Swiss Politics

Switzerland and Egypt begin new chapter in their relations

This content was published on Feb 26, 2000 The Swiss foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, and his Egyptian counterpart, Amr Moussa (pictured) have agreed to lay to rest disputes over the Luxor Massacre of 1997, in which 36 Swiss nationals died. Deiss is on a nine-day tour of the Middle East. Deiss and and his Egyptian counterpart, Amr Moussa, said they were both looking…

Swiss Politics

Petition against planned visit by Austrian Chancellor

This content was published on Feb 26, 2000 The Jewish community in Switzerland has launched a petition calling on the government to delay a planned official visit by the Austrian Chancellor, Wolfgang Schüssel (pictured). The petition was launched in the Jewish weekly, “Israelitisches Wochenblatt”. It asks the Swiss authorities to postpone any visit until the new Austrian government, which includes the far right…

Swiss Politics

Social Democrats call crisis talks

This content was published on Feb 25, 2000 The executive of the Social Democratic Party is to meet next week to try resolve a festering dispute that’s threatening to split the party. The special meeting was called by the management committee of the Social Democrats, one of the four parties represented in government. The party’s spokesman, Jean-Philippe Jeannerat, told a news conference in…

Swiss Politics

Chief of Staff criticises plan to reform secret services

This content was published on Feb 25, 2000 The armed forces chief of staff, Hans-Ulrich Scherrer, has criticised the recommendation by a government-appointed commission that the secret services should be professionalised and placed under civilian control. Scherrer told a news conference in Berne on Friday that the work they did was invaluable and was used as a base for Switzerland’s general view and…

Swiss Politics

Government to press ahead with UN membership plans

This content was published on Feb 25, 2000 The Swiss government has indicated it will go ahead with plans to join the United Nations, even if a people’s initiative on the issue fails to collect the necessary 100,000 signatures. After a special cabinet session, the government said it had decided to launch a comprehensive consultation process within Switzerland in order to present draft…

Swiss Politics

Party leaders meet to decide fate of Social Democrat president

This content was published on Feb 25, 2000 Leaders of the Social Democratic Party are meeting today to decide the future of their president, Ursula Koch (pictured), who is attempting to stay in office despite calls for her resignation. On Thursday, Koch dismissed criticism of her leadership and vowed to stay in office. However, she indicated she was awaiting the decision by party…

Swiss Politics

Deiss begins Middle East tour

This content was published on Feb 24, 2000 The foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, has arrived in Egypt at the start of a nine-day tour of the Middle East, which will also take him to Syria and Lebanon. It’s the first official visit to these countries by a Swiss foreign minister since 1985. Deiss arrived in Cairo several hours later than scheduled, because of…

Swiss Politics

President of Social Democrats holds crucial news conference

This content was published on Feb 24, 2000 The crisis within Switzerland’s largest political party, the Social Democrats, appears to be coming to a head. The party president, Ursula Koch, is holding a news conference today, amid mounting pressure on her to resign. Koch has called the news conference to give her version of a crisis which has been wreaking havoc with party…

Swiss Politics

Parliamentary committee in Strasbourg wants swift ratification of bilaterals

This content was published on Feb 24, 2000 A key committee of the European Parliament in Strasbourg has called for swift ratification of the bilateral accords between Switzerland and the European Union. The committee said on Wednesday it wanted a debate and vote in parliament before a referendum in Switzerland on the accords on May 21. However, the committee for industry, trade, research…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland to receive new Austrian government soon

This content was published on Feb 23, 2000 The Swiss government has confirmed that Austria’s chancellor, Wolfgang Schüssel, and the foreign minister, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, will come to Switzerland on an official visit. The announcement follows weeks of uncertainty as to how to deal with Austria’s new coalition which includes the far-right Freedom Party. A government spokesman said no date had yet been set…

Swiss Politics

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Switzerland and Egypt begin new chapter in their relations

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Petition against planned visit by Austrian Chancellor

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Social Democrats call crisis talks

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Chief of Staff criticises plan to reform secret services

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Government to press ahead with UN membership plans

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Party leaders meet to decide fate of Social Democrat president

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Deiss begins Middle East tour

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President of Social Democrats holds crucial news conference

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Parliamentary committee in Strasbourg wants swift ratification of bilaterals

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Switzerland to receive new Austrian government soon

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