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Swiss Politics

Russia demands payment for Swiss aid destined for Georgia

This content was published on Feb 20, 2001 The Swiss defence ministry said on Tuesday that Bern was also being told to pay charges for having described the cargo incorrectly. The payment demand goes against a deal agreed earlier this month by the Russian foreign minister, Igor Ivanov, during a meeting in Bern with his Swiss counterpart, Joseph Deiss. Russian authorities stopped the…

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Switzerland pledges SFr50 million to Albania

This content was published on Feb 20, 2001 Switzerland pledged the money on Tuesday after Bern and Tirana signed an accord covering technical and financial cooperation, as well as humanitarian aid. The head of the agency, Walter Fust, and his Albanian counterpart, Ermelinda Meksi, signed the agreement in Tirana. Switzerland has invested SFr120 million in Albania over the last nine years. The funds…

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Swiss Politics

Foreign population approaches 1.4 million

This content was published on Feb 20, 2001 The latest figures, released by the Federal Aliens Office on Tuesday, show that foreigners make up 19.3 per cent of the Swiss population, 0.1 per cent more than in 1999. German nationals made up the biggest increase in absolute terms, with six percent more moving to Switzerland last year than in 1999. The number of…

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Ticino voters reject subsidies for private schools

This content was published on Feb 19, 2001 A counter-initiative launched by the cantonal government was also rejected by 72.3 per cent of the population. As a result of the vote, parents who send their children to private schools will not receive state subsidies to help pay the fees. On a federal level, the issue has also been the subject of heated debate.…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss reassure EU of desire for further accords

This content was published on Feb 16, 2001 The Swedish prime minister, Göran Persson, told Leuenberger that Sweden was prepared for early and wide-ranging discussions on a series of issues, aimed at intensifying ties between the Swiss and the EU. Persson said he was confident that solutions could be found to outstanding problems, and called for discussions to take place while Sweden had…

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Swiss Politics

Geneva celebrates contributions of refugees

This content was published on Feb 15, 2001 The Streets of Geneva exhibition is being organised by the city authorities as part of the events marking the 50th anniversary of the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR). It will be on display in a number of public places until the end of July. Consisting of 16 large information panels, the exhibition is currently at…

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Switzerland joins Nato virtual peacekeeping mission

This content was published on Feb 15, 2001 The chiefs of staffs from all 19 Nato countries and 14 partner nations will be faced with the task of keeping the peace on a fictitious island, Nogisland, for one week. However, they will work from their own offices and no troops will be deployed. The Swiss defence ministry said the exercise would entail planning…

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Swiss Politics

Swissaid launches power-to-the-people campaign

This content was published on Feb 14, 2001 Swissaid says that without people who show courage and determination against intransigent or bad government, development would remain a dead letter in many parts of the world. The Bern-based organisation says its long-term objective is to empower people at the grassroots level in developing countries so that they do not become dependent on outside help,…

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Geneva first to move to “high-tech” voting

This content was published on Feb 13, 2001 On March 4, machines will be used to count the majority of ballots from canton Geneva in a nationwide vote on the “Yes to Europe” initiative, which calls on the federal government to open immediate membership negotiations with the European Union. Five machines will be used to count postal votes, which account for a staggering…

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Cantons seek to slow moves towards Europe

This content was published on Feb 9, 2001 In a letter delivered to the federal government, the Conference of Cantonal Governments says Switzerland must consider what effect its actions could have on Swiss neutrality and federalism. They fear that the continuation of bilateral negotiations with the EU could lead to a loss of cantonal sovereignty. Peter Schönenberger, the Conference president, said the cantons…

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