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Swiss Politics

“Integration is an economic opportunity”

This content was published on Oct 9, 2008 Speaking at an international conference on the issue in Lucerne, Widmer-Schlumpf said the entire country shared responsibility for integration. “I am convinced that integration, if managed resourcefully, is an investment for the future that can bring benefits for everyone – not only Swiss citizens and the Swiss economy, but also the 1.5 million people who…

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Swiss Politics

Asylum applications rise again

This content was published on Oct 9, 2008 More than 4,400 applications have been handed in, according to the Federal Migration Office, making a total so far this year of 10,351 – up 29.4 per cent on 2007. The largest number of asylum seekers came from Eritrea, with 704, followed by Somalia, 551, and Serbia and Kosovo, 405. By contrast, the number of…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss ready for role in Georgia

This content was published on Oct 8, 2008 Couchepin met Medvedev for 30 minutes of separate talks during the World Policy Conference in Evian, France on Wednesday. The pair also discussed the global financial crisis and international situation as well as their countries’ bilateral relations. Russia formally requested Switzerland’s representation in Georgia after ties to the former Soviet republic of Georgia were severed…

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Swiss Politics

US “backburner constituents” voice concerns

This content was published on Oct 8, 2008 swissinfo attended a dinner in Geneva organised by the American Citizens Abroad (ACA) organisation to gauge the concerns of United States expats less than one month ahead of the presidential vote. The evening began in a party atmosphere at the Hotel Richemond in Geneva on Saturday evening as a group of 60 Americans met to…

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Swiss Politics

Disability insurance scheme stuck in the red

This content was published on Oct 7, 2008 The fund paid out almost SFr11.9 billion last year, an increase of 3.9 per cent on 2006. Some 20,000 more people qualified for some level of assistance. The latest figures released by the Federal Statistics Office show that 40,000 monthly benefit recipients live abroad. Some SFr6.5 billion was spent on fixed payments, on average SFr1,767…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss calls for more security in Georgia

This content was published on Oct 6, 2008 Swiss law professor Walter Kälin, who has just returned from a four-day trip to Georgia, told swissinfo that while he was “cautiously optimistic” about people returning home, the ongoing militia violence and looting in the buffer zones were “inacceptable”. On Monday Russian forces stepped up preparations to withdraw from bases and checkpoints surrounding two separatist…

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Swiss Politics

EU labour treaty goes to third public ballot

This content was published on Oct 6, 2008 Small rightwing groups collected the necessary signatures for a nationwide vote likely to take place next February. The Federal Chancellery confirmed on Monday that the youth wing of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party, the Lega dei Ticinesi and the far-right Swiss Democrats handed in 51,348 valid signatures last week, enough to force a referendum. The…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss-aided Tajikistan stands at a crossroads

This content was published on Oct 6, 2008 Corruption and a fragile political situation are posing problems not only for Swiss aid but also for many national and international development organisations in the capital, Dushanbe. The boulevards of Dushanbe are shaded by sycamore, poplar and maple trees. All around are Soviet buildings, monuments of Tajik heroes, lush herbaceous borders and large fountains. Posters…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss brave criticism for Lebanese coexistence

This content was published on Oct 5, 2008 Mario Aoun made the comment in the context of the three-day visit to Lebanon of Swiss President Pascal Couchepin, which ended on Sunday. Couchepin told his Lebanese counterpart, Michel Sleimane, that Switzerland supports Lebanon in its efforts to achieve national reconciliation and was ready to give assistance if requested. Sleimane came to office just over…

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Swiss Politics

Couchepin visits “Switzerland of the Middle East”

This content was published on Oct 5, 2008 Couchepin returned home on Sunday after a three-day visit to Lebanon, which was once nicknamed “the Switzerland of the Middle East”. “If the different communities in Lebanon cannot live together in peace, that would be a major failure for the whole of mankind,” Couchepin told his Lebanese counterpart, Michel Sleimane. Security was extremely tight during…

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