Swiss Politics

Ogi argues case for approval of EU treaties

This content was published on Feb 16, 2000 The Swiss president, Adolf Ogi, has made a strong appeal to the people to ratify the bilateral accords with the European Union when they come to the vote in May. “We have to win this referendum”, he said at a news conference in Berne. Ogi effectively launched the public campaign over the seven accords after…

Swiss Politics

Commission says asylum procedures “too slow”

This content was published on Feb 15, 2000 A key federal commission says the time taken to process requests for asylum must be cut down to six months. The proposal was one of a package of measures put forward by the Federal Refugee Commission at a news conference in Berne. The commission said that when the process drags on for too long it…

Swiss Politics

Ogi calls for army to take more international role

This content was published on Feb 14, 2000 The Swiss president and defence minister, Adolf Ogi (pictured), has urged the Swiss army to abandon its purely defensive role by helping Switzerland open up to the world in the course of the next decade. “The army allowed Switzerland to cross the 20th century, a century of blood and war. Now the army must help…

Swiss Politics

New Austrian chancellor may be coming to Switzerland

This content was published on Feb 9, 2000 The Austrian Chancellor, Wolfgang Schüssel (pictured), is intending to stick to a tradition whereby the heads of a new government come to Switzerland as their first foreign destination. The proposed visit could provoke controversy. A spokesman for the Chancellor in Vienna said it would be good if the tradition could be maintained as a sign…

Swiss Politics

Swiss parliamentarians discuss EU bilateral treaty in Brussels

This content was published on Feb 9, 2000 Swiss parliamentarians, including Christine Beerli (pictured), have held talks in Brussels with members of the European Parliament on the ratification of Switzerland’s bilateral treaty with the EU. After the meeting, the Swiss delegation, headed by Beerli, a leading member of the Radical Party, said they had explained the political process the treaty has to undergo…

Swiss Politics

Swiss parliamentarians discuss EU bilateral treaty in Brussels

This content was published on Feb 8, 2000 Representatives of the Swiss and European parliaments are meeting today to discuss ratification of Switzerland’s bilateral treaty with the European Union. Six Swiss parliamentarians, headed by a leading member of the Radical Party, Christine Beerli, are holding talks with members of the European Parliament in Brussels. The delegation will be stressing the importance of the…

Swiss Politics

Young Swiss change into army uniforms

This content was published on Feb 7, 2000 More than 10,000 young people have begun their basic training courses in the Swiss militia army.Over the next 15 weeks they will be given training in one of over 40 different centres around the country. As of this Monday, more than 10,500 young people have joined the Swiss army to do their basic training courses…

Swiss Politics

Rwandan asylum-seekers face repatriation

This content was published on Feb 7, 2000 Refugees from Rwanda whose requests for asylum in Switzerland have been rejected can now be sent home. The federal refugee office said it had changed its policy after re-evaluating the situation in Rwanda. It said 160 people were affected by the decision. So far, Rwandan refugees whose case had been dismissed, have been allowed to…

Swiss Politics

Deiss says bilateral accords with EU under threat

This content was published on Feb 6, 2000 The foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, has expressed concern that the row between Austria and the European Union could taint the debate over the bilateral treaty between Switzerland and the EU. His comments came just days after two small right-wing parties collected enough signatures to force a referendum on the treaty later this year. The Swiss…

Swiss Politics

Dreifuss attacks new Austrian government

This content was published on Feb 5, 2000 The interior minister, Ruth Dreifuss, has attacked the formation of the new government in Austria as a cynical game played by power-hungry politicians. Her comments came one day after the swearing-in of a new Austrian government that includes the far-right Freedom Party. Dreifuss said in an interview on Swiss-German radio that the cynicism shown by…

Swiss Politics

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