Swiss Politics

Switzerland prepares to join the world

This content was published on Sep 10, 2002 The big question now is how exactly will United Nations membership alter Swiss foreign policy? Until now Switzerland has been the biggest country outside the United Nations. In voting to join the world body last March, the Swiss people were acknowledging that this special status was doing the country more harm than good. Enough people…

Swiss Politics

Speedy timetable to UN membership

This content was published on Sep 10, 2002 Switzerland’s entry comes just six months after the Swiss people and the cantons voted to join the organisation. The Security Council was swift to support the Swiss application in June: it was approved unanimously within five minutes, without the need to cast votes. Similarly, Tuesday’s ceremony – which comes during the opening of the UN’s…

Swiss Politics

EXPO 02

This content was published on Sep 5, 2002 Most of the infrastructure at the four exhibition sites was designed with the handicapped in mind.

Long road to membership

This content was published on Sep 5, 2002 The linchpin was the choice of Geneva as the seat of the League of Nations and later as the European headquarters of the UN. 1919 On April 28 the Paris Conference agreed to the Covenant of the League of Nations. Geneva became seat of the first organization for peace and international safety. The new League…

UN’s newest members are poles apart

This content was published on Sep 5, 2002 For Switzerland, though, there will be no sentimental attachment to the world’s newest nation. Switzerland joins the “family of nations” on September 10. East Timor follows suit on September 27. For the UN, this is hugely symbolic: with the exception of the Vatican City, every country on Earth will be part of this global family.…

Swiss Politics

Negotiations peak at Earth summit

This content was published on Sep 2, 2002 Swiss officials say negotiations on the terms of a political declaration and global plan of action are entering their final, decisive phase. “The time for deals is approaching,” said the Swiss ambassador for the environment, Beat Nobs. Serge Chappatte, a senior Swiss negotiator at the summit, said the final round of talks between world leaders…

Swiss Politics

Federalism offers strong salve for ethnic conflict

This content was published on Aug 30, 2002 The extent to which federalism can point the way to peaceful coexistence has been one of the main themes at the international conference on federalism in St Gallen. Federalism is by no means a global panacea for the world’s problems, says University of Melbourne professor, and a speaker at the conference, Cheryl Saunders. But it…

Swiss Politics

Conference ends with ringing endorsement of federalism

This content was published on Aug 30, 2002 The delegates were largely preaching to the converted so the four-day meeting ended with an affirmation of the virtues of the federal system. Canadian Prime Minister, Jean Chrétien, Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes and Swiss Justice Minister Ruth Metzler were among the 500 guests who endorsed the virtues of the system. In her address at…

Swiss Politics

Swiss put brave face on prospects for faltering summit

This content was published on Aug 28, 2002 Chief Swiss negotiator, Serge Chappatte, said Switzerland had significantly lowered its expectations ahead of next week’s ministerial negotiations. He told swissinfo that he still anticipated a global action plan of the “lowest common denominator”, which means without binding obligations and little in the way of timetabled international commitments to tackle poverty and safeguard the environment.…

Swiss Politics

Swiss president extols virtues of federalism

This content was published on Aug 27, 2002 Villiger told the 500 delegates from some 60 countries assembled in the Swiss city of St Gallen that federalism should serve as model for Europe and the rest of the world. The system which allows ethnic and cultural groups a meaningful place in the political process has played a key role in making Switzerland what…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Switzerland prepares to join the world

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Speedy timetable to UN membership

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EXPO 02

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Long road to membership

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UN’s newest members are poles apart

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Negotiations peak at Earth summit

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Federalism offers strong salve for ethnic conflict

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Conference ends with ringing endorsement of federalism

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Swiss put brave face on prospects for faltering summit

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Swiss president extols virtues of federalism

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