Swiss Politics

Deiss signs treaties with Uzbekistan

This content was published on Apr 4, 2002 The accords, signed with the Uzbek foreign minister, Abdulaziz Kamilov, deal with reforming taxation and facilitating freight transport between the two countries. The agreements are part of a move to increase political and economic ties with Uzbekistan, considered the country with the greatest economic potential in the region. Deiss said he also hoped to forge…

Swiss Politics

Swiss have UN role, says British diplomat

This content was published on Mar 30, 2002 Opponents of UN membership have repeatedly argued that the Swiss will lack influence and will be forced to toe the line of the United States-dominated UN Security Council. However, Dr Nicola Brewer, director of global issues at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London, insisted that Switzerland would not be at the beck and call…

Swiss Politics

Morocco seeks help from Switzerland

This content was published on Mar 28, 2002 According to diplomatic sources in Geneva, the appeal was addressed to Swiss authorities and more than 171 copies were sent to signatories of the Geneva Conventions. At least 900 Moroccan prisoners of war were captured by Polisario fighters more than 20 years ago. The Polisario movement, or Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el…

Swiss Politics

Centenary reveals parliament’s naked truth

This content was published on Mar 28, 2002 Tour guide Sonja Raemy leads visitors into the lavishly decorated lobby or “Wandelhalle” outside the chamber where members of the House of Representatives debate. With a smile, she anticipates the response of visitors, when she directs their attention to the playful art on the ceiling. The figures in the paintings are symbolic, many humorous and…

Swiss Politics

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…

Swiss Politics

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…

Swiss Politics

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…

Swiss Politics

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…

Swiss Politics

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…

Swiss Politics

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,”…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Deiss signs treaties with Uzbekistan

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Swiss have UN role, says British diplomat

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Morocco seeks help from Switzerland

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Centenary reveals parliament’s naked truth

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Switzerland takes a step closer to Europe

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Former New York mayor recalls events of September 11

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Switzerland seeks more influence over Antarctica

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Notion of Swiss neutrality is outdated, says former diplomat

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Green light for long-awaited gold charity

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Cracking down on hooligans

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