Foreign Policy

Migration

Switzerland to Resume Transferring Asylum-Seekers to Italy This Month

After a hiatus of nearly four years, Switzerland will restart the transfer of asylum-seekers to Italy at the end of August. The move, which follows an agreement to gradually resume the process under the Dublin Regulation, marks a significant shift in managing migration flows at the southern border.

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Politics

Political Lines Drawn as Switzerland Debates Future of Neutrality

With a September 27 vote looming, most political parties are rejecting a right-wing initiative to harden Swiss neutrality, arguing it would harm the nation's security and foreign policy flexibility.

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Politics

Political Divide Deepens as Switzerland Debates "Neutrality Initiative" Ahead of Vote

With the September 27th vote approaching, Switzerland's political landscape is split over the "Safeguarding Swiss Neutrality" initiative. While the Swiss People's Party champions the proposal, all other major parties have united in opposition, warning it could jeopardize national security and foreign policy.

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Foreign Policy

The Swiss government has officially joined an international coalition seeking the return of thousands of Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia or Russia-occupied territories since the 2022 invasion.

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Politics

A national referendum will decide whether to embed a stricter definition of 'permanent and armed neutrality' into the Swiss constitution, sparking debate over the country's role in global politics.

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Politics

A planned revamp of Switzerland's foreign aid strategy, which shifts funds toward short-term humanitarian efforts, is raising questions about the country's long-term commitment to democracy promotion, a year after it published guidelines to bolster such support.

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Foreign Policy

A review of Switzerland's recent international activities. EFTA, including Switzerland, signs a free trade agreement with Vietnam; the European Court of Human Rights upholds Switzerland's freeze on Yanukovych-era assets; and Swiss Solidarity raises over CHF 10 million for earthquake victims in Venezuela.

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Foreign Policy

Switzerland is reshaping its international strategy, signing a key memorandum with Indonesia to secure access to critical raw materials vital for the tech industry. This move coincides with the Federal Council's new cooperation strategy which will withdraw from Latin America to focus on Africa and Asia, prioritizing humanitarian aid and strengthening economic partnerships in key regions.

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Politics

The Swiss government is reorienting its armed forces to focus more strongly on defense capabilities, particularly against hybrid threats. As part of this strategic shift, Switzerland will also station a new defence attaché in Warsaw, Poland, from mid-2027 to improve early threat assessment in northeastern Europe.

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Foreign Policy

Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding, the US and Iran will convene at the Bürgenstock resort for detailed peace negotiations. Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has affirmed Switzerland's central role in facilitating the upcoming discussions, which aim to resolve a conflict that has caused significant global economic disruption.

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Politics

Ten years after the UK's Brexit vote, the 'Swiss model' of bilateral agreements with the European Union is once again under intense scrutiny. While some in Britain look to Switzerland for a path to closer EU ties, the European Council itself is calling for the relationship to be fundamentally updated, arguing the current framework is inadequate for today's challenges.

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Diplomacy

In a major diplomatic development, Switzerland will leverage its tradition of neutrality to host the signing of a peace memorandum between the United States and Iran at the Bürgenstock resort, with further talks planned in Geneva.

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Parliament

The Swiss Senate has backed a motion calling on the government to open negotiations with Brussels for a formal security and defence agreement, signaling a significant step towards closer military cooperation with the European Union.

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Parliament

The Swiss parliament has made two key decisions reinforcing its international role, approving an increase in soldiers for the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo and allocating CHF58.3 million for participation in EU research programmes like Horizon Europe.

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Military

In a move to strengthen digital defense capabilities, the Swiss Armed Forces are participating in a three-week NATO exercise in Poland, focusing on secure communication and tactical networking with experts from 40 other nations.

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Foreign Policy

The Swiss foreign ministry has co-signed a declaration expressing deep concern over the dramatic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, calling for unimpeded aid access and urging Israel to reconsider a new registration system for NGOs.

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Swiss Politics

Swiss citizens will vote on September 27th on a popular initiative to constitutionally redefine and strengthen the nation's neutrality. The ballot measure, propelled by the right-wing Swiss People's Party, forces a national debate on a cornerstone of Swiss foreign policy amid rising geopolitical tensions.

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Foreign Policy

The Swiss parliament has approved a bilateral agreement enabling Swiss companies to participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine. The framework allows for 'tied aid', where funds are paid directly to Swiss firms for projects, a measure intended to promote private sector involvement while controlling for corruption risks.

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Politics

Swiss voters will decide the future of the country's long-standing neutrality in a national referendum on September 27th. A popular initiative seeks to enshrine a stricter definition of neutrality in the constitution, a move with significant geopolitical implications.

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