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Switzerland takes further step towards joining UN

This content was published on Jun 29, 2000 Deiss said the goals of the UN were the same as those of Switzerland’s foreign policy, and that membership would have no impact on Switzerland’s centuries-old neutrality. “Neutrality is not a hindrance for Switzerland to join the UN. On the contrary: it is very good reason to do so,” he said. The foreign minister added…

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Balkans Stability Pact row ended

This content was published on Jun 29, 2000 The announcement was made by the foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, on Thursday. The Balkans Stability Pact was set up in 1999 at the initiative of the European Union to oversee development aid projects in the Balkans. Its aims include the reconstruction of Kosovo, and the promotion of stability and human rights in the province, which…

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Government presents UN membership proposal

This content was published on Jun 29, 2000 It said the goals of the UN were the same as those of Switzerland’s foreign policy, and that membership would have no impact on Switzerland’s centuries-old neutrality. The government added that current estimates put the additional cost of UN membership at SFr50-60 million per year. The statements were made on Thursday at the start of…

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Switzerland and UEFA fall out over Yugoslav Euro2000 prize money

This content was published on Jun 28, 2000 Yugoslavia had a successful run in the opening round of the tournament, which is co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium. Despite having a player sent off in every game, the team managed a place in the quarterfinals, but were eliminated after losing 6-1 to the Netherlands. All eight quarter-finalists get SFr 7.5 million, which is…

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Switzerland ratifies convention condemning child labour

This content was published on Jun 28, 2000 The economics minister, Pascal Couchepin, handed over the instruments of ratification to the director of the Geneva-based ILO, Juan Somavia, in the presence of 200 children. The officials then launched one thousand balloons into the air to celebrate Switzerland’s accession to the convention. Prostitution, forced labour, illegal trafficking in children, recruitment of children for the…

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Majority of Swiss want number of foreigners limited

This content was published on Jun 28, 2000 The poll on limiting the number of foreigners to 18 per cent was carried out ahead of a nation-wide vote on the issue in September. “If people had to vote now, they would favour this initiative,” the justice ministry spokesman, Viktor Schlumpf told swissinfo. Fifty-one per cent of the population approved the measure in the…

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Spread the benefits of globalisation, Swiss president tells world leaders

This content was published on Jun 28, 2000 Ogi said that global economic progress had to be accompanied by social responsibility. He also called for the creation of a small council, similar to the United Nations Security Council, to put into practice the resolutions of conferences like the current Social Summit in Geneva. The Forum features discussions on some 50 topics of international…

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Confronting Swiss refugee policy, past and present, in school

This content was published on Jun 27, 2000 The controversy over Switzerland’s wartime refugee policy, with the country standing accused of turning back Jews fleeing the Nazis, has shown a certain ignorance or unwillingness on the part of the Swiss when it comes to dealing with the past. Many schoolteachers feel increasingly puzzled or even helpless when faced with questions from students about…

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Interior minister says EU application long overdue

This content was published on Jun 27, 2000 She called for the membership application, which was frozen in 1992, to be revived within three years so that a referendum can be held by 2006. The Social Democratic minister rejected claims she was pressing for an acceleration of steps towards the EU. “A vote in 2006, 14 years after the membership bid was handed…

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Social Summit takes to the streets of Geneva

This content was published on Jun 27, 2000 Twenty-six street theatre groups from all over the world took part in the event along the lakeside, which culminated with a brief but impressive fireworks and laser show which lit up the Jet d’Eau, the 140-metre fountain in the city’s harbour. The colourful fire and light display, meant to symbolise the convergence of the five…

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