Swiss Politics

Cultural policy takes a new direction

This content was published on Oct 3, 2011 The plan is SFr31.6 million more than the budget proposed by the cabinet and will see significant increases in funding for cinema and the protection of heritage and monuments in particular. But in a put-down to one of Switzerland’s leading cultural bodies, the Swiss arts council Pro Helvetia was denied additional funding despite its argument…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland sends election supplies to Tunisia

This content was published on Oct 2, 2011 The Tunisian elections will coincide with Switzerland’s parliamentary elections on October 23. These will be Tunisia’s first free elections since the fall of ousted President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali in January. “High-quality election materials can help strengthen public confidence in the accuracy of the electoral process,” Swiss foreign ministry spokesman Adrian Sollberger told the NZZ…

Swiss Politics

Red Cross brings supplies to Gaddafi’s hometown

This content was published on Oct 2, 2011 Soldiers loyal to the National Transitional Council (NTC) allowed an ICRC truck to enter the besieged town on Saturday. Civilians have been trapped there as the battle for the 100,000-person town rages on between pro- and anti-Gaddafi forces. The four ICRC workers delivered medical kits to treat the 200 people wounded during the fighting, a…

Swiss Politics

Border tensions stall Serbia-Kosovo progress

This content was published on Oct 1, 2011 Troops from Nato’s Kosovo force (Kfor) and ethnic Serb civilians were among the injured at a disputed border crossing on Tuesday. Switzerland has a contingent of 220 soldiers serving in Kfor, mainly providing logistical support. François Furer, spokesman for the Swiss Armed Forces International Command (Swissint), confirmed to swissinfo.ch that no Swiss were present during…

Swiss Politics

Swiss mull asylum for Iranian opponents

This content was published on Sep 30, 2011 The organisation, which opposes what it calls the “mullahs’ regime” in Iran, was supported by the ousted Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, and had several bases in Iraq when he was in power. However, the current Iraqi government has friendly ties with Iran and wants to get rid of the Mojahedin as soon as possible. The Swiss…

Swiss Politics

Swiss sign deal with Kosovo over prisoners

This content was published on Sep 30, 2011 The government said on Friday that it had approved a bilateral treaty with Kosovo on the issue which is now open for signature. In certain cases the accord allows for a transfer against the will of the person involved, but does not provide for automatic transfers, a Federal Justice Office statement explained. Prisoners would only…

Swiss Politics

Parliament wraps up session and term

This content was published on Sep 30, 2011 Both chambers passed amendments on banking regulations and managed healthcare as well as a SFr870 million ($975 million) stimulus package for the economy to soften the impact on the strong Swiss franc. They also dealt with a number of other issues including family names, education, unemployment insurance and a ban on genital mutilation. The three-week…

Swiss Politics

Return of Ben Ali funds remains a “paradox”

This content was published on Sep 30, 2011 On Wednesday Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey called on the United Nations Security Council to adopt sanctions: this would allow blocked assets linked to the former Ben Ali regime to be confiscated, which in turn would help speed up their return. She made the remarks during a speech in Tunis at a European Union-Tunisia Task…

Swiss Politics

Critics warn of loopholes in new banking rules

This content was published on Sep 29, 2011 While the centrist parties hailed Switzerland’s pioneering role, the political right argued the measures compromised the competitive edge of the financial sector and the left called for further restrictions, notably on investment banking. Ahead of a final vote on the bill on Friday and following tough bargaining between the two chambers over the past autumn…

Swiss Politics

Swiss name ambassador to new Libyan regime

This content was published on Sep 29, 2011 Michel Gottret will take up his duties in Tripoli “as soon as possible”. “Clarifications and preparations are currently under way concerning the re-opening of the Swiss embassy in Tripoli, which had to be closed at the beginning of 2011 for security reasons,” the ministry said in a statement. Gottret, who was born in 1949, entered…

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Cultural policy takes a new direction

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Switzerland sends election supplies to Tunisia

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Red Cross brings supplies to Gaddafi’s hometown

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Border tensions stall Serbia-Kosovo progress

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Swiss mull asylum for Iranian opponents

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Swiss sign deal with Kosovo over prisoners

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Parliament wraps up session and term

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Return of Ben Ali funds remains a “paradox”

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Critics warn of loopholes in new banking rules

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Swiss name ambassador to new Libyan regime

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