Swiss Politics

Swisscoy decorated for efforts in Kosovo

This content was published on Mar 12, 2000 The Swiss peacekeeping contingent in Kosovo, Swisscoy, has been awarded a medal in recognition of its efforts in the province. Swisscoy forms part of the multinational peacekeeping force, Kfor. Its members include military engineers, carpenters and mechanics. During their tour of duty, Swisscoy soldiers have taken part in a number of important projects, including the…

Swiss Politics

Direct democracy takes centre stage

This content was published on Mar 11, 2000 The Swiss people have been balloted in five separate national votes today. At stake have been proposals on justice reform, fertility treatment, traffic reduction, streamlining democracy, and improving female representation. The referendum on justice reform is the only one of the five votes to have been put forward by the government. Preliminary forecasts also suggest…

Swiss Politics

Israel warms to offer of peace summit in Switzerland

This content was published on Mar 11, 2000 Israel’s foreign minister, David Levy, has welcomed Switzerland’s offer to host a trilateral summit to take forward the Middle East peace process. After talks with his Swiss counterpart, Joseph Deiss, he said Switzerland was well suited to such a role. Relations between Switzerland and Israel seem to be on the mend, following a meeting in…

Swiss Politics

The week in Switzerland

This content was published on Mar 10, 2000 A controversial visit by the Austrian foreign minister and a key move towards Swiss membership of the United Nations were two of the stories that made the headlines in Switzerland this week. The visit to Berne by Austria’s foreign minister, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, was intended to stress the good neighbourly relations that Switzerland and Austria traditionally…

New body to represent Switzerland abroad gains parliamentary approval

This content was published on Mar 9, 2000 Parliament has backed a new project aimed at promoting Switzerland’s image abroad. An agency, called Presence Switzerland, will cooperate with embassies, consulates, business and cultural institutions. The Senate overwhelmingly approved the new promotion agency, which will have its annual budget topped up from SFr2.4 million to about SFr15 million within the next three years. Presence…

Swiss Politics

Proposals to cut asylum spending

This content was published on Mar 9, 2000 A government-appointed committee has proposed measures to cut spending on asylum seekers and to make the process more efficient. The measures include penalising those who conceal their identities. The committee’s recommendations are two-pronged. It suggests rewarding asylum seekers who cooperate with the authorities and providing incentives for cantons to streamline the asylum process. Jean-Daniel Gerber,…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland and Austria stress friendly relations despite protests

This content was published on Mar 8, 2000 The Austrian foreign minister, Benita Ferrero-Waldner (pictured), has completed her first official visit to Switzerland. Her presence was greeted with protests outside the Swiss parliament, despite the traditional good relations between the two countries. Demonstrators protesting in Berne at Ferrero-Waldner’s visit said they wanted to show that there was a ground swell of feeling against…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland puts brakes on EU doctors

This content was published on Mar 8, 2000 The Swiss House of Representatives has put the brakes on a further opening up of Switzerland to medical practitioners from the European Union. To combat a surfeit of doctors, the House adopted a temporary licensing system in which local authorities would have to prove that only an EU doctor could be found to fill a…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland and Austria stress friendly relations despite protests

This content was published on Mar 8, 2000 Protests have marked a visit to Switzerland by Austria’s foreign minister, Benita Ferrero-Waldner. Demostrations were held in the capital, Berne, and security was stepped up at Austrian diplomatic missions. Ferrero-Waldner met Switzerland’s foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, (picutre) at a government villa outside Berne for official talks on bilateral relations and discussions on the new Austrian…

Swiss Politics

Swiss naturalisation practices in the spotlight

This content was published on Mar 8, 2000 The manner in which Swiss nationality is granted to foreigners has come under attack, in the wake of a controversial practice introduced in the industrial town of Emmenbrücke. Swiss residents of the town will vote on individual applicants, after consulting details of their lifestyle and background in a special brochure (see picture). Switzerland has the…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Swisscoy decorated for efforts in Kosovo

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Direct democracy takes centre stage

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Israel warms to offer of peace summit in Switzerland

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The week in Switzerland

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New body to represent Switzerland abroad gains parliamentary approval

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Proposals to cut asylum spending

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Switzerland and Austria stress friendly relations despite protests

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Switzerland puts brakes on EU doctors

More

Switzerland and Austria stress friendly relations despite protests

More

Swiss naturalisation practices in the spotlight

Popular Stories

Most Discussed