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Swiss Politics

Protesters force World Economic Forum chief to delay speech

This content was published on Jul 4, 2001 Up to 100 demonstrators blocked the entrance to the main conference hall at Zurich’s Federal Institute of Technology and prevented Schwab from reaching the podium. Rolf Probala, spokesman for the Institute, said the hall was already packed with members of the public when the protesters arrived to block the entrance. “After about half an hour,”…

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Poll finds EU countries keen to welcome Switzerland aboard

This content was published on Jul 2, 2001 The Eurobarometer poll conducted across the European Union found that almost half of those questioned – 42 per cent – thought Switzerland and Norway should be the first countries to enter the EU, although neither country is seeking membership at present. According to the survey, most Europeans felt uninformed and uninspired about plans to extend…

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Swiss president holds talks with Romanian counterpart

This content was published on Jul 1, 2001 Leuenberger used the occasion to describe relations between Switzerland and Romania as “excellent” and commended the Romanian government for its presidency of the Vienna-based Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Iliescu, who was also in Switzerland to attend the Crans Montana Forum summit of political and business leaders, talked of the two countries’…

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Balkan democracy under spotlight at Crans Montana Forum

This content was published on Jun 30, 2001 The Swiss foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, was a guest at the forum and spoke of the difficult task facing the international community in promoting stability in the troubled region. Deiss chaired a plenary session devoted to the subject of democracy, and told participants at the outset of the talks that the discussion should be wide…

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Czech President Havel wraps up visit to Switzerland

This content was published on Jun 29, 2001 The meadow, traditionally regarded as the birthplace of Switzerland, was the backdrop for speeches by both Havel and the Swiss president, Moritz Leuenberger. Havel, who has frequently declared himself “fascinated by places linked directly to the history of different countries”, specifically asked for a visit to the meadow to be included in his two-day itinerary.…

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Czech President Havel praises Switzerland

This content was published on Jun 28, 2001 In a speech to cabinet members, Havel outlined the problems and issues facing Europe as it goes through a process of greater institutional, economic and political unification. He said Switzerland – whether it was a member of the European Union or not – could serve as an example for others because people of different traditions,…

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UN membership is a must, say Swiss all-stars

This content was published on Jun 28, 2001 The group of about 20 personalities held a news conference in Bern to publicize the campaign for Switzerland joining the UN. The head of the Radical Party’s parliamentary group, Christine Beerli, said Swiss membership was long overdue, and would not compromise the country’s neutrality. She said the UN and Switzerland shared the same goals of…

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Government calls for easing of citizenship laws

This content was published on Jun 28, 2001 The main points include giving automatic citizenship to so-called third generation foreigners, defined as children born in Switzerland to foreign parents, and easing the citizenship procedure for young foreigners who went to school in Switzerland. Other considerations include granting a right to appeal to immigrants who have had their citizenship requests rejected, lowering the fee…

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Switzerland ready to begin new bilateral negotiations with EU

This content was published on Jun 27, 2001 The cabinet announcement follows Monday’s decision by the EU General Council to approve in principle negotiations on 10 designated issues. At the same time the Council instructed the European Commission to prepare mandates for opening talks with Switzerland on all the issues. The government said the EU decision was a green light to both parties.…

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Swiss organise refugee march in gesture of solidarity

This content was published on Jun 22, 2001 The project, called “escapeto.ch”, was organised by the Swiss Refugee Council to give participants an insight into what it is like to flee one’s home country and seek asylum in another. Julien Jaeckle, project manager of escapeto.ch, told swissinfo that the refugees invited to take part had jumped at the opportunity. “We had no problem…

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