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Swiss Politics

English becomes fourth language of government

This content was published on Mar 9, 2002 Switzerland is constitutionally bound to translate all government documents into the three national languages. From the summer, English translators will join their German, French and Italian speaking counterparts in translating the bulk of government literature. The service will be ranked equally with the other translation units at an administrative level, although initially it will be…

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Swiss humanitarian effort to benefit from UN membership

This content was published on Mar 8, 2002 Walter Fust, director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation – or SDC – said adhesion to the UN will make the humanitarian organisation more credible and efficient overseas. Fust was speaking at the annual SDC conference held on Friday in the Swiss town of Montreux. The Swiss foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, said Switzerland…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss mark International Women’s Day

This content was published on Mar 8, 2002 Besides lauding achievements, the Swiss also have used the occasion to explore many of the current issues and problems women face. In Bern, prominent Swiss women made speeches, while the Federal Office for Refugees threw open its doors to welcome visitors and workshop participants. The workshops examined such topics as pay, children’s rights, and immigrants’…

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Swiss Politics

Immigration plan would favour EU countries

This content was published on Mar 8, 2002 Under a controversial bill presented on Friday by the justice minister, Ruth Metzler, people from outside the EU or EFTA, including residents of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, would only get permission to immigrate to Switzerland if they have special skills or qualifications. The move is aimed at enshrining the current practice in law, but Metzler…

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Swiss Politics

UN vote offers no clues to Europe

This content was published on Mar 5, 2002 “The UN and EU cannot be compared because they are totally different,” says political analyst, Curt Gasteyger. He told swissinfo that UN membership would have little impact on Switzerland, whereas joining the EU would entail a major overhaul of the country’s political institutions. “The United Nations is a global institution and in many ways non-committal…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss look ahead to UN role

This content was published on Mar 5, 2002 Switzerland has had observer status at the UN for 57 years, and is already a member of its specialised agencies. But that does not mean it is going to hit the ground running when it eventually joins in September, following Sunday’s “yes” vote to membership. “We should not pretend we can do from day one…

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Swiss Politics

Government hails UN victory

This content was published on Mar 3, 2002 However, opponents of UN membership said they were extremely disappointed, adding that they had been up against the concerted might of the government, media and the business community. The final result, which showed 55 per cent of voters in favour, means that the way is clear for Switzerland to take up its seat in the…

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Swiss Politics

Geneva toasts Swiss decision to join UN

This content was published on Mar 3, 2002 The new Director General of the United Nations in Geneva, Sergei Ordzhonikidze, said the UN “welcomes the decision very warmly”. “This is an important event. The United Nations is now truly universal,” he told swissinfo. “Switzerland is a vivid example of peace, democracy, protection of human rights, the environment, development – exactly the values the…

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Swiss Politics

Switzerland votes to join the world

This content was published on Mar 3, 2002 Sunday’s poll means that Switzerland is soon to become the 190th member of the UN – the last country bar the Vatican to join the world body. The UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, cheered the result saying it showed Switzerland’s commitment to the work and ideals of the UN. He added that Switzerland had long…

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Swiss poised to vote yes to UN membership

This content was published on Mar 3, 2002 By early afternoon, exit polls showed 55 per cent popular support for UN membership, while among the cantons, the “yes” vote was ahead by a single canton. The vote is too close to call, but the no campaign – led by the rightwing populist Christoph Blocher – is seen as being on the defensive, unlike…

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