International cooperation to be boosted around Lake Constance
Swiss President Ignazio Cassis has announced plans for an intergovernmental committee to strengthen decades-old cooperation between regions around Lake Constance.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/jc
Русский
ru
Сотрудничество стран Боденского озера будет укрепляться
This came as he attended a meeting on FridayExternal link on Mount Säntis, northeast Switzerland, of the International Lake Constance Conference (IBK) to mark its 50th anniversary. The organisation currently groups cantons and federal states from four countries around the lake: Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein.
The idea is to boost the existing regional platform with an intergovernmental commission from the foreign ministries of the four countries. “At the request of the heads of government represented in the IBK and in close consultation with the foreign ministries of Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein, the FDFA [Swiss foreign ministry] will be holding a pilot meeting in early summer,” according to the foreign ministry, which Cassis heads as minister.
Cassis, who took over the revolving Swiss presidency on January 1, met on the sidelines of Friday’s meeting with Liechtenstein’s prime minister, Daniel Risch. “Both agreed that the Covid-19 pandemic clearly shows how important good and close cooperation among neighbouring countries is,” says the Swiss foreign ministry press release.
Chaired by the Swiss canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Friday’s IBK event addressed “several of the neighbouring countries and region’s cross-border concerns, including efforts to tackle the pandemic, vocational training, transport and energy,” it says.
Hundreds of Saint Bernard dogs gather in Switzerland for world competition
This content was published on
Over a hundred Saint Bernards have descended on Martigny, in canton Valais to kick off the World Union of Saint Bernard Clubs competition.
Giacometti lamp tops million-franc mark in Geneva auction
This content was published on
A “Tête de femme” floor lamp by Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti topped the million-franc mark at a Piguet auction in Geneva.
UN rights expert criticises Swiss pressure in trade negotiations
This content was published on
The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food has accused EFTA countries of pressuring Thailand and Malaysia in trade deals.
Switzerland gives CHF60 million to Ukraine for digitalisation
This content was published on
The Swiss government has agreed to give war-ravaged Ukraine CHF58.7 million ($65.5 million) towards the digitalisation of its public administration.
Three people arrested in Switzerland in international drug gang crackdown
This content was published on
International co-operation led to 17 people being arrested in six European countries and large quantities of drugs also being seized.
Federal Council banks on R&D to strengthen Swiss solar industry
This content was published on
The Swiss government opposes the deployment of special industrial policy or measures to help boost the domestic photovoltaic industry.
Swiss president envisions follow-ups to peace summit
This content was published on
Swiss President Viola Amherd hopes the first Ukraine peace conference will build trust and seek solutions for safety and security issues.
This content was published on
With use of drugs such as crack on the rise, the government wants to invest in additional facilities for people suffering from addiction.
Alleged French spy tied to Swiss NGO arrested in Russia
This content was published on
The man, who Russia has claimed was trying to obtain information about the Russian military, was confirmed to be a French citizen working for a Geneva-based NGO.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.