olympic association, in conjunction with the Federal Office for Sport, was due to hammer out details of the new “Commission against Violence at Sporting Events” on Wednesday. “We had bad experiences both at football and ice hockey matches last year and now we are organising a group to cover all sports in Switzerland,”…

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Switzerland imposes sanctions on Zimbabwe

This content was published on Mar 20, 2002 The foreign ministry said the decision had been taken after the election and as a response to the “constant violations of human rights in that country”. The announcement, on Tuesday, came on the same day that Zimbabwe was suspended from the Commonwealth for one year. The Swiss sanctions, which came into force on Wednesday, include…

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Tax row overshadows Rome talks

This content was published on Mar 20, 2002 The Italian amnesty – believed to have triggered billions in capital flight out of Swiss banks – is among a number of issues clouding Couchepin’s visit to Rome, where he is holding talks with the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The amnesty was introduced last year to encourage Italians to repatriate some of their savings…

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Changes afoot

This content was published on Mar 19, 2002 Since being introduced in 1986, the current league structure has been repeatedly criticised for being too complicated and too long. The Swiss league has now responded to those criticisms, proposing a simpler format along with a reduction of teams in the country’s top division. “It’s not just a change of formula,” insists national league director…

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US accused of hijacking Monterrey agenda

This content was published on Mar 18, 2002 With the world failing to implement an ambitious agenda for reducing poverty, set at a UN summit two years ago, and with attention focused instead on the US-led “war on terrorism”, the mood going into the conference in Monterrey is one of low expectations. Monterrey is seen as a key stepping stone on the path…

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